Sunday, September 30, 2007
Spaying or Neutering Your Dog
Many owners don’t even want to think about the idea of neutering their pet, though for most pet owners, it is a necessary decision. Unless you specifically plan to become a licensed breeder, getting your dog “fixed” will not only prevent the multiplication of unwanted puppies, but it will often have behavioral benefits as well. The operation is commonly more emotionally challenging for the owner than it is for the pet, so it is important for owners to fully understand both the purposes of neutering and the standard procedure.
Depending on the gender of your dog, there are different reasons to consider spaying or neutering. If you are the owner of a female dog, you must understand that females mature much quicker than males and come of breeding age by the time they are seven months old. When this occurs, she will go in heat for three weeks at a time, twice per year. During this time, males will be doing anything they can to court her. The neighbors’ dog, strays, or dogs in your own home will not be able to resist her. This is like a time bomb waiting to happen because once she does breed, she is capable of producing several dozen puppies in a lifetime. Putting these puppies for sale, or even trying to give them away to good homes is more difficult than you might think, and if you are not ready for this responsibility, seriously consider spaying your dog. Beyond this, a spayed animal is less susceptible to certain diseases such as pyometritis, uterine infections, and breast tumors, and for this reason, a spayed pet will usually enjoy a longer life span.
Most veterinarians recommend spaying a puppy after the age of five months, depending on the maturity of the female, just prior to the puppies first period. Smaller breed females have their first heat around 8 months, while larger breeds experience it at 10 to 14 months. Those owners who want a liter of puppies first, the operation can be performed safely at an older age. When performing the operation, the veterinarian will put your dog under general anesthetic, so you’re puppy won’t feel a thing. After the abdominal surgery and brief hospitalization, your dog is ready to go home and take it easy for a couple days. She should not engage in any strenuous exercise or running in order to make sure the incision heals properly.
The timing of neutering a male dog is less important. In fact, the operation may occur at any time after the age of four months. The attitudes of neutered males are greatly improved. Male behavioral traits such as humping, marking, and jumping, will often decrease or even disappear all together. His loyalty will improve, and his interaction with other dogs can also be positively impacted. The intensity of a male’s territorial and sexual instincts are reduced, therefore directly altering these other behavioral traits.
Like a spaying operation, neutering (or castration) also consist of general anesthesia and a brief hospitalization. Dogs often recover even more quickly from this surgery, spending the day lounging around and ready to go the next day. Of course, you should still take it easy for a couple days to make sure everything heals properly.
This procedure should not be something for pet owners to fear. It has enhanced the lives of so many pets and owners a great deal, decreasing the number of dogs on the streets and increasing the manageability others. So unless you are seriously set on having puppies, make the choice to get your pet spayed or neutered. You will be glad you did.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Depending on the gender of your dog, there are different reasons to consider spaying or neutering. If you are the owner of a female dog, you must understand that females mature much quicker than males and come of breeding age by the time they are seven months old. When this occurs, she will go in heat for three weeks at a time, twice per year. During this time, males will be doing anything they can to court her. The neighbors’ dog, strays, or dogs in your own home will not be able to resist her. This is like a time bomb waiting to happen because once she does breed, she is capable of producing several dozen puppies in a lifetime. Putting these puppies for sale, or even trying to give them away to good homes is more difficult than you might think, and if you are not ready for this responsibility, seriously consider spaying your dog. Beyond this, a spayed animal is less susceptible to certain diseases such as pyometritis, uterine infections, and breast tumors, and for this reason, a spayed pet will usually enjoy a longer life span.
Most veterinarians recommend spaying a puppy after the age of five months, depending on the maturity of the female, just prior to the puppies first period. Smaller breed females have their first heat around 8 months, while larger breeds experience it at 10 to 14 months. Those owners who want a liter of puppies first, the operation can be performed safely at an older age. When performing the operation, the veterinarian will put your dog under general anesthetic, so you’re puppy won’t feel a thing. After the abdominal surgery and brief hospitalization, your dog is ready to go home and take it easy for a couple days. She should not engage in any strenuous exercise or running in order to make sure the incision heals properly.
The timing of neutering a male dog is less important. In fact, the operation may occur at any time after the age of four months. The attitudes of neutered males are greatly improved. Male behavioral traits such as humping, marking, and jumping, will often decrease or even disappear all together. His loyalty will improve, and his interaction with other dogs can also be positively impacted. The intensity of a male’s territorial and sexual instincts are reduced, therefore directly altering these other behavioral traits.
Like a spaying operation, neutering (or castration) also consist of general anesthesia and a brief hospitalization. Dogs often recover even more quickly from this surgery, spending the day lounging around and ready to go the next day. Of course, you should still take it easy for a couple days to make sure everything heals properly.
This procedure should not be something for pet owners to fear. It has enhanced the lives of so many pets and owners a great deal, decreasing the number of dogs on the streets and increasing the manageability others. So unless you are seriously set on having puppies, make the choice to get your pet spayed or neutered. You will be glad you did.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. You can find a variety of dogs for sale that would be great for families or personal companionship. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Labels: dogs for sale
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