To desex or not to desex...?

Question

I have a one yr old Labrador, she's not fixed, and I doubt if i'll ever breed her. I really don't care to or want to get her fixed. But if I do, does it modify their behaviour? Will she forever think i'm the evil cuss who had her cut and bury all clothes off the line in the garden and leave presents in my shoes??

Answer 1

"Will she forever think i'm the evil cuss who had her cut and bury all clothes off the line in the garden and leave presents in my shoes??"

If she's a Labrador, she's going to do that anyway. LOL.

Ok....*puts on serious face now*....

She'll enjoy the "happy drugs" she'll be given...so not to worry about her holding any sort of a grudge against you. She might actually thank you. ;-)

Here are some of the things that will happen in her life if you go ahead and get her spayed:

1. Reduced risk of malignant breast cancer when she's older. (Risk is reduced to almost zero if the surgery is done before her first heat cycle, but is still significantly lessened if done after the first or second heat. If you spay her after about 2 yrs of age, you've forfeited that benefit.) Malignant breast cancer is VERY common in older, unspayed (or late-spayed) female dogs. I saw 2 cases euthanized just this week. Sad. They were both less than 10 years old. Could have easily been prevented, and they could have lived several more good years. The families were in tears...but they could have prevented it.
2. Elimination of the possibility of ovarian cancer, since the ovaries are removed.
3. Elimination of the possibility of uterine cancer, since it is also removed. (On RARE occasions, cervical cancer can still happen....but it's almost unheard-of.)
4. Elimination of the possibility of a severe hormone imbalance after heat cycles that causes false pregnancies, and all the related medical issues that creates along with it.
5. Elimination of the possibility of a fatal-if-left-untreated (by a not-always-survivable emergency surgery) uterine infection called pyometra...which is VERY common in older, unspayed females shortly after their heat cycles. Risk goes up with each subsequent cycle. If breast cancer doesn't get her, this probably will.
6. Drastic reduction in the odds of ever getting mastitis.
7. Elimination of the mess and annoyance of her heat cycles...since dogs don't go through menopause like women, they'll keep having them well into their senior years if left unspayed.
8. Elimination of the possibility of accidental pregnancy, which is almost inevitable if left unspayed. Those pesky hormones always seem to find a way to get males and females together, despite their owners' best intentions. It's sad to see a geriatric pregnant female. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place. She might not survive the pregnancy...but she also might not also survive being spayed at that age.
9. She'll be happier....she won't feel that strong instinctive urge to mate without being able to do anything about it, with the associated behavioral problems that causes.
10. Dogs who are spayed (especially at a young age) commonly live MUCH longer lives, and with fewer health problems during their lifetimes, than their unspayed counterparts.
11. Dogs who are spayed get into fights and get hit by cars at a FRACTION of the rate of unspayed dogs. For every 20 unspayed dogs who fall into that category, we might see only 1 spayed dog who does.

Does that help?

Signed,
The Nasty, Evil Vet
(*winks at cwhl*)

Answer 2

Ha! Why do you believe her nipples will go saggy! Anyway, desexing wont make her change personality clever and nipple smart. Bear in mind she remains to be a pup, and is prob very playfull, and she'll relax as she gets older and be much less playful regardless. When she's desexed she can protect your loved ones just the same, and you could take her to the park with out each male canine hassling her! There are not any dangerous side effects, she wont even be aware of what occurred to her. The only cause you wouldnt get a dog desexed used to be should you desired to breed.

Answer 3

So far as I know dogs don't hold grudges. From what I've read she will be better off by being spayed. Do you really want to go thru that dog in heat mess twice a year? Besides what do you do if she should get out while she's in heat? Then you land up with puppies of unknown background and you may not want to go through the effort of finding homes for them. The other thing about dogs that are not spayed is they tend to develop mammary cancers and they can be both painful and fatal to the dog and expensive for you to have that problem fixed. How much do you care for your dog? If you really care for her get her fixed. There may even be low-cost spay neuter clinics in your area. Check at places like Petco or Petsmart they usually have info on places like this. The one in my area does an outstanding job and you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to get the surgery done. None of my animals has gotten strange after spay or nueter surgery. They tend to calm down a little bit more after their hormone levels drop but that's all I've ever seen happen.

LL

Answer 4

Ha! why do you suppose her nipples will pass dishevelled! Anyway, desexing wont make her difference character intelligent and nipple intelligent. Remember she continues to be a doggy, and is prob very playfull, and he or she'll loosen up as she will get older and be much less playful regardless. When she's desexed she will be able to defend your household simply the equal, and you'll be able to take her to the park with out each male puppy hassling her! There are not any unhealthy part results, she wont even realize what occurred to her. The best intent you wouldnt get a puppy desexed used to be for those who desired to reproduce.

Answer 5

Does she think you are the evil cuss who takes her to the vet to get her shots? if so, then you might want to have a heart to heart with her about it, and hide your shoes!!!! :-)

Most dogs sort of "mellow" out when they have been fixed. Personally, I would not have an un-neutered or spayed animal any more. I love little puppies and kittens, but since it is unrealistic to think I can keep them all, and I'm VERY particular about the homes they go to, then it's just better for me. Unless you have her papered and she is "show quality" and don't want a house full of mixed pups running around, then go ahead and get her spayed. When you bring her home, give her LOTS of loving attention and don't feel guilty about it. She will soon forget and will be a loving lab for many years to come.

Answer 6

That is only a choice u can make. If u do not plan on breeding her, then I would say go for it, and have her fixed. It will change her behavior a little, she will eat more and put on some weight, but if u do not wish to breed her, then it is worth it in the end. She will not think evil of u, she will love u no matter what!

Answer 7

First of all, you are not desexing your dog. It's just a spay, she's still all girl.
If you love her and want her to live a long time, then get the spay done. It protects against ovarian cancer and other ailments and helps control the pet population.
Her behavior won't change, she'll still be sweet and lovable. She won't connect anything to you and blame you. She won't understand that she was spayed. But she will be happy and healthy and have a good life with you.
If she leaves presents in your shoes then put your shoes out of reach.

Answer 8

I think she'd appreciate it. Animals in heat have a way of getting out and attracting other animals. Do the world a favor and take her out of the breeding cycle. There are too many unwanted dogs and cats already and a spayed dog is a happy dog.

Answer 9

Please get your dog spayed. She won't hold it against you or even know what happened. Her personality won't change. Maybe you don't want to breed her, but what if she goes into heat and runs off? There will be a lot of unwanted puppies who may end up having a very bad home, no home, or being euthanized. It's not expensive, it takes minimal time and commitment from you. Just do it.

Answer 10

She will love you until the day she dies if you love and provide for her. If you want her to live a long and healthy life get her spayed. Female animals who are not spayed often get cancer-either in their uterus or their mammary glands. Or they get and infection in their uterus where the pus either drains-- your lucky if it does-- or it doesnt and just builds up and bursts if not caught on time.
There is also the risk of unwanted puppies, and strange male dogs hanging around your house. It won't change who she is it might make her more relaxed because she wont be interested in going off to find a male.
It really is for the best, remember, your not the one who is spaying her... the nasty evil vet is. your just the one who comes to rescue her from the clinic at the end of the day!