Spaying Dogs

I want you to be aware of a few things so you make the best decision for you and the health of your dog.

Here are the dos and don'ts every responsible pet owner should know.

If possible...

• Wait until sexual maturity, or very close to it. This ensures the least effect on the neuro-endocrine system and allows full development of a normal adult body shape. Most females reach this point at the age of 6 to 8 months, most males at 9 to 12 months.

  The endocrine system helps regulate and maintain various body functions by making and releasing hormones. These chemical messengers are needed for more than reproduction. Aside from growth and development, they are needed for the absorption of nutrients, energy metabolism, water and electrolyte balance, and responses to stress and injury.

  For a female, that means after her first heat. This does put a burden on you to be sure she is carefully confined for two to three weeks and not left alone in the yard whether it is fenced or not.

  If the thought of that seems like to much work and worry, just wait as close to that time as you can.

• Never have your vet spay or neuter your dog when she or he is sick. After all, any surgery puts a stress on the body. To avoid complications and insure a speedy recovery, be sure your dog is well.
• Spaying and neutering dogs should not be done at the same time as vaccinations. I know this is a common practice, but your dog's immune system is going to be stressed from having a disease injected into the body. Always use the homeopathic detoxification remedy THUJA OCCIDENTALIS 30c after a vaccination to avoid side effects and wait 3 weeks before any surgery.
• Spaying and neutering also decreases the incidence of mammary cancer in females and prostate problems and cancer in males.

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If you are hesitant to have your female spayed, let me share a little story with you.

My Great Dane Jenny was not spayed. Being a very thrifty (cheap) person I didn't want to spend the vast amount of money my California vet wanted to charge me and Jenny was so tall I figured no male dog could reach her should one get into our fenced in yard.

What happened? Coming home late one night from a party, I kid you not, we found Jenny on her back on the sofa with the neighborhood Cockapoo on top of her and perilously close to creating puppies. After that experience I locked the doggie door when she was in heat.

When Jenny was 7-years-old she ended up with pyometra and had to be spayed anyway.

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