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05-23-2006, 07:59 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canada
Posts: 35
| Should I spay my baby? Pancake is 5 3/4 months and she is a yorkie/toy poodle mix. She is 6 lbs and the vet guesses she will be 10 lbs full grown. I would prefer it if she didn't get much bigger than that; of course, I love her so much and would be happy with her no matter what size she is. After reading yorkieK9trainer's thread on neutering, I wonder if she will grow bigger if I do spay her. Maybe I will wait until she is full grown to prevent her from growing beigger than she normally would. We were at the vet today and he said she was ready to be spayed. I've only ever heard good things about neutering/spaying your pets, but why should I put Pancake through a painful procedure when it's not necessary; she will not be having pups. Also, according to this referenced article, there are many more concerns regarding spaying than the vet told me about today. Well according to my vet there were no concerns only benifits, and you just do it. And I would like a little more information to go on than that. I guess the major source of concern for me is that I have been trying to find actual facts on why to neuter, but all I have found so far is: your pup will be healthier, and better behaved. But where is this information coming from? Sorry this is more of a rant than a question, although I still have not made up my mind and am open to any suggestions or comments you have regarding your spayed or neutered fur baby. |
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05-23-2006, 08:11 PM | #2 |
Stewie Rox the Sox Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 6,306
| Dogs dont really grow bigger after they are altered. They may get a little wider though. Like for example if you had major surgery, you might be a little sore and pack on a few along the way to recovery That's the way I look at it. No real 'growth spurt' so to speak would occur as the result of a spay or neuter though. Of course there are concerns about undergoing surgery, but I think the benefits far outweigh the "risks". You will reduce her risk of cancer of the reproductive organs to almost zero and that's one of the best benefits. Also, unaltered dogs are more territorial and unspayed females will have discharge all over when in heat. I have also heard that altered aids in preventing potty accidents, but I'm not sure about how true that is. Best wishes for whatever you choose
__________________ Kristy & Stewie |
05-23-2006, 08:28 PM | #3 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 3,065
| I read the post too and appreciated the information, but wouldn't base my opinion on one opinion. It might all very well be true, but for now I'm still voting for spay/neuter unless you plan on breeding. Recommendations for vaccinations are also changing, but you will find many resources to base your decision on, not just one. |
05-24-2006, 12:19 AM | #4 |
Mom to 6 Beautiful Furkids Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio
Posts: 5,409
| You should definately get her spayed if you don't she could end up with cancer. When I was a child we had a golden, the best dog I ever had, an well we didn't get her spayed, we didn't realize the importance of it. So as odds have it she developed cancer and had a emergency spay done. Needless to say she didn't live very long after that happened. I would give anything to go back and do it all over again to get her spayed early rather than putting it off like we did. I know several other people who had the same thing happen to their dogs, so it really is important for them to get spayed. Your girl is at a good age and weight to get her spayed. Like they say, the benefits out weigh the risks. And as long as you monitor her intake of food and amount of excercise then you should not have to worry about your dog gaining weight.
__________________ A dog is a furry person! http://www.dogster.com/?300866 Tracey and the gang DestinyHarmonyScamperGracieLillieKiwi Hershey Peppi |
05-24-2006, 01:35 AM | #5 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 2,999
| All my puppies are neutered or spayed before leaving my home and no one became bigger than what they were supposed to be . |
05-24-2006, 03:12 PM | #6 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canada
Posts: 35
| Thanks for the info. I will look into it a little further, but we will most likely do the procedure. I still have the feeling I should wait until she is a year old, but I guess I will talk to my vet about that and see how he feels about it. Anyway, thanks again for the help, I really appreciate it! |
05-24-2006, 03:16 PM | #7 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TN
Posts: 462
| There has been research that spaying/neutering before sexual maturity does increase the chance of being TALLER, as the growth plates close later due to the lack of hormones telling them it's time to close...but she will only be heavier if you let her get chubby. On the other hand, there are SO MANY benefits to spaying before the first heat, including you just about nip the chance of mamary cancer/tumors in the bud, which to me is worth it for a little bit taller dog! Quote:
__________________ Becki & The Dazzlin' Yorkies | |
05-24-2006, 03:18 PM | #8 |
I love my boys! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston
Posts: 1,913
| you have gotten a lot of good info. in response to your last post about waiting til she is one year old, i have read and heard that you should spay her before her first heat to reduce the risk of cancer. just something to look into
__________________ -Megan, Tucker & Tripp "My little dogs- heartbeats at my feet" www.dropshots.com/megan_kat22 |
05-24-2006, 03:35 PM | #10 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 3,065
| Females spayed before their first heat cycle have 96.4% less risk of breast cancer. Spaying after the first heat but before a litter still reduces the risk by 84%. Breast cancer is four times more common in dogs than in humans. Spayed females have no risk of uterine infection, or uterine, ovarian, or cervical cancer. Dogs and cats have their own sexually-transmitted diseases, many fatal, and some potentially contagious to humans. Spayed and neutered pets are rarely exposed to these diseases. There are many complications associated with pregnancy, having babies, and raising a litter - infections, emergency c-sections (very expensive), seizures due to calcium deficiency, etc. The risk of pregnancy and rearing a litter is far greater than the risk of anesthesia and spaying. |
05-24-2006, 03:40 PM | #11 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TN
Posts: 462
| Seriously, assist in a few deliveries, then re-think that decision. Breeding is NOT FUN. On the two litters I've bred, 1 pup died at birth, one at 13 weeks, one was too small to show, one went to the dam's breeder, one went to the sire's owner, and one stayed here. I got several things from this litter, BILLS mostly, POOP, sleepless nights, heartache and a few sweet puppy kisses. Oh..and terror as we had to PULL babies from their mommies, mommies screaming, and me having to take a klonopin and sit in the corner and cry while my friend did the job! LOL Breeding STINKS. Quote:
__________________ Becki & The Dazzlin' Yorkies | |
05-24-2006, 05:34 PM | #12 | |
Lovin' 2 Girls Donating Member | Quote:
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05-24-2006, 06:37 PM | #13 | |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 3,065
| Quote:
I do not have a good answer for your other question. Whelping a small dog is not a pleasant experience. Most first time Yorkie moms are in pain and do not know what is going on. If you do not have a lot of knowledge and confidence that you know what the dangers signals are and when to go to the vet it is not a pleasant experience. It is very stressful. Of course, after whelping, then the experience is very rewarding, if the puppies are healthy. If no one bred Yorkies, then none of us would have them so I am not against breeding. I just do not recommend it unless you know what you are getting in to and no what the risks are. The more knowledge you have the odds of having a successful outcome improves, but even if you do everything right every whelping has risks to the mother. In breeding Great Danes, even the whelping process was enjoyable, but it is very, very different with a small dog who is yelping and biting at her back end and seems to not know what is going on, especially when it's your baby. | |
05-24-2006, 06:44 PM | #14 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TN
Posts: 462
| I can think of only 2 reasons why the MAJORITY do it.. 1. Ignorance/Indiference/lack of education 2. Think they're going to make a buck. Quote:
__________________ Becki & The Dazzlin' Yorkies | |
05-24-2006, 06:44 PM | #15 |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: TN
Posts: 462
| Great answers Lacy's Mom!
__________________ Becki & The Dazzlin' Yorkies |
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