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To spay or not to spay?

12 replies

megapixie · 25/07/2011 17:26

I have my first bitch puppy, who is now 13 weeks. She is amazing. We also have a 4 year old male. 4yo is a terrier mongrel and puppy is supposedly pedigree jack russell but tbh I doubt this. 4yo came from RSPCA as a puppy so had snip at 6months old. We have the puppy purely from circumstances, otherwise were going to get another rescue dog.

It'll be £135 to get her spayed at 6 months, possible 8 months (vet said they sometimes wait on smaller dogs). Is it really necessary for us to spay her? Our other dog is the only one she spends time with and we always keep them on extending leads on walks. We have a big, secure garden so she will be able to run around when she's in season and won't be cooped up inside, but we would also walk her at less busier times of day in this situation.

I have heard not spaying can increase ricks of some health problems but don't know much about this. Can anybody provide me with more info on this and really how much of a problem it could be?

WWYD?

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megapixie · 25/07/2011 17:28

Oh, and please don't flame me for being irresponsible. I'm asking so I can make a more informed decision. As I said, we've never had a bitch before! And we definitely are not planning on breeding from her as I know there are too many unwanted pups

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ellangirl · 25/07/2011 17:36

Personally, I could not be doing with the mess, and the hassle of not being able to walk a dog in season for fear of fighting off big male dogs! They are in season for approx 3 weeks every six months, which is quite significant. Spaying is a routine operation, obviously there are risks but they recover so brilliantly. There are definitely increased risks of womb infections if not spayed- not too sure what else though- I'm sure there will be some knowledgeable people around who do know.

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hephaestus · 25/07/2011 17:58

The incidence of pyometra (infection of the uterus) in unspayed bitches is very high and it is so frequently deadly. :(

Spaying will also drastically reduce the incidence of mammary cancer - a quick google tells me that one in four unspayed bitches over the age of four will develop one or more mammary tumours.

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scartette · 25/07/2011 18:50

Definitely spay. You wont regret it. It is incredible how quickly the dog will recover from it and once done that will be an end to it. We had our retriever/collie cross spayed at 6 months and it really is money well spent. Dont believe any rubbish about changing dogs personality etc. Not true!

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coccyx · 25/07/2011 22:05

Spay. please.

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DogsBestFriend · 25/07/2011 22:28

Yes, spay, please, for health reasons and because of the risks of unwanted pups no matter how careful you are. As you know, too many dogs are dying through lack of homes as it is. Spaying prevents all sorts of health issues including certain cancers.

May I ask why you only walk the older dog on a lead? Just being nosy, tbh it seems a pity though no doubt you have reasons for it. Pup I can understand, of course, but older dog, I'm confused!

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chickchickchicken · 25/07/2011 22:36

see vet's advice on another thread here today re the health benefits of spaying. my dog was spayed at 6mths. she is 14 now. i think it is the responsible thing to spay your dog, for her sake

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megapixie · 26/07/2011 09:04

Thanks everybody, I think we shall be getting her done.

Dogsbestfriend We walk them both on extending leads because our local park is 'open' and tbh we don't trust him not to do a runner into the road. Another reason is, since we got the puppy he is terrified of other dogs. He barks and howls and sounds so frightened, I wouldn't like him to be off the lead where I can't reassure him the dogs okay which seems to be working atm. They both manage to have a good run about and come back tired so I think they're getting enough exercise.

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QuietTiger · 26/07/2011 18:23

If you are struggling with cost of the spay, a number of organisations will help. The PDSA will give a reduced rate if you are on benefits and I also believe Dogs Trust can help.

The only thing a spay will do is IMPROVE the quality of your dogs life. :) But then I guess you've figured that one out by your latest post. :)

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alice15 · 26/07/2011 18:48

Please have a look at thread "when to neuter" a little further down this page, where I wrote a detailed summary of the pros, cons and timing of spaying, a couple of days ago. Summary is that overall it's a good idea.

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megapixie · 26/07/2011 20:24

alice15 I have just read your post on the other thread and it was so helpful, thank you for guiding me to it. We will definitely be getting her spayed.

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Scuttlebutter · 26/07/2011 20:41

Can I just add another benefit? Once she is spayed, her value to dog thieves will drop dramatically. Un-neutered pedigree bitches are particularly vulnerable, especially if they are popular breeds (which JRs definitely are).

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