Spay and Neuter

Why should I have my dog spayed?

We recommend spaying all female pets. The benefits to your pet’s health and to help reduce the pet overpopulation crisis make this decision easier. It should be remembered that owners of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Dogs for the Disabled routinely have their dogs spayed and neutered, and this does not affect their ability to perform their duties in any manner whatsoever.

What are the advantages of spaying my female dog?

Prevention of “heat” or estrus
When in “heat”, the female experiences an urge to escape in order to find a mate. This unwanted and dangerous behavior is eliminated.
Elimination of the hormone fluctuations that cause false pregnancy following the “heat cycle”
Prevention of uterine infection known as pyometra
Prevention of breast cancer. Dogs spayed before their first “heat” have less than 0.5% chance of developing breast cancer.
Elimination of the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer

What are the disadvantages?

Most of the perceived disadvantages are false. The most quoted of these are that the dog will become fat, lazy, and useless as a guard dog. Obesity is probably the most commonly quoted disadvantage of spaying. Obesity is the result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity. The role of female hormones in preventing obesity is poorly understood. By regulating your dog’s diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in neutered or intact females.

When should the operation be performed?

Most veterinarians recommend anywhere from 6-12 months of age depending on the breed of dog. However, neutering at an earlier age, which is a common practice at animal shelters, does not appear to be detrimental.

Is spaying performed for any other reason?

The operation may be performed for several medical conditions. These include:

Treatment of intractable false or phantom pregnancy
Treatment of irregular or abnormal cycles due to ovarian cysts
Treatment of uterine infection (pyometra) or cancer
Dystocia (difficult birthing) or post caesarean-section surgery
An aid to correction of certain behavioral abnormalities

I have heard that letting my dog have one litter will calm her down.

There is no scientific evidence that having puppies has any calming psychological effect. This myth has no basis in fact.

Why should I have my dog neutered?

Reduce the risk of prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostatitis. Neutering should be considered if you are keeping any male dog as a pet. Remember that Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, and Dogs for the Disabled are routinely neutered, and this does not impair their ability to perform their duties.

Risks of mammary cancer in unspayed female dogs

Mammary tumors are more common in female dogs that are either not spayed or were spayed after 2 years of age. The risk of a dog developing a mammary tumor is 0.5% if spayed before their first heat (approximately 6 months of age), 8% after their first heat, and 26% after their second heat.

More than a quarter of unspayed female dogs will develop a mammary tumor during their lifetime. The risk is much lower for spayed female dogs, male dogs, and cats of either gender. In female dogs, 50% of mammary tumors are benign and 50% are malignant.

What are the advantages of neutering my male dog?

Reduces the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis
Reduces the risk of hormone-related diseases such as perianal adenoma
Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, the second most common cancer in intact dogs
Removes sexual urges, which usually decreases roaming behaviors
Reduces certain types of aggression

What are the disadvantages?

Most of the perceived disadvantages are false. The most quoted of these are that the dog will become fat, lazy, and useless as a guardian. Obesity is probably the most commonly quoted disadvantage of neutering. In most cases, obesity is the result of overfeeding and not exercising enough. By regulating your dog’s diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in both neutered and intact males.

Neutering doesn’t cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness and affection.

When should the operation be performed?

Most veterinarians recommend neutering at around six months of age. However, neutering at an earlier age, which is a common practice at animal shelters, does not appear to be detrimental.