2007-04-29 15:22:51 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
The risk of certain cancers gets higher every time that a female goes into heat, and since she should go into heat at least once before she goes to heat the chances will be higher.
2007-04-29 15:28:45 · answer #1 · answered by iluvmyfrenchbulldogs 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As compared to what? The risk is higher than if spayed before a litter. The risk is lower than not being spayed at all. The exceptions pertain the the removed organs. They will never get cancer.
In the end, it is a personal choice. Would you have an organ removed because it might get cancer some day? Then again, you are not a dog which is personal property as well as being a living creature. It's your money and your risk. It's up to you.
2007-04-29 22:31:55 · answer #2 · answered by Jack 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, the chance of Mammary cancer increases with each heat cycle the dog goes through because the cancer is influenced by hormones. If you spay her before she goes into heat or before she has a litter, her chances of reproductive cancers are way less.
2007-04-29 22:31:14 · answer #3 · answered by lshs91 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the increase in cancer rate, but there is a greatly increased chance that the puppies will end up in the pound if you let your dog have a litter at all. And if you could have avoided it, then you are responsible. There are hundreds of thousands of unwanted pets in this country. Do yourself a favor, and have your dog spayed now.
2007-04-29 22:28:44 · answer #4 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, spaying only takes the uterus. Its almost directly what a hysterectomy is for a woman. There is no increase in cancer in women with a hysterectomy. However there is a direct correlation between hormone replacement therapy and cancer. I seriously doubt you cat will be on hormones. In any event all cats and dogs should be fixed due to the # of wild animals there and the high # of animals put down because the shelter cant keep them all. My local shelter has a catch/fix/shots and release program to help keep the # of wild cats born.
2007-04-29 22:31:59 · answer #5 · answered by sweet sue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you spay your dog before she first goes into heat, you practically eliminate the risk of reproductive cancer. I don't know any exact statistics on after the first litter, but the longer she goes unspayed the risk of cancer increases. Get her spayed asap!
2007-04-29 22:49:30 · answer #6 · answered by Surf Forever 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard that.. but I've heard that the risk is slight. Also, the benefit of waiting until the dog has been through one or two heats is that their bones and joints have more time to develop with all the hormones in them. It's like ppl going through puberty, all of the hormones help with growth. So the general thought is that it may be worth the slight cancer risk to wait that way the bones and joints (a more common problem) grow better... i'm not sure how acctually have a litter effects cancer risks.. I've just heard it about letting the dog go into heat.
2007-04-29 22:35:34 · answer #7 · answered by timesdragonfly 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, unfortunately, it's true. The risk of developing cancer increases with each heat cycle the dog has.
2007-04-29 22:29:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't know if this helps, but a vet friend of ours said that spaying a female before she was pregnant reduced her chance of getting cancer of the mammary glands.
2007-04-29 22:32:16 · answer #9 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is true...actually each time a dog has a heat cycle the risk goes higher.
2007-04-30 06:47:55 · answer #10 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋