Should You Spay Your Dog?

There are benefits and drawbacks to having one's female dog sterilized. The vet removes the dog's uterus and ovaries, preventing the dog from becoming pregnant and having puppies. The procedure is performed at the vet under general anesthesia, and the dog is discharged the same day with the prescribed medication.

What does it involve? 

The following is an overview of the spaying procedure:

• To put the animal to sleep, a general anesthetic is administered.
• An incision in the abdomen is made by the veterinarian.
• The ovaries and uterus are carefully located and removed.
• Sutures or staples are used to close the incision.
• The animal is moved to a recovery area to recover from anesthesia.

The entire procedure usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, and most dogs are able to return home the same day. Following surgery, it is critical to follow the veterinarian's care instructions and to keep the pet quiet and calm while she recovers.

Advantages of sterilization

Sterilization protects against uterine and ovarian diseases such as uterine inflammation and ovarian cancer. Cancer of the mammary glands can be avoided if the dog is sterilized at a young age. All bitches have a 25% chance of developing cancer in the mammary glands during their lifetime, but neutering the dog reduces this risk to 8% if the bitch is sterilized before the second estrus (heat cycle) and to around 1% if the bitch is sterilized before the first estrus. As a result, the earlier the better.

Other benefits include the dog not having to deal with the stress of being in heat (estrus) or false pregnancies caused by hormonal influences. These stressful periods can be avoided, as can activities such as walking the dog in a nappy, dog roaming for a mate, and avoiding interactions with other dogs on the walk or during outdoor excursions. You also avoid the risk of unplanned pregnancies and finding a home for the resulting puppies.

Disadvantages of sterilization

Because of the procedure's reduced metabolism, sterilized dogs gain weight more easily. This potential excess weight can be easily avoided or treated by implementing a new diet. Choose dog food with a low calorie content so that the dog feels full and receives adequate nutrition. Excess weight can also be avoided with the proper amount of exercise. Always make sure that the exercise is tailored to the dog in order to avoid stressing the dog's joints and bones.

Some spayed dogs can develop urinary incontinence later in life. Urinary incontinence occurs when a dog is unable to hold urine while relaxing or sleeping, causing it to dribble urine. This condition can be treated with medication. Sterilized dogs can be fed a reduced amount of protein to avoid straining the urinary tract. If you suspect your dog has a urinary tract infection, always contact your veterinarian. 

Some bitches will lose the shine and glossiness of their coats as a result of spaying, making the coat appear dull and dull. However, this is not something the dog can feel and is not a problem for which medication is prescribed. 

Other low risk disadvantages include complications from the use of general anesthesia, infection and bleeding. 

Overall, spaying dogs can have many benefits for both the pets and their owners. When considering spaying it is a good idea to speak with the veterinarian to determine the best course of action for the individual pet.