Neutering and spaying dogs is classed by many owners as an every day procedure and in all honesty is drilled into people as an automatic choice if they do not wish to breed from their pet.
I do feel it is important however to draw attention to the ethical and welfare issues involved as they are so often overlooked.
Animals have absolutely no choice in the matter and rely on us to make good decisions for them so it is only fair to think of things from their perspective too and weigh the pros and cons of the operation.
Please note that this article is written on the assumption that the dog in question is healthy and does not need the surgery for medical or life saving reasons. This article also primarily focuses on female dogs and its purpose is not to judge or promote either spaying or non-spaying. It is about looking at things from a different angle.
1. WHAT IS REALLY INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION:
Spaying a bitch is a procedure known as ovariohysterectomy.
First of all the dog will be given a routine check up to ensure she is fit and well enough for the operation.
After she is anesthetized the skin around her tummy is shaved and disinfected thoroughly to prevent infection and contamination.
An incision of approximately 3-5 inches in length is made near the umbilicus (tummy button). Once the skin has been cut the surgeon will then cut into the subcutaneous layer (the tissue underneath the skin). Any bleeds are clamped or cauterized.
Next the linea alba is cut. This is an area of muscle.
Underneath the abdominal organs and fat is the uterus. A spay hook may be used to pull one of the uterine horns out of the incision. This can be used to trace the location of the ovary. Great care must be taken to avoid injury to the kidneys and other organs.
Clamps are used to prevent bleeding and hemorrhage Then the clamped off ovaries are removed from the cavity.
The cervix is then pulled out of the abdomen and clamped off. The body of the uterus and ovaries are then cut away.
Sutures are placed and the cervix is put back into the abdomen cavity.
The layers mentioned above are then stitched up or sutured.
A pain injection is administered and usually the dog is able to go home the same day.
The dog will likely be sleepy and groggy until the following morning.
2. REASONS FOR SPAYING:
As mentioned above this article is not referring to animals who are being spayed for medical reasons or where measures are being taken to preserve its life.
Many owners simply do not want to be bothered with the "mess" of bitches in season and so prefer to have the dog spayed.
Others are told by experts and professionals that it is the right thing to do and that they are some how bad or irresponsible if they do not have the procedure carried out.
Another reason is that some owners have both male and female dogs and do not want unplanned litters of pups.
Then there are individuals who believe it is better for their dog's health if they are spayed.
3. THE FACTS AND RISKS:
Many vets and experts encourage early spaying of bitches but reports have shown that this may not be in your dog's best interests.
A veterinary medical database search from 1982-1995 showed that in dogs with heart tumors, the relative risk for spayed females was over four times that of intact females.
For one particular form of heart tumor spayed females had a greater than five times risk compared to non spayed females.
The risk for bone cancer was doubled in large purebred spayed females.
Studies conducted in the 90's found that females who were spayed prior to 1 year of age grew significantly taller then those who were not spayed or who were spayed after their first year. This is because estrogen promotes skeletal maturation and proper development.
Studies have also shown that spayed females and castrated males (carried out at an early age) have a higher risk of hip dysplasia.
Urinary incontinence is common in spayed bitches. Thyroid problems can also be caused as well as obesity issues.
Behavioural changes are also known due to changes in hormones.
As mentioned above certain types of cancers are also more of a risk for spayed bitches. Types include bone cancer , spleen cancer , urinary tract cancer and bladder cancer.
On the plus side spaying can also reduce the risk of some types of cancer such as uterine and mammary cancer and can also reduce the risk of infections like pyometra (uterine infection).
Spaying also prevents unwanted pregnancy.
Contrary to what many owners believe spaying does not calm bitches down. If anything it could make a formerly placid bitch more dominant and aggressive as spaying stops the production of progesterone which is a calming hormone and a serotonin up lifter.
It is important to realize that all surgeries come with risks so there is a possibility that something will go wrong and your dog may not make it through the procedure although this is fairly rare in healthy dogs.
ETHICS:
After reading the facts about spaying its only fair to stop and think about what your reasons really are for spaying. If it is simply a matter of not wanting pups then although this is a good reason - if you do not have males with females and you are responsible in that you do not let your dog out to roam the streets then other measures can be taken to keep her safe. If you are seriously in doubt that you can keep males away then certainly spaying is advised.
If health reasons are your main concern then as we have seen above there are many pros and cons to having the procedure. Would it be better for your dog to remain in a natural state than to unnaturally have her reproductive organs removed?
As for owners who do not like cleaning up mess from seasons every six months it is worth considering if you are really ready for dog ownership as dogs can be messy at all times of the year - in season or not in season.
Muddy paws , dirty coats and shedding are all every day aspects of dog ownership. Having a bitch in season is not really that big a deal. Special nappies can be purchased to prevent soiling of carpets etc.
It is fair to say that if your sole reason for spaying is that you do not like mess then the operation could be viewed by many as mutilation and therefore highly unethical.
Is it really the right thing to do? will it make you a "good" owner? Maybe, but being a good dog owner also involves being informed and doing what is in the best interests of your pet. Spaying is not always the right or ethical choice.
Think for a moment: what are the effects of similar operations on human women? how does it effect their hormones and over all health? Is it reasonable to think that such a major operation will have no similar effects on your dog?
CONCLUSION:
The purpose of this article is not to discourage spaying or neutering of dogs nor is it to judge those who have had or are planning to have their pet neutered. It is to educate owners and encourage them to look at all the facts before trustingly sending their dog to have a major operation that will alter them permanently and irreversibly.
Everyone should be informed thoroughly before making such a big decision. It is not a minor insignificant procedure as many people and organizations would have you believe.
Educate yourself on the facts first and make sure you thoroughly examine your reasons for putting your dog through any type of medical procedure as they too have to live with the resulting consequences and health problems or benefits and they cannot easily communicate to you how they feel emotionally or mentally.
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