Thoughts on spaying and neutering...
 

Curious to know peoples thoughts on spaying and neutering...
Is it right? wrong? good? bad?
Unfair to the puppy? Is it going to affect them later in life? will it help? do you think they mind?

Let me know...I'm a newbie in this department...

It can prevent so many forms of cancer, it prevents males from running away when they smell a female in heat up to miles away (and prevents them from being hit by cars), and it prevents marking and aggression.

I am very much in favor of routine spay/neuter. :thumbup: I think it prevents unplanned litters and has health benefits to boot.

I agree with both ladies above. Also, it keeps little doggies from knocking on our door to see if Penny can come out to play.

To spay Lexi would be to protect her and prolong her life. Isn't that what you want to do? Don't let people tell you it's a bad thing to do. They know not of what they speak.

Thanks guys for everything! I just wasn't sure, because it was going to be my choice and not the Lexi's. I wanted the best thing for her =D
I'll get her spayed at 6 months.

I think your on the right path... too much to risk if you don't spay:thumbup:

I definately agree, it is so much better to get your dogs spayed or neutered if you don't plan to breed them. It can prevent health problems for them later in life and possibly losing your baby as far as males are concerned when they run after a female in heat.

My grandma learned the hard way with her dog, she didn't plan on breeding her but she didn't think it was harmful to the dog by not getting her spayed either. Later in the dogs life she was rushed to the vets office because she had a severe uterine infection and without surgery would've died! The vet managed to save her life and told my grandma that if you don't plan on breeding your dog you should definately get them spayed/neutered.

It sounds like you are on the right track. The advice of health advantages giving here are great:)

ditto :thumbup:

Should I neuter or spay my yorkie?


Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) and Neutering (castration) are considered preventative medicine.
More than 15 million, friendly, healthy, dogs and cats are etherized (put to death) yearly because no one wants them. There are also many medical reasons to alter your pet.
Advantages to spaying
-A female dog that is spayed before one year of age reduces her risk of breast cancer by 86%
-Spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian or uterine cancer.
-Eliminates the risks of life threatening uterine infections called pyometra.
-Eliminates unwanted heats and messy discharges and smells associated with heat
-Helps control pet populations
-Eliminates the chance of "passing on" conditions such as luxating patella, collapsing trachea
liver shunt and other hereditary problems associated with small dogs.
-Reduces "pack hierarchy" amongst multiple females in the same home.
Advantages to neutering
-Reduces prostate problems later in life to almost zero
-Totally eliminates the risk of testicular cancer
-Eliminates or drastically reduces some behavior problems
-Reduces aggressive tendencies towards people and other dogs.
-Eliminates roaming in search of females in heat.
-Decreases male to male fighting

How is it done?
Both spaying and neutering are major surgical procedures that should only be done by a competent vet. Assembly line spay/neuter clinics are not recommended because they cannot give your yorkie the same loving care as he or she's regular vet. Your pet will be given a complete physical evaluation and pre-anesthetic blood profiles. If all is good, the yorkie will be sedated and intubated to remain asleep throughout the procedure. NEVER ALLOW A VET TECH TO INTUBATE YOUR YORKIE. Only a vet can do this correctly and without excessive risk. The yorkie will be placed on a special pad to keep the body temperature steady. The area will be shaved and cleaned well with antiseptic wash. An incision will be made and the reproductive organs will be removed. Stitches will be put in place. The pet will be moved to recovery and gently wakened when it can swallow and pick up it's head. Then, wrapped in a blanket or towel the pet will be continuously monitored as it wakes. Yorkies sometimes shiver and yip when waking. If you are not able to be there for the wake up ask the vet tech to talk to the pet as it awakes, reducing confusion.
You will have to limit exercise for a few days and return for suture removal in about 7 days.

http://www.freewebs.com/babeyorkies/puppycare.htm
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Now, my vet used dissolving stitches. I like this much better.:)

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::bravo::number1ri:goodp ost: