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Male Dog Neutering And Female Dog Spaying: When Should It Be Done?
As responsible pet owners we have to make the decision whether or not we want to contribute to the problem or do our part to keep unwanted pets out of the shelters and off the streets. So when do we need to neuter or spay the animals? We need to decide by the time our pet is 6 to 8 months old whether or not to sterilize him/her.
Being a responsible breeder is no easy task and there is no profit to be made. Breeding is done strictly for the betterment and continuation of the breed. The costs of the stud service, the buying or making of a whelping box, the veterinarian bill for the care of the mother dog, possible fees for delivering the pups, puppy food, veterinarian checkups for the puppies, eye exams, worming, fees for docking of the tails, vaccinations, etc., etc., quickly eat up any profits to be made. Then there are the countless sleepless nights waiting for the moment of birth, worrying about the newborn puppies, the noise from yelping puppies keeping you awake. It's simply a labor of love for a responsible breeder.
Whether or not you have a mixed breed or a purebred dog you need to take the precaution so that accidental breedings do not happen. If you have an unspayed female dog you dog will every 6 to 10 months go into heat that lasts about 3 weeks. A heat is also known as an oestrus period. During this time the female will have menses or a period, where she will secrete blood from her vagina. This is a messy situation for a house pet. There are protective garments that may be purchased to contain the mess, but also help deter unwelcome entry from male dogs. Also during this time your dogs behaviour may change and she will be less obedient.
Unsterilized (un-neutered) male dogs can become aggressive and may show overt sexual behaviour when there are in-season females nearby. The male dogs will mark territory in the neighbourhood or in the home by urinating small amounts. Adolescence, is a trying period. Your male dog and you will likely have confrontations over whom is the alpha personality. Now is the time to remember, that you love your dog, but you are the master.
To spay a female dog, a veterinarian removes it's uterus and ovaries. A male dog is neutered when the veterinarian removes the dog's testicles. Both operations are usually safe and require one nights stay at the clinic.
The benefits to sterilizing your dog not only include unwanted off-spring, avoiding temperament problems, but also can benefit your dogs health. Having your pet sterilized will decrease the risk of developing tumors in the genital area. Males can develop problems with the prostate gland. Females can develop problems with the mammary glands. Consult your veterinarian before your pet becomes 6 months old. Take a trip to your local S.P.C.A. and take a look at all the homeless cats and dogs before you decide to leave your pet unsterilized.
Reprinted with permission by Terrie Simpson, www.K9KlearUp.com. Terrie has been involved in the dog world for over 28 years and has achieved numerous awards with her Springer Spaniels in tracking and obedience. Over that time, she has amassed a good amount of knowledge about how to keep a dog healthy. She is now happy to give back by sharing her experience with other dog owners.
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