Thanks everyone! It's always best to make informed decisions. Which is easier said than done since a lot of vets are so "old school" (it seems like the DVM Colleges need to update their books and open up their minds more!) that all they preach is spay/neuter and when you ask why it's more or less a "just because" response. Or the best is when they say: "If they're not gonna use it, loose it!"
I have no problems w/ that, but do it intelligently. It's 2006!
JeanieK, not sure. If I had to guess, I would say no. Women who have tubal ligations still get their periods (most of them anyway) and I'd think it'd be the same for dogs. The heat cycle would exist, but most likely less bleeding and less irritation and the period of bleeding should be significantly shorter on the average bitch I would imagine. I'll put a diaper on my baby and grimace and bear it knowing it's better for her in the long run, but not everyone would. Cramping is supposedly less if existent at all w/ a tubal ligation too.
Thanks again! Keep on reading verifiably factual resources for the benefits of our fur babies!
And remember that new studies are going on all the time, even old topics are always being updated, just keep your eyes and ears open. The topic of Nutrition, for example, is ever changing as we do new studies.
