|
I have previously covered reasons to spay & neuter your dog, but since this is such an important topic to cover, it definitely deserves to be covered again. I will also be covering the declaw debate. I know this is a sensitive & heated topic for owners, so my intention, as always, is to provide you with as much quality information & facts as I can so you can be better informed as an owner to make wise decisions for your pet. Having a litter of kittens may seem like a fun thing to do. Some even believe that it helps their female cat, in some way, to develop more completely or become a better pet. Neither is true Becoming pregnant and having a litter of dogs in no way alters the maturity level of the dog, either physically or mentally. In most cases, people find out that it is hard to find good homes for all of the puppies, even if they are advertised "Free to a Good Home." In addition, not all pregnancies go smoothly. Difficult labor, puppy mortality, and potential health problems in the mother, such as uterine and mammary gland infections, can take all the fun out of the experience. I have included below several of the risk of keeping your female cat intact. Risks of Not Spaying 1. Pregnancy: Dogs can have large litters, sometimes 10+ kittens. 2. Mammary Cancer: This is one of the most common cancers in dogs. Spaying your female dog reduces her risk of mammary cancer by 40-60%. 3. Tumors in the reproductive tract: Cancer/tumors can occur in both the ovaries & uterus 4. Infection in the reproductive tract: Also known as a pyometra, this life threatening infection causes the uterus to fill with pus which is often fatal. The average age that dogs are spayed is between 5-8 months old, but can be done earlier. Some animal shelters spay & neuter as early as 2 months old. Early neutering does not affect the growth rate, and currently there are no appreciable differences in skeletal, physical, or behavioral development between those animals neutered early than those neutered at a more traditional age. Most dogs at our clinic are spayed & neutered are done with final boosters at 16 weeks old. For male dogs, there are different benefits other than pregnancy prevention when owners choose to neuter. 1. Prevent injury: Intact males are significantly more territorial than neutered males which causes a dramatic increase in the number of fights between intact males which leads to bite wounds, abscesses, and other injuries. 2. Reduces Roaming: Intact males are always looking for a mate which can cause them to frequently wonder away from home. This can lead to hit by car accidents, fights, or wildlife encounters. 3. Keeps your house cleaner: Intact males spray urine to mark their territory. If your dog starts marking your house & you neuter him that does not mean neutering will eliminate that behavior once it starts. 4. Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer: One of the more common cancers in dogs, we take away the testicles during surgery, this eliminates the the risk of that particular type of cancer. Please contact our clinic directly to schedule an spay or neuter for your dog If you still decide that you are going to keep your dog intact (male or female), I strongly encourage you to read our handouts on breeding, pregnancy, & partition. Please click on the picture above for direct link to our resource page. Dental disease, including teeth and gums is one of the most common problems faced by all pet owners. Many dog owners may think that dental health is primarily an older dog issue, but studies show that over 80% of dogs over the age of three suffer from some form of dental disease, but fortunately the most common forms of these diseases are largely preventable or treatable with appropriate preventive dental care and monitoring. The three most common dental diseases in dogs are gingivitis*, periodonitis*, and tooth resorption*. Dental disease in dogs can cause serious pain and discomfort, which can impact a dog’s quality of life. In many cases, dental disease causes a dog to stop eating, which leads to a variety of health problems. Below are some signs to look for in concerns to dental health 1. Red gum line near tooth 2. Swollen gums 3. Painful gums 4. Bleeding gums 5. Tartar on teeth 6. Broken teeth 7. Difficulty chewing/eating 8. Decreased appetite 9. Chewing on one side of mouth 10. Significant drooling 11. Bad breath As mentioned above, the easiest way to prevent disease, infection, pain is good dental care, health, and prevention. Brushing your dog's teeth at home, using a good dental treat (such as Oravet), and regular dental cleaning by your veterinarian are all things that can help prevent dental disease. If you are concerned about your dog's dental health, please contact our clinic to schedule an appointment to get your dog's teeth checked & a dental cleaning scheduled. **Any word marked with a * can be found in our glossary for it's definition** Glossary Gingivitis: Inflammation/infection of the gums Periodonitis: Inflammation/infection of the bone and tissue around the teeth causing tooth loss or loose teeth Tooth Resorption: Condition where the internal structure of the tooth begins to break down causing instability.  |
Archives
December 2018
Kasey Kent
|
RSS Feed