Opinions on spaying a dog

[La Gallega]

I can see where you are coming from but prostate cancer is a bigger in dogs over 5 that have not been done, so hopefully he will foregive us in a few days time

Chris - you may know something about this then.....in spayed bitches I thought the only problem was weight gain. However, with my m-i-l's 3 yr old Shih Tzu, the vet told her that before she thought about doing the op, it was really best for the dog to have a litter first as it could cause problems such as tumours later on??? I've never heard of that???? I know it's more usual to wait after the bitch's first "season" and then do the op. It's not like m-i-l could cope with a litter anyway and we've got enough on our hands!!!

xx

[Darren]

Chris - you may know something about this then.....in spayed bitches I thought the only problem was weight gain. However, with my m-i-l's 3 yr old Shih Tzu, the vet told her that before she thought about doing the op, it was really best for the dog to have a litter first as it could cause problems such as tumours later on??? I've never heard of that???? I know it's more usual to wait after the bitch's first "season" and then do the op. It's not like m-i-l could cope with a litter anyway and we've got enough on our hands!!!

xx

I think it really boils down to the vet you speak to as my ex an I had a Shih Tzu and had it done after the first season and she had a long and fruitful life.

But myself I've always had Staffies (long before they were a fashion statement) and we always used to breed them once before getting them 'done' as that was what we were told was the best thing to do at the time.

However, none of the females latest beyond 12 years old so my last female Staf I had was under a different vet and said because there was another male dog in the house to have her done before her first season was due and she was the healthiest and longest living Staf my family have ever had, she recently past away at the grand old age of 16 which is good for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Also had my cat done before her first season and she's been fine also (touch wood) so I think it just boils down to who you ask advice from and who taught them. Don't think any advice is necessary bad or better than the other. I'd do a Google search and make your own mind up from real life experiences if it were me.

hope this helps

[Sammy]

My personal opinion is to have all dogs spade or castrated asap and not bother with a litter. There are too many dogs in the world needing a home and lots of tlc without adding more to the population

Also as long as the dog has a happy contented life does it really matter whether they live for 10 years or 15 years? We still have to bear the heartbreak however long or short their lives are!

[JJH]

My personal opinion is to have all dogs spade or castrated asap and not bother with a litter. There are too many dogs in the world needing a home and lots of tlc without adding more to the population

Also as long as the dog has a happy contented life does it really matter whether they live for 10 years or 15 years? We still have to bear the heartbreak however long or short their lives are!

I absolutely agree. Our female dogs were spayed as soon as they reached the appropriate age - neither of them had a litter. Dolly will be spayed at 7 months. Tipo also was neutered early in his life. You´re right, there are enough dogs needing rehoming without us adding to the problem

[crispy]

Chris - you may know something about this then.....in spayed bitches I thought the only problem was weight gain. However, with my m-i-l's 3 yr old Shih Tzu, the vet told her that before she thought about doing the op, it was really best for the dog to have a litter first as it could cause problems such as tumours later on??? I've never heard of that???? I know it's more usual to wait after the bitch's first "season" and then do the op. It's not like m-i-l could cope with a litter anyway and we've got enough on our hands!!!

xx

yeah i have that as well but i always thought it was spomethiing to do with the emotional side of things didn't realise it could cause medical propbs as well.

[Gerry]

My personal opinion is to have all dogs spade or castrated asap and not bother with a litter. There are too many dogs in the world needing a home and lots of tlc without adding more to the population

Also as long as the dog has a happy contented life does it really matter whether they live for 10 years or 15 years? We still have to bear the heartbreak however long or short their lives are!

I absolutely agree. Our female dogs were spayed as soon as they reached the appropriate age - neither of them had a litter. Dolly will be spayed at 7 months. Tipo also was neutered early in his life. You´re right, there are enough dogs needing rehoming without us adding to the problem

Gotta say ,a lot of us on here have done our bit for these poor unwanted beasts but as you all say there are far too many turfed out on the side of motorways etc which brings us to the decision much as we hate to, Max ,its adios Huevos

[crispy]

Gotta say ,a lot of us on here have done our bit for these poor unwanted beasts but as you all say there are far too many turfed out on the side of motorways etc which brings us to the decision much as we hate to, Max ,its adios Huevos

oh G I feel for max, but a guy has to do what a guy has to do.

[Sam Greenfield]

Gotta say ,a lot of us on here have done our bit for these poor unwanted beasts but as you all say there are far too many turfed out on the side of motorways etc which brings us to the decision much as we hate to, Max ,its adios Huevos

Is that 'goodbye nuts' in Spanish then

[Gerry]

Is that 'goodbye nuts' in Spanish then

Si senora

[La Gallega]

Thanks for all your replies on this - I'm sure she won't go through with it and breed from her. It's a crazy situation - as you say with all the poor dogs needing homes and that. But more than that, she just couldn't cope with a litter anyway - and I'm not in a babysitting frame of mind. I'd just never heard that from a vet before about problems if you spayed bitches!!!

Poor little thing even has a special pair of panties to put a little sanitary towel inside for when she's on her season. The dog that is, not the m-i-l!!!

We had our big girl done (overly large golden) after her first season. What a bloody mess! Every time she ran anywhere and wagged her tail, all over the carpet, up the wall!!