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Spay/Neuter or Not?

The best way to approach the decision of whether to spay or neuter puppy is to educate yourself. Here are some snippets of information to help you learn more and make the best choice for your situation.

Spay/Neuter - A Hot Topic

Yes, there are options to traditional spay/neuter!

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For males (dogs)...

vasectomy effectively prevents breeding and maintains hormonal balance.

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For females (bitches)...

an ovary-sparing spay prevents pregnancy without disrupting hormones.

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Learn more about these options here, from Dr. Nancy Kay, a well-known veterinarian specializing in small animal internal medicine.

There are three main arguments in support of spay/neuter:

  1. that it reduces the number of dog who often end up in shelters or in rescue organizations;

  2. that it reduces the chances of certain cancers and diseases; and

  3. that it improves certain undesirable behaviors.

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Those opposed to spay/neuter counter these arguments, saying that:

  1. responsible dog owners confine their dogs appropriately to keep intact males and females from wandering, so the chances of an accidental impregnation are low;

  2. there is research that neutering predisposes certain breeds to health problems later in life; and

  3. some dogs may develop behavioral problems after neutering.

 

There is a middle position: to allow a puppy to mature fully before spaying or neutering. Those who advocate this point out that dogs, especially large breeds, need their natural hormones to support physical growth and development. There are also options to spay/neuter (see sidebar.)

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Questions to ask yourself might include:

  • Have I consulted with my breeder (if your dog is purebred) and veterinarian to determine what's best for my dog?

  • What are the chances that my intact male dog will escape from my home/yard and wander?

  • If I leave my female intact, am I prepared to handle regular heat cycles through her life (including keeping her from wandering during those periods)?

  • What health issues that are known in my breed might be affected by neutering (for better or worse)?

  • Am I concerned about certain behaviors that I think spay/neuter might alleviate or eliminate? Have I tried other behavior modification? Is there evidence that spay/neuter helps this particular behavior?

  • What trade-offs am I willing to accept with either health issues or behavioral issues?

  • Are there places I might want to take my dog that require dogs to be neutered (e.g., dog parks and some daycare/boarding facilities)?

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