SPAY and NEUTER

One of the most important topics I discuss with every new puppy owner is the significance of spaying or neutering their new pet. It is necessary for every dog owner to understand why this is such an important step to take for the health and well-being of their new family member. While it goes without saying that a breeding program using neutered animals would be pretty unsuccessful, breeders also need to be aware of the benefits of spaying and neutering so that they can effectively counsel new puppy buyers, as well as optimize the health of their retired breeding stock.

What is spaying and neutering? Spaying and neutering are the terms used to describe the surgical procedures that permanently sterilize your dog by removing the reproductive organs. In males, neutering, also known as castration or orchidectomy, involves the removal of the testicles. In bitches, the term spaying, or ovariohysterectomy, refers to the removal of the ovaries and the uterus.

Both spaying and neutering are performed with the animal under general anesthesia, using standard sterile techniques. Ovariohysterectomy is done through an incision in the abdomen, below the umbilicus. Once the abdominal wall has been incised, the uterus and ovaries are identified. The blood vessels and ligaments between the ovaries and the body wall are ligated and cut. The uterine body is also ligated and cut, above the cervix. The incision is closed using a variety of suture material, depending on the preference of the surgeon. Some veterinarians use metal clips instead of sutures on the ovarian blood vessels and the uterine body. These can be seen on X-ray.

Neutering is done via a small skin incision in front of the scrotum. The testicles are exteriorized, and the vas deferens (sperm transport tube) and testicular blood vessels are ligated and cut. The skin incision is sutured according to the surgeon's preference; I use surgical glue. The scrotum will shrink down to almost nothing, even in a very well-endowed dog.

Most pets undergoing elective spay or neuter will go home later the same day, or early the next day. Skin sutures may or may not be used; if they are used, they should be removed in 7-10 days. Post-operative antibiotics or pain medication may also be used at the veterinarian's discretion. Most owners are surprised at how well their pets tolerate the surgery! Post-operative care is minimal; I usually recommend that the owners check the incision daily and report any swelling, pain or discharge. I also like the patient to be kept quiet for the first week after the operation.

Why Spay or Neuter? There are three main areas where spaying and neutering will be of benefit;

1. Population control.
2. Reduction in hormone-related diseases.
3. Reduction in hormone-related problem behaviors.

Millions of unwanted pets are put to death each year in North America, many of them puppies who never had a home. Many breeders feel that this is not a problem of the purebred dog, but studies have shown that as many as 25% of dogs in shelters and pounds are purebreds! While a non-breeding agreement may help in some measure to curb irresponsible breeding practices, the sad fact is that many owners disregard these contracts, or feel that they do not apply to accidental or mixed breedings. Offering a rebate for spay/neuter, withholding registration papers until proof of spay/neuter, or spaying/neutering before sale (see below) may be more effective options for the breeder placing pet puppies.

Diseases of the reproductive organs in both dogs and bitches can be life-threatening. Almost all of these are reduced or eliminated by timely spaying or neutering. Pyometra, mammary cancer, and a variety of uterine, ovarian and vaginal tumours are virtually unknown in the bitch spayed before her first heat. In the intact bitch, spaying is often recommended as all or part of the treatment of these diseases. A small percentage of bitches spayed before their first heat may go on to develop urinary incontinence (leaking). This is very treatable, and is not, in my opinion, sufficient reason to delay or avoid spaying. In the dog, testicular tumours (especially in a retained testicle), most prostatic disease, perianal tumours, and perineal hernias are all hormone (testosterone) related, and largely avoidable by timely neutering.

Some undesirable behaviors may also be avoided or improved by spaying and neutering. There is quite a lot of individual variation in this, because other factors (training, socialization and so on) are at work here. Neutered males are less likely to roam off in search of female companionship, less likely to fight with other dogs (and be injured and exposed to infectious diseases and parasites as a result), and less likely to urine mark their territory (in a small dog, this will likely include indoor areas). Because aggression towards people can have many causes and contributing factors, neutering can not be relied on as an effective treatment, but no one should be breeding for this kind of temperment! In the bitch, ovariohysterectomy will eliminate estrus behavior, and the associated mess and inconvenience. Pseudopregnancies are also eliminated. There is some evidence that spaying aggressive bitches may actually make them worse, but again, no one should be breeding these girls!

When to Spay or Neuter? The exact timing of a spay or neuter surgery will depend on a variety of factors, such as the primary purpose of the surgery, the preference of the veterinarian, and the overall health of the animal. The "traditional" time of spay/neuter has been about 6 months of age, before puberty. This is still the most common age for me to be doing these procedures. This timing works well for the responsible pet owner who has no intention of breeding, and wants to ensure the maximum health and longevity for their pet. At this age, the dog will be skeletally mature, fully vaccinated, well socialized and able to handle the demands of the surgery with ease.

In North America, the trend in humane societies is to spay and neuter all animals prior to adoption, to ensure no further contribution to pet over-population. This involves spaying and neutering puppies as young as 6-8 weeks! Pediatric spays and neuters are the best way to ensure that a puppy you place will not be bred. This may be significant to the breeder who is doing test matings, and may therefore be producing carriers of PRA, juvenile cataracts, and so on. Young puppies tolerate the surgery amazingly well, and are usually up and running within an hour or so of the procedure! I prefer not to do pediatric spay/neuters as a matter of course for the pet owner, although I do them for our local humane society. I am concerned about exposing young, unvaccinated puppies to the stress of hospitalization unless absolutely necessary. I do not recommend pediatric neuters in large and giant breed dogs. Dogs neutered at a very young age tend to be taller and lighter-boned; this is due to the effect testosterone has on bone growth plate closure. No dog or bitch is ever too old to be spayed or neutered! I have neutered "teen-aged" dogs and bitches with no problems. I do recommend that all retired brood bitches be spayed ASAP, to avoid pyometra, and so on. Bitches do not experience menopause, and will continue to cycle throughout their lives (fertility does taper off, though). It is better for all to spay an older bitch when she is healthy and between cycles, than to wait until there are problems. In the retired stud dog, there is less apparent incentive to neuter. In my experience, however, close to 100% of older dogs have some hormone-related symptoms (e.g. prostatic enlargement, perianal tumours). These may not be clinically significant right away, but can often progress to something bothersome to all. In a kennel, it may also be advantageous to neuter a retired stud, as it can make housing easier (the neutered male no longer has to be kept apart from the cycling bitches).

Myths and Misconceptions About Spaying and Neutering
Despite the well-documented benefits of spaying and neutering, some people still hesitate because of certain myths and old wive's tales about the procedures. Let us look at the facts behind the fiction.

MYTH: "Spaying/neutering will make my pet fat and lazy"
FACT: Overfeeding and lack of exercise are the true culprits here. Many pets experience a slight drop in their metabolic rate after the surgery, but this is very easy to compensate for!

MYTH: "I should let my bitch have a litter to calm her down"
FACT: No permanent behavior changes will result from having a litter. A skittish bitch will still be skittish, as will, most likely, her puppies.

MYTH: "My dog will no longer be a good watchdog/hunting dog/guard dog if he is neutered"
FACT: Neither neutering or spaying will affect your dog's personality. Besides which, what good is a working dog that is always wandering off in search of a lady friend?

MYTH: "My dog should have a litter so my children can see the miracle of birth"
FACT: Most dogs prefer to whelp privately. Some animals require veterinary assistance, and the process generally disgusts most children. The reality of a casual litter is >50% mortality over the years. Rent an educational video instead.

MYTH: "My dog is so wonderful, I want to breed him/her, so I can have another one just the same"
FACT: If only selective breeding were that easy! If only placing extra puppies were that easy! The best place to get another Rover is Rover's breeder.

MYTH: "Spaying/neutering is unnatural"
FACT: Spaying/neutering IS unnatural, but it is also hugely beneficial. Sex in the dog world is an instinctive, hormonally-driven process; there is no evidence that dogs benefit form it "emotionally". Mother Nature's mandate is preservation of the species, not the individual; once peak fertility has passed, there are no advantages to having all your parts, and many disadvantages. I will sacrifice "natural" for "long-lived" and healthy anyday!

MYTH: "The surgery is too risky, I can't put my dog through that"
FACT: Any anesthetic or surgical procedure carries some risk, but it is very small in the healthy, young dog or bitch. Far greater risks are present in a caesarian section, a pyometra or a prostatic abcess, especially in an older animal.

MYTH: "The surgery is too expensive"
FACT: Considering the benefits over your dog's lifetime, what may seem like a high cost initially (modern, safe anesthetic and surgical equipment and supplies are not cheap) is really the best investment you can make in your pet's health. A routine, juvenile spay will always be MUCH less expensive than a mature, pyometra spay. If a prospective puppy buyer is not prepared for predictable expenses such as spay/neuter surgery, they are likely not prepared for dog ownership, period!

Alternatives to surgical sterilization
A variety of hormonal, chemical and immunological methods of "birth control" have been available to the dog owner, or will be available in the near future. Occasional postponement of a heat cycle using Ovaban or Cheque Drops is quite common in performance bitches. Birth control "vaccines" are being tested in North America now; they will likely have their greatest use in the humane society environment. Because these methods are not without side effects, and do not provide the same health advantages, they are, in my opinion, inferior to surgical sterilization.

In Conclusion.....
Spaying or neutering the pet dog is one of the most caring, responsible actions you can take as a pet owner, or advocate as a breeder. Not only will you be helping your pet to live a longer, healthier life, you help our breed (and all dogs) by reducing the number of unwanted animals that end up abandoned in shelters and on the streets.

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