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NEUTERING: Spay/Castrate

If you do not intend to breed your dog it is always in their best interest to be neutered.

WHY?

Female dogs have a 30% incidence of breast cancer if they have had 3 or more heat cycles. If they are spayed before the first heat cycle, the incidence is only 0.05%!!!

There is also a large risk of uterine infections in female dogs. Dogs cycle the same whether they are pregnant or not, so there is a high progesterone level for the first two months after the heat cycle in all females (when the dog would be pregnant). If they are not pregnant, the progesterone level leaves them more susceptible to infection. This pyometra (uterine infection) is more common in older dogs, but can happen after any heat cycle and generally requires emergency ovariohysterectomy to save the female's life.

The last problem for the females is that they NEVER go through menopause- they will cycle until they die. Heat cycles are generally less obvious as the dog ages, so occasionally a female will be accidentally bred at an advanced age because the owner wasn't aware that the dog was in heat.

Males dogs who remain intact are at higher risk for prostatic enlargement and cancer.

Behavior issues are the greater concern for intact males. Neutered male dogs are less likely to fight other dogs, show aggression toward humans, exhibit inappropriate & unwanted behaviors (e.g. humping your leg or urinating in the house), or stray from home. It's important to note that an older dog who has a long history of bad behaviors will need training to correct issues.

The most heartbreaking reason to spay or neuter your pet is to keep as many animals out of shelters as possible. Although there are an estimated 100 million cats and dogs kept by responsible and caring people in the United States, there is also a tragic number of these companion animals who suffer horrid cruelties associated with abandonment. It is estimated that between 6 to 8 million American pets are euthanized each year as a desperate and heartbreaking means by underfunded and under staffed organizations as a method of population control. This translates to 16,438 to 21,917 pets euthanized each DAY!