| Every year thousands and thousands of cats and dogs are euthanized
because they lack a home and family to adopt them. We humans are to blame for
this situation. Every year the newspapers are full of articles submitted by the
S.P.C.A. relating to the number of animals they have had to kill. As responsible
pet owners we have to make the decision whether or not we want to contribute to
the problem or do our part to keep unwanted pets out of the shelters and off the
streets. So when do we need to neuter or spay the animals? We need to decide by
the time our pet is 6 to 8 months old whether or not to sterilize him/her. Being
a responsible breeder is no easy task and there is no profit to be made. Breeding
is done strictly for the betterment and continuation of the breed. The costs of
the stud service, the buying or making of a whelping box, the veterinarian bill
for the care of the mother dog, possible fees for delivering the pups, puppy food,
veterinarian checkups for the puppies, eye exams, worming, fees for docking of
the tails, vaccinations, etc., etc., quickly eat up any profits to be made. Then
there are the countless sleepless nights waiting for the moment of birth, worrying
about the newborn puppies, the noise from yelping puppies keeping you awake. It's
simply a labor of love for a responsible breeder. Whether or not you have
a mixed breed or a purebred dog you need to take the precaution so that accidental
breedings do not happen. If you have an unspayed female dog you dog will every
6 to 10 months go into heat that lasts about 3 weeks. A heat is also known as
an oestrus period. During this time the female will have menses or a period, where
she will secrete blood from her vagina. This is a messy situation for a house
pet. There are protective garments that may be purchased to contain the mess,
but also help deter unwelcome entry from male dogs. Also during this time your
dogs behaviour may change and she will be less obedient. Unsterilized (un-neutered)
male dogs can become agressive and may show overt sexual behaviour when there
are in-season females nearby. The male dogs will mark territory in the neighbourhood
or in the home by urinating small amounts. Adolescence, is a trying period. Your
male dog and you will likely have confrontations over whom is the alpha personality.
Now is the time to remember, that you love your dog, but you are the master. To
spay a female dog, a veterinarian removes it's uterus and overies. A male dog
is neutered when the veterinarian removes the dog's testicles. Both operations
are usually safe and require one nights stay at the clinic. The benefits
to sterilizing your dog not only include unwanted off-spring, avoiding temperment
problems, but also can benefit your dogs health. Having your pet sterilized will
decrease the risk of developing tumors in the genital area. Males can develop
problems with the prostate gland. Females can develop problems with the mamary
glands. Consult your veterinarian before your pet becomes 6 months old. Take a
trip to your local S.P.C.A. and take a look at all the homeless cats and dogs
before you decide to leave your pet unsterilized. -------------------------------------------------
// ------------------------------------------------ Reprinted with permission
by Terrie Simpson. | 
