Spaying 101 – Everything you need to know

Spaying, Neutering and De-sexing are all the same procedures
with different terms. As pet owners, these terms might be
overwhelming with many apprehensive concerns and questions. As
advocated by almost every animal welfare organization and vets,
Spaying or Neutering your pet dog is a safety measure that is
strongly supported.

What is
Spaying/Neutering?

It is of utmost importance for pet owners to understand what
this procedure means for both you and the dog. For most home dogs
that live a healthy and event-free life, desexing will be a
significant surgical procedure. Spaying and Neutering are major
medical measures that require a high level of care and skill.

Spaying refers to the removal of a female dog’s reproductive
organs while neutering refers to the same procedure in male dogs.
When a female is spayed the procedure involves removal of her
ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. This further renders the dog’s
heat cycle thus eliminates the ability to reproduce. When a male
dog is neutered, both his testicles and their associated structures
are removed. Like for females, the male dogs are also further
unable to reproduce which in turn eliminates their breeding
instincts.

Why
De-sex?

All over the world, there are millions of puppies and dogs that
are unwanted of which some are lucky to get into a shelter. Many of
these become unwanted, are given away, stray or cruelly
neglected.  Breeding seems to occur more rapidly while being
able to find good homes for these pooches is challenging. This
leads to a massive count of dogs euthanized every year.

The procedure helps this situation by reducing the number of
unwanted litters, additionally aids your canine companions with
health benefits like a healthier and longer lifespan, reduced
behaviour issues and cancer that every pet lover will be
appreciative of.  Female dogs are at risk of mammary cancer
and life-threatening uterine infections which are prevented when
spayed. Likewise, for male dogs, they are prevented from
contracting testicular cancer and behaviour issues, such as
aggressiveness.

All such procedures have both pros and cons, however, the merits
of Spaying or Neutering outweigh the cons and result in many people
opting for the procedure to see their beloved hounds in the peak of
health.

When is the right time to
De-sex?

Traditionally dogs are spayed or neutered between six and nine
months. Several factors affect and influence the timing of spaying
and neutering. Although some clinics prefer to desex dogs as young
as two months old. However, it is important that as a dog owner you
discuss this with your vet to decide what is best for your
individual dog.

Recovery

Certain simple precautions need to be taken in order to ensure
your pooch has a safe and calm recovery. It is important to discuss
pain management, precautions and maintenance with your vet and be
able to offer your dog the finest treatment and speedy recovery. A
good way to scale recovery is that if the dog is at ease and active
enough to play, he or she is probably doing fine. Always get your
vets attention if you sense the slightest discomfort in your
dog.

Misconceptions and
Risk

A number of misconceptions persist with regards to spaying or
neutering. Some common ones being, will the dog get fat, will it
change his or her personality and such.  None of this is true
based on research like humans dogs get fat if they are fed
excessively and have no exercise at all. Behavior shouldn’t change
much if at all any dogs only become calmer. It is good to read up
and speak with your vet if you have any specific concerns regarding
the procedure as a whole. Spaying and Neutering are common
procedures though like every surgical procedure there is always
some degree of risk involved. All dogs must be given a thorough
medical and physical exam to confirm its general good health prior
to surgery.

Keeping a pet is a lifetime commitment and the one time expense
of desexing will only bring in gains to both the dog and its
owner.