Newsletter - August 2005

Spay and Neutering 

 
We often receive inquiries on this subject from members and the general community. This article is intended to inform interested individuals as best possible about both the positives and negatives in making such a choice for a pet. This article should not take the place of professional veterinary consultation, but it is provided to help responsible pet owners in making an informed choice on the topic.

 

Because there are very few negative drawbacks to the process we will address these issues first.

 

In choosing to spay or neuter your pet one should know that if they have intentions for “showing” the pet, many registries frown upon it and will subsequently penalize the animal and owner.  At The American Pit Bull Registry we personally feel that this penalization is unfair. Shows are intended to determine conformity, skill, talent, and a myriad of other qualities, but not whether the pet has the capacity to breed. As such we feel that having a pet spay or neutered is a decision that should not have any effect on its performance or be used against it in the judging process.

 

Next in line of negatives is the potential effects of anestisizing the pet for the surgery. As with all surgery there is this risk. This risk is very minimal, however. If a pet has ever been in surgery, prior knowledge of its tolerance to anesthesia can be helpful in making an informed decision about the process. If the pet has never had a surgical procedure you should consult the operating veterinarian on ways to minimize such risk.

 

For some there are concerns that the males may have less developed chests, heads, and muscling. If this is a concern then waiting until the pet has reached one year should minimize such effects. Neutering at an early age additionally may lead to larger (obeist) males but this can often be controlled with proper nutritional care and proper diets. Because of the potential for weight gain there is also the potential for the development or aggravation of orthopedic issues such as Hip Dysplasia.

 

For females there may be a tendency for slightly increased aggression due to increased testosterone. This may be of concern to those with children but can often be more controlled with proper training of the pet and teaching children proper respect toward animals. As a side note, most bites that occur to children are a result of their lack of respect for the animal in question, its health conditions, and its defined territories. As responsible pet owners and parents the ultimate responsibility in their care lies within ourselves.

 

Female pets that have been spayed may also suffer from urinary incontinence, which is most often treatable but can be a life long issue in some.

 

Now on to the positives.

 

Spaying females eliminates the heat cycle and it’s correlated mood swings. With the elimination of the heat cycle there is no spotting which is a concern for many who feel this issue itself is enough to warrant the process.

 

Neutering males eliminates the desire to roam to find a viable female in heat. This reduction in roaming desire reduces the risk of escape and running away to find a mate. This reduced roaming desire thus reduces the risk of injury due to car accidents, territorial domination, fighting for females among other males, and being picked up by animal control officials, which is often a death sentence for the Pit Bull in many communities around the world.

 

It should be noted that dogs have a very keen sense of smell and males can often tell when a female is in heat from very long distances away.

 

For those who use their dogs for hunting purposes the distraction of a female in heat can often lead to a distraction from the task and even the loss of the male hunting dog.

 

With pets that are not altered there comes the increased risk of unwanted parenthood. Pregnancy can be harmful to females and can in some cases, lead to death.  Unwanted pets, especially of mixed varieties, make up the predominance of those euthanized daily in shelters around the world. Thousands die annually unnecessarily in such places due to unplanned pregnancies and irresponsible ownership.

 

In addition to unwanted pregnancy there also comes the increased risk of venereal disease. Yes, it is true pets can contract and pass on such illnesses.

 

For females that have been spayed their risk of dying later in life due to mammary cancer is less than 1% when the procedure is done before her first heat cycle. If spayed between the first and second heat cycle this is reduced to 8%. Those spayed after their second heat are at a 25% risk, which is the same as those who have not been altered.

 

For females that are spayed they can avoid the risk of Pyometra (uterine infection), which effects approximately 8% of the female dog population during their lifetime. Dogs are especially susceptible to this condition due to their unique estrus cycle. Pyometra can go on for a long period of time before it is detected and can become quite a serious issue.

 

For males that are neutered they have a reduced tendency in marking (urinating for territory). This alone is a good enough reason for many to go through with this procedure and can reduce negative effects of marking, especially as the male ages.
 

We hope this has given a balanced and informative review on the subject of sexual alteration. If considering sexual alteration you can find a vet near your by referring to our site link at: http://www.PitBullRegistry.com/veterinarian_locator.htm where we have over 44,000 qualified vets listed across America.