2007-10-19 15:08:41 · 32 answers · asked by hald37 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, it will keep her healthier and happier.
2007-10-19 15:19:39 · answer #1 · answered by m.aster 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I am with Freedom on this one. Spaying is very necessary if you are not able to keep her away from males during her season. If you are willing to deal with the mess and be responsible about keeping males away, you can wait to spay.
Some things to think about: breed and age. My dog is a lab, so I waited until she was 15 months to spay her. She had been through 1 heat. There is some research done by Chris Zink (you can google it) about early spays. Spaying a dog before it is finished growing can create weaknesses in a dog's bones and muscles. Zink recommends waiting to spay a dog until 14 months, especially if they are going to be an athlete of any type. Since I have a lab, which are prone to hip problems and such, I thought it was best to give her every chance at having strong bones and muscles.
And the people who scream about cancer... letting your dog go through one heat only increases her chance of mammary cancer by less than one percent. I think the percentage goes up sharply after two heats, but before that, the difference is very small. So, you have to weigh the pros and cons.
So, if you don't plan on breeding your dog, you should probably have her spayed at some point, but you don't have to do it right away. Of course, if you are not willing to be vigilant in keeping the males away, spaying right now is a great decision.
The reason that so many people scream to spay and neuter without having a real discussion about it, is because so many people are irresponsible. SO MANY. There are so many people that are so uneducated when it comes to dogs and reproducing, that it's just easier to tell everyone to spay and neuter at six months. But if you are responsible, you have other options.
EDIT: Freedom gave you a great article! Please read it!
2007-10-19 16:25:12 · answer #2 · answered by Carrie O'Labrador 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are responsible owner and can ensure that she will not become pregnant there is evidence that at least waiting until she is older is better. These people who scream YES and DO IT NOW are not basing their opinions on any facts. There are more cons to these procedures then pro's. They just freak out over the possibility of an unwanted litter and say yes They also have taken myths and preach them as fact. Most Dogs DO get fat after spaying, Dogs do not have any less of chance at ill health if left unaltered. Sure there are things they CAN get if not spayed, but there are even more things detrimental to health when they ARE spayed.. so pick your poison.
Dogs are NOT auomatically 'healthier' if they are spayed. That is a ridiculous notion.
Here are some pro's and cons to look over so you can make an educated decision.
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf
2007-10-19 15:32:21 · answer #3 · answered by Freedom 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A number of validated studies have shown that the sooner your spay a female, the greater her chances are of not getting mammary cancers. Each season she has increases the chances of these cancers so that in and of itself would tend to make me think it is a good idea to spay any females that are not breed worthy or that the owner doesn't want to deal with breeding if they are breed worthy. Also, it pretty much 100% eliminates the possibility of uterine cancer :)
Left unaltered, there also always exists the potential for unwanted pregnancy. Females come into season about every six months and the scent produced can entice males from miles around which can be a big problem as well.
There just are a lot more reasons to get a female spayed than to leave them intact and there is no valid reason to leave them intact to either have a first season or to have a litter.
2007-10-19 15:23:23 · answer #4 · answered by Nancy M 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes, for a few reasons...
There are health benefits assoicated with being spayed (reduced chance of getting numerous cancers)
There is alos the benefit of NOT having your dog go into heat twice a year (basically having her period in your house)
Also you will avoid having all sorts of strange male dogs hanging around your house trying to mate with her when she does go into heat.
If cost is an issue, check with your local Humane Society or SPCA. Many communities offer free or low-cost spay/neuter procedures.
2007-10-19 16:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by anon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a friend of mine has a chihuahua that has numerous cancerous breast tumors. This could have been avoided if she had got her spayed years ago. The vets had talked about removing the first tumor when it first was noticeable but decided against it because the dog also has heart probllems.
2007-10-19 15:14:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Yup.
You didn't say how old she is, but spaying your dog will save you the trouble of warding off stray dogs trying to get into your house; allow you to bring her to dog parks with no worries; not to mention save her from various types of cancers in the future.
2007-10-19 16:05:33 · answer #7 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Even though you have no intention to breed her, it's better to have her spayed. By doing this, you don't need to worry about some strange males try to breed her when she's in heat.
2007-10-19 15:13:07 · answer #8 · answered by Wild Ginger 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
HECK YEAH. fixing your dog will increase his chances of living a long healthy life. Unspayed dogs always end up with some sort of health problem eventually.
2007-10-19 15:14:24 · answer #9 · answered by Jorjor 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes
2007-10-19 15:15:11 · answer #10 · answered by GSD Girl 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes it much healthier for dog
2007-10-19 19:55:40 · answer #11 · answered by kennyprettyconcubine 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋