To Spey or Not to Spey

[denby04]

I have booked an appointment for Lucy, my shih tzu/poodle cross to be speyed on Monday. She is almost 2 years old and I have deliberated over many months whether I should put her (and me) through the ordeal. She is not fond of other dogs with the exception of Harvey & Ollie who are both bichon frise (oh the excitement when they meet on walks). What lovely puppies they could make, but should I or shoudn't I? Lucy's present and future health is most important but some say spey after a first litter. Opions please. Also (sorry) will speying stop Lucy humping my cushion with her favourite teddy stuck in her mouth after an hour of throw, catch and return and that's after a long walk.

[AB Editor]

All answers removed due to silliness.

I repeat, If you don't know the answer, don't post!

Spare Ed

[tastymorsel]

I personally would have her spayed.There are lots of dogs(and cats) out there desperate for good homes.I dont think your little dog would thank you for adding to them,but that is just my opinion !!

[ummmm]

I'd get her speyed. Giving birth would be more risky than getting her speyed.

[denby04]

MikeIIIII, are you an a??hole responding to genuine questions in an a??ehole manner. I thought maybe I should not respond to you but maybe you will understand yes I have but responses have been inconsistent. Although my vet is very trusted there is money involved and business is business. I am asking a question with the hope that I receive responses from other responsible dog owners. PS have you been spayed (note the correct spelling this time).

[denby04]

Thank you AB Editor. Remove my response to Mikeiiiii please.

[carmalee]

denby04 - no question about it you are doing absolutely the right thing getting your dog speyed - far too many unwanted litters around, I'm sure your pooches babies would be cute but they would stop other pups getting a chance of life. Your dog will be better off after the op with no chance of a pyometra (serious problem with unspeyed bitches), - unspeyed bitches are responsible for male dogs escaping onto the roads and hanging around, getting into fights etc. 101% the right thing to do.

[denby04]

I will keep the appointment for Monday. Thank you for your (sensible) responses. (thank you Ed for deleting the responses from the "other" person).

[pastafreak]

Aside from the problem of there being too many unwanted dogs/puppies in our shelters,there is also a risk to your bitches health if you don't. This includes false pregnancies and pyometra-a sometimes fatal disease of the uterus.

[jules77]

First of all why do you want puppies? They may be cute, but you cant keep them all? To do it right, breeding is an expensive undertaking as you 'should' go through all the health checks for your breed, but with a cross breed you could be doubling up on any hereditary problems.

Speying may not stop her humping your cushions. One of mine who is spayed used to have a lovely easy to care for coat, but now is more like a woolly yhett - the vets wont tell you it may change the coat texture and make it difficult to manage. However as Pastafreak has pointed out, you do have the advantage that you dont have the worry of a pyo

This is a good read.
http://www.dogbreeder...fSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

[Cardonaldthistle]

Always spey or neuter...it's a part of responsible pet ownership.

[jules77]

If we all spayed or neutered there wouldnt be any dogs left!

[Cardonaldthistle]

No fear of that happening, Jules...visit any shelter in any city in the world.
The average pet owner (not breeder) should always spay or neuter.

[jules77]

I think it is all about responsible pet ownership, and keeping your bitch in when in season. As a child we never had our bitches spayed. I wouldnt have a male neutered, unless it was for medical reasons.

[CatGirl4]

I think you're quite right to get her spayed,unspayed bitches run the risk of pyometra,which is very nasty.Not sure about it stopping her "activities!"

[kezzarooney]

its much more hygenic to have her speyed. They bleed everywhere whilst in season and it smells awlful! i know its not their fault but the continuous licking of the privates is enough to make anyone ill.