Spaying

[saint suzy]

Can anyone tell me if haveing your bitch spayed is good or bad?

[Karen]

Spaying is both good for the dog's health, and good for the world around her, in that it eliminates any chance of "accidental" puppies. See http://www.doghause.com/neuter01.html for more specifics - it says it all!

[AdoreMyDogs]

Spaying is not only good for the health of the dog, (overian (sp?) cancer and cancer of the mammory glands (nipples) are far more common in un-spayed bitches. But it will save you lots of mess: bitches in heat will bleed, and chances are they will "scoot" and get blood on everything. You must keep panties on her while she's in heat. It's also good for your sanity: bitches in heat will "draw a croud" and by that I mean they will attract every male dog in a huge range(both neutered and intact) and you will have to be chasing off males who want to meet your female.

I am sure you are aware of the horrible over population situation and it's because of unresponsible breeders/owners who are hugely at fault.

Spaying is the way to go. It's a quick surgery, but the benefits are endless.

[carrie]

A bitch that has been speyed (spayed) will never have another season. This means, as mentioned above, no more bleeding, no males hanging around and no ovarian cancer. It also means the risk of mammary tumours is reduced to almost nil. False pregnancy is no longer a worry along with the emotional upset this causes. Pyometra, infection of the womb, is eliminated. This condition affects many entire bitches in middle to late life. If you are lucky you will see the signs early, most cases result in full hysterectomy of an older bitch less able to cope with the risks of surgery. Many people overlook the fact that the bitch is sometimes overcome by the hormones raging through her body and she is the one intent on escape during her receptive days of heat. Any mating if not fully prepared for is an emotional and costly disaster, both for the bitch and pups and for you in time, money and heartache.
At the end of the day why put your dog through the emotional turmoil every six months? Remember that if noticeable false pregnancy appears the bitch may be an emotional mess for up to three months after the season. If not noticeable the bitch still has some degree of hormone imbalance and emotional upset. It is not natural for the species to be in heat over and over and not have the normal repercussions of that, if you get what I mean. If you let nature take it's course you are still creating a situation fraught with problems. In the wild dogs will breed to the food supply - in the domestic situation food is not a problem. Therefore reproduction is quick and succesful. You will end up with lots of healthy pups with no where to go but the local shelters and they already have their hands full.
Unless you bought the bitch with clear plans to breed and have a suitable stud, along with all the medical details and pedigree information for both potential parents, good homes for at least six or seven pups, money to spend that you don't have to worry about and have a clear idea of the health implications for your pet then speying is the best thing all round.
There are so many dogs around the world in need and we, as a species, created this problem situation. It is up to us to solve it and short of banning dog ownership a solution must be found within the dog owner community. Please give all animals that are not vital breeding stock a special gift by taking away half their frustrations and emotional turmoil for life.
Sorry for going on but this is a vital issue and the more dogs owned by the general public in any country, the more problems and conflicts will ensue and the more local and national governments will be pressured into taking action. Save your dogs before it becomes an issue and train, socialise, train and stop puppies being born that have no good homes to go to and train! Spaying and neutering is vital.

[lhg0962]

My veterinarian told me very early that if I didn't plan to breed my dogs (both female) that I should have them spayed before their first heat. He suggested doing it and five months old and I did that very thing with both of them. He said it would prevent numerous problems that the others have already mentioned. They would both have made wonderful mothers and I know they would have had lovely puppies! But, I know how much work puppies are and I didn't get them to breed them. I got them to love, and believe me I do love them! I could never have survived the mess of them going into heat, let alone puppies!
If you aren't a "breeder", get that girl fixed now. You'll be so glad.
That's my two cents worth.
Logan

[This message has been edited by lhg0962 (edited December 15, 2000).]

[Margrete]

We're having our six month old Miniature Schnauzer spayed tomorrow morning. We've always had our other bitches spayed earlier because we had males in the house. This time we waited a little longer but just have noticed physical changes that indicate she will soon be coming into heat - with 3 intact males - a 120 lb Rottie, a bulldog and a Collie mix on the other side of the fence we decided not to wait any longer. All of the benefits mentioned by the other folks are so true - and we didn't get her to breed her - just to love her. She is purebred with AKC papers but that doesn't mean she should be bred. If my husband and I decide she needs a pal we'll find her one - right now she is happy with just us!!

[Margrete]

Well, Molly's spaying went well altho the Vet forgot to give her the "no jumping, no running, no leaping" talk before he discharged her!! She was a little groggy when we picked her up and slept most of that evening - by morning she was back to her usual self. It is unbelievable how quickly animals recover from major surgery!! She had no post op problems other than my husband and I trying to tone down her behaviour!! Her incision looks great and has healed really well (I'm an RN) -wish my patients were able to recover so well!!

[KYS]

Margrete,

Glad Molly's spaying went well. : )

[saint suzy]

Hi again thanks for all the advice about spaying. I have a Saint Bernard called Jenny by the way, she is two and a half and we got her from the Saint Bernard Trust. I have had two dog Saints before this is my first bitch and no I never got her to breed her just to love her. I never new how much better it would be for her to be spayed before I asked you dog lovers thanks. I was told she had had her last season in September so my vet was going to spay her last week but when I had left her at the vets and came home a
couple of hours later I got a phone call
from the vet who told me that Jenny was all swollen and due for her next season within the next couple of weeks so they couldn't do to opperation. They have told me to wait until she drops a few drops of blood (which means she has come into season) and then phone them and then I have to wait two months after that before she can be spayed.
Please can you tell me if it is best if I keep her in while she is in season?
I have had a phone call from the trut who have a Saint dog that needs a home and they have advised me that I could have him three weeks after Jenny has been in season, What do you think? I am worried about Jenny because of the big opperation she needs and also when I picked her up from the vets she had had a pre med and all day Jenny kept on crying.I want what is best for Jenny.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

I agree with all of the answers above. Every pet we have ever owned has been spayed.
They really are the better for it. We don't need any more puppies sent to the shelter.
I know if I had ever let my Schnauzer have pups I could never have parted with them.
We have both a female Schnauzer and a male
Schnauzer and they are both neutered. Our daughter and our son also each have two Schnauzers and they are all neutered. If you wanted her for a loving friend and companion, do the right thing an have her spayed.

[Karen]

It is probably best for everyone if you do not let her out unattended while she is in season. The female Saint Bernards my family has had both were spayed. Freckles, the big galoot, tried to play up her tummy-scar for sympathy for months, but really, she and Bruni each did fine with the surgery, no complications, fairly quick recovery. Good luck with Suzy, how nice that you rescued her!

[schnauzle]

If your dog is simply a family pet and is spoiled into thinking she is human I would definite spay or nueter. It is less worry on having to contain your female that is in season, Our female rott has always gotten kind of kooky, and acts like a down-out-right space case when its that time. Spaying keeps bad habits(male wandering dogs)away for the most part. We live on 3 acres and we allowed two litter of puupies in 4 years then both mom and dad were you know fixed..Best thing we could have ever done for our male and female.