Originally posted by ellensy
since this thread is about spaying and neutering.....i'd like to ask something......

1. what's the main purpose for spaying/neutering?
2. does it affects the health of the dog?
3. all my dogs are females, still, do i need to have them spayed? what are the consequences if i do not have them spayed?

Thanks!

Here are the answers, to the best of my knowledge (and opinion):


1. The main purpose of spaying/neutering is, of course, to prevent unwanted litters. HOWEVER, to me the more important issue is the animal's health. Female dogs who remain unspayed their whole lives have a VERY high risk of getting canine breast cancer!! Also, the risk of a bitch dying while birthing can also be quite high under certain circumstances. Who would want to risk their beloved female dog's life? As for the boys, neutering effectively removes their instinct to roam around in search of a female, which therefore eliminates their need to escape from safe surroundings to less safe environs, i.e. highways, etc. In conclusion, spaying/neutering is the right thing to do for both sexes, because it basically gives them a better chance at a longer life!!

2. I have had both male and female dogs, all fixed, and they spaying/neutering did not negatively affect their health whatsoever. On the contrary!! The operation may lead to their being "laid up" for a couple of days or so, but most dogs seem to speed through the healing process with flying colors. I think the ideas of spayed/neutered dogs getting fatter and/or lazier after having the surgery is mostly a myth.

3. YES!! Your females should definitely be spayed. You just never know when a willing male might be waiting for them....!! But more importantly, as mentioned above, the consequences for NOT getting them spayed can include breast cancer (the risk of them getting this disease gets higher with every heat they go through), as well as uterine cancer and uterine infections. I'm sure your vet could provide you with more details on these illnesses. Please have your dogs spayed...your girls will surely thank you for it!!