What do you mean by spaying a dog? or "a dog is in heat"?

Question

This obviously shows that i'm a first-timer at this... I asked a previous question about my dog's bleeding vagina and many people said i should have her "spayed" because she's in "heat".. what do these terms mean? what happens if i don't get here spayed? what happens if i do?


oh and sorry if my question is a little stupid... like i said, this is my first time...

Answer 1

What is Spaying?:
Spaying, also called an Ovariohysterectomy, removes the uterus and ovaries of a female animal, preventing estrus entirely.

Spaying is the only sure way to prevent pregnancy in female dogs or cats.

Early age spaying, before the dog reaches her first heat cycle, can almost entirely eliminate the risk of certain cancers and infections. Waiting until after her first heat increases the risk significantly, as much as 50% by the age of two. Please spay your female pets.
What are the Health Benefits?:
Spaying before the first heat can nearly remove the risk of mammary tumours in female dogs if spayed before their first heat.

False pregnancies are eliminated, and all their resulting stress.

Early spaying prevents ovarian and uterine tumours.

Uterine infections are also completely prevented.

Spaying prevents accidental pregnancies and the attendant risks involved.
What are the Behavioral Benefits?:
A spayed female is much more comfortable than her unaltered peers.

By removing her hormone-producing ovaries, you also remove the mood swings that can make your female seem ... well ... cranky
There will be no more bloodstains on the carpet or bedding.

No more male dogs trying to break down your fence to reach her.
http://dogs.about.com/cs/disableddogs/p/spaying.htm

As Isaid before, there are many good reasons for having her spayed. Good luck...

Answer 2

Nothing wrong with not knowing the terms if you're a first-timer.

'Going in to heat' or 'being in season' means a dog is experiencing her oestrus cycle, i.e ovulating. It is not the same as a human 'period', people often get these two things confused - human periods occur at the end of ovulation when the unused egg is flushed away. When b itches are in heat they are ready to accept a male dog for mating and become pregnant. Heat cycles can occur anything from one to five times a year, depending on the breed of the dog (the larger the dog, the less frequently they come in to season). Females may leak some blood and discharge from the vulva during pregnancy, but nowhere near as much as a female human's period.

Spaying is the act or surgically removing a female animal's ovaries and uterus so she cannot reproduce. It can also be referred to as 'neutering' which is the generic term for both spaying and castration (male op where the testicles are removed). The correct surgical term is ovariohysterectomy.

It is preferable to get a female dog spayed, not only to prevent the production of unwanted puppies (even if the puppies find good homes they're taking up spaces desperately needed for the overpopulation of dogs awaiting homes in shelters) but also to protect the dog's health. Unspayed (or 'intact') b itches are extremely likely to develop mammary cancer in later life, or pyometra. Both conditions are potentially fatal. Spaying also protects against ovarian cancer. Ultimately, spayed b itches live longer, happier lives!

I think that introduces you to the main points!

Chalice

Answer 3

It sounds like you have really thought it over. You really don't need to answer to anyone but yourself and your dog. You are correct and I agree with all of your statements. The statements of many of the other posters are correct too. However it is entirely up to you what happens to your dog. I say kuddos to you for thinking about it this hard and doing the research. Not just blindly doing what others say is right. We have a male dog and we didn't get him neutered. We chose not to because the risks of surgery are not something I am willing to take. He isn't agressive at all and he doesn't mark and never has. We have an English Mastiff and there is already a high risk of bone cancers, we didn't want to increase the risk further. We also didn't want a lanky guy either. It's not about status either. Whether he has his testicles or not has no bearing on how cool I think he is. As for your dog if you think you can keep her protected and all is going well then leave well enough alone. If there in the future arises the medical need to do so then get it done then. You don't have to make a final decision this month or even this year. Take it a heat at a time and see how it goes. As for the other poster that said that neutering calms them down, I say horse ****...We have a foster here that was a fine mellow gentlemen, nearly 1 month after neutering he is now a complete idiot and jerk. We are still working with him but his personality changed for the worse..... I'm not willing to risk that with my dog at all. Train your dog "leave it" and if you train well enough, they wont even attemt to mate at all!

Answer 4

Spaying is the surgical removal of the dog's ovaries & uterus (otherwise known as an ovariohysterectomy). The term "in heat" just means that she is in estrus ("having her period"). There are about three weeks to a heat cycle; a week before she begins to bleed and a week after. During these times, it is imperative that you keep her away from intact (not neutered) male dogs, as this is when she can (and likely will) get impregnated.

If you don't get her spayed, you run the risk of an unwanted litter of puppies, pyometra (infected uterus which can be life threatening and require emergency surgery as the only fix), mammary cancer, etc.

If you do get her spayed, the chances of her getting mammary cancer is greatly decreased, she will never get pregnant, never develop pyometra, and never contribute to the current pet overpopulation problem. =)

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

To spay is basically to sterilise. In heat means she is effectively ready for a dog, and reproduction. It is generally considered best to have a remale spayed prior to her first showing, unless you intend to breed. Bitches generally come into heat about every seven months, but it can be as little as four monthly, and generally lasts for some 7 - 10 days.

Answer 6

A dog in heat is just a term for a dog that's menstruating. This is the only time she can breed, too.

Spaying a dog (spay for female, neuter for male) is basically "tying her tubes". It's a small, inexpensive surgery that makes it where she can't breed and won't go into heat again.
You shouldn't spay when she's in heat, though, it can be dangerous.

Answer 7

No such thing as a stupid question.

Spaying means having a dog neutered removing it's ability to procreate (have babies).

For female dogs, this require an invasive surgery to remove its entire uterus.

A female dog is in "heat" when she is fertile and ready to mate.

Answer 8

spaying your dog means to desex them, to take out there reproductive organs so that they cannot breed. when a dog is in heat it means that she is ready to be mated with a male and have puppys.

Answer 9

Are you joking? Your dog has to be 6 months or more, haven't you gone to the Vet with her>>>??? Please discuss this with your vet. And obviously this is something you can look up on Wikipedia. I think you're pulling someones leg.

Answer 10

when your dog is on heat she is having her period.

spaying means getting her desexed so she can fall pregnate