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SPAY? - SHE'LL GET FAT!! NEUTER?
- OH NO !!! |
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Yeah, you are probably right. She'll get fat. But, it is probably not going to be because
she was spayed. It will be because she
was overfed and under exercised!
Spaying usually occurs at about the same time that the big growth
period ends and the need for excessive quantities of food ends. But, all too often owners forget that and
continue to feed the same quantities.
They also do not make note of the reduced activity of the now maturing
once nonstop puppy. In class the other day two females almost two years
apart in age both showed signs of gaining weight. One person commented that it was because
the older one was spayed. Ahem. Both are from the same household, one
spayed and the other one not so run that by me once again? Changes in schedule resulting in reduced
exercise but without reduction in food was the culprit! Hormone changes take place but the result is just
the same - too much food for the needs of the animal. But, why spay?
Oh, let me count the ways.
Unless the female is an excellent example of her breed, has been
proved free of the crippling diseases inherent in her breed she should not be
bred. If her origin is unknown that is
even more reason since knowledge of her parents and the genetic
predisposition for certain health problems is unavailable and trouble is just
around the corner. The trouble, of
course, will be experienced by the owners of the pups and the pups themselves
as they mature and develop the health problems that were hidden in those
genes. Pyometra is an often deadly infection of the
uterus that only seems to become apparent when it is life threatening. The suffering on the part of the bitch
doesn't begin to justify avoiding the spay operation. Incidentally, that operation when performed
by a qualified veterinarian will be done with gas anesthesia, with a very
small incision and the result is very rapid recovery. Furthermore, pyometra
usually results in spaying but with the unfortunate complication of the dog having
to fight a raging, life threatening infection! Additional benefits are not having to deal with a
bloody mess for 3 weeks every six months, false pregnancies, the
"boys" banging on the door and Her Wonderfulness trying to help
them in anyway she can! As for the boys themselves, they should also have
something extremely worthwhile to contribute to their breed, be evaluated for
health problems and properly matched with a female of compatible
pedigree. But very few animals meet
those requirements! A neutered male is still a male and will still guard
the house (as will a spayed female presuming each would do that anyhow!) but
he will be less inclined to want to pick a fight with any other male dog he
sees. He will be easier to keep at
home where he CAN guard the house rather than trying to escape any chance he
gets to check out the chicks. And,
that rather socially unacceptable humping anything in his path behaviorism is
brought under control. * Furthermore, the health problems of the male species are
also reduced or eliminated completely and he does deserve having the chance
to live a long, healthy life. As for either of them becoming lethargic couch
potatoes that is up to their owners much more than the hormones. Feed properly, maintain a schedule of
adequate exercise, and train your animals so that they are well behaved and
can accompany you for walks whether in the country or the center of town. *Neutering does not always remove undesirable
behaviors. Often training is the
answer to the problem. H |