Re: Time to Spay/Neuter

["Carol Jackson" <thejacksons@dellnet.com>]

Ok here is a "Hussy Butt" story, our friends who live in a housing
development have a wire hair drouthour (spelled wrong I am sure) well, she
came into heat and they thought she was fine in their backyard that was
enclosed with a 6 foot cedar fence.  Well one day they see her butt glued to
the fence  well the rest..... use your imagination!!!  so ruined their prize
female that they were so sure would be safe in the back yard.  she was bred
by the neighbors mutt. and they were some ugly pups!!!

Carol

----- Original Message -----
From: Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>
To: <brierpups@fast.cs.utah.edu>
Cc: Ellen Parr <harriers@oregonsbest.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2000 3:47 PM
Subject: Re: Time to Spay/Neuter


> At 10:38 AM 9/26/00 -0700, you wrote:
> >So, its getting close to the time (6 months old) when the Vet says we
> >should spay Miss Maple. We figured to do that in mid October, giving
enough
> >time for recovery before the Dopey Duo spends a week at Gina's while we
go
> >to my mother's 70th birthday party in Florida.
>
> HI All,
>
> There is just a little bit more to it than the 6 month mark, more so for
> the girls.  Girls first:  Before you make the decision as to today is spay
> day you should consult with your vet, have your puppy examined for
maturity
> of her vulva and vaginitis. Bitch puppies who have had vaginitis or have
an
> immature vulva some times referred to as a high vulva should be allowed to
> heat cycle once as a precautionary measure. Mother nature seams to know
> best with dealing with some issues.  Bitch puppies that are spayed prior
to
> the onset of their first heat who have had an issue with vaginitis or
again
> the immature vulva can run a much greater risk of continual problems down
> the road with UI infections and or continual vaginitis.  Both of these
> conditions are painful for the dog as costly to the owner. I don't know
why
> this is so and I will ask "Auntie Ellen" to comment form a more clinical
> point of view and report back to you.
>
> Many vet's will still give you the option of making the call.  They will
> say it's not proven that spaying has any affect or not on the UI track and
> it's over all health.  It's my opinion however, I have seen in my grooming
> practice and in my breeding career bitch puppies that have been spayed
> prematurely that have suffered.  I don't know what the odds are but I feel
> a responsibility to advise you.  I would check this out before setting the
> date.   Please know that while 6 months is when a bitch puppy could
> conceivably come into season it not that common.  These things also tend
to
> run in families as to timing.  Our girls historically don't come in to
> their first season until after 9 months.  Between 9 to 12 months seams to
> be average for us.  Kaycee was 11 mos.  Sprite same, Scarlette, 10
> mos.  Just please consult with your vet and if you are the slightest bit
> weary wait it out.  You can always run things by me maybe even the bitch
in
> heat if necessary.
>
> On the boys:  Monza:  tomorrow! <smile>  Actually this really pertains to
> both sexes:  but seams we apply it to the boys more so than the girls as
> the boys are going to be "manly" dog men...  I usually advise 8 months to
a
> year giving the growth plates a chance to close, it's a testosterone
> thing.  This will aid in the appearance of your boy.  It's an argued thing
> once again if neutering young creates a leggy dog.  I have no stand either
> way.  But can tell you SeaJay is the best looking boy of the bunch in his
> litter and certainly a manly dog man in my not so humble opinion.  :-)
>
> On all ends of this remember being responsible for you're dog is YOUR job.
> Girls first again:  This means if you choose to keep your little girl
> intact and allow her to heat cycle once you will need to provide for
> her  absolute security when she is in her heat cycle.  Delicate as she may
> seam right now let me tell you Hussy Buns can find a way out of any yard
if
> she so desires, or she can help that guy down the block in.  Be prepared
> set a plan well in advance how your going to handle walking her and
> confining her.  Now is the time to start training her to go potty on leash
> (for those wishing to compete in obedience I suggest the use of a Flexi
> lead not your 6 foot training lead.  The 6 foot leash means no pee males
on
> this one too).  Plan for your little girl to probably spend more time in
> her crate the first week of her heat cycle as she will be bleeding or
> figure out a place in your house that makes for easy clean up or buy
> "Bitchy Britches"  (Auntie Deb Mc Fail has been known to make them to
> order?).  Plan to confine your Hussy Butt for 28 days.
>
> Boys:  Now do I have to tell you guys that allowing your male dog to run
at
> large is the surest way to end up on the wrong end of a paternity suit?  I
> didn't think so...  BTW these boys are now capable of producing sperm.
>
> So while I refrain from making  decisions for each of you I offer all of
> the above for food for thought.  Each of you are reasonable responsible
> people or you wouldn't be part of this pack! :-)
>
> Gina