WHY
FEMALE DOGS SHOULD BE SPAYED
Mammary Cancer
A female dog spayed
before her first heat will have a near zero chance of developing mammary
cancer. After the first heat, this incidence climbs to 7% and after the
second heat the risk is 25% (one in four!). It is easy to see that an
early spay can completely prevent what is frequently a very difficult and
potentially fatal form of cancer.
But is it too late if
a dog is already past her second heat? No, in fact spaying is important
even in female dogs who already have obvious tumors. This is because many
mammary tumors are stimulated by estrogens; removing the ovaries, the
source of estrogens, will help retard tumor spread.
Spaying removes both
the uterus and both ovaries and is crucial in the prevention as well as
the treatment of mammary cancer.
Simple Convenience
The female dog comes
into heat every 8 months or so. There is a bloody vaginal discharge and
attraction of local male dogs. Often there is an offensive odor. All of
this disappears with spaying.
What Is Pyometra?
"Pyometra"
is the life-threatening infection of the uterus, which generally occurs in
middle-aged to older female dogs in the six weeks following heat. The
hormone "progesterone," which primes the uterus for potential
pregnancy, does so by causing proliferation of the blood-filled uterine
lining and suppression of uterine immune function. It is thus easy during
heat, for bacteria in the vagina to ascend to the uterus to cause
infection. The uterus with pyometra swells dramatically and is filled with
pus, bacteria, dying tissue, and toxins. Without treatment, the pet is
expected to die. Despite her serious medical state, she must be
spayed quickly if her life is to be saved.
This is an extremely
common disease of older, unspayed female dogs!
Pyometra is not something
which "might" happen;
it probably will happen.
The older unspayed
female dog has an irregular heat cycle. There is no end of cycling
comparable to human menopause. If you still decide against spaying, be
very familiar with the signs of pyometra. (These include loss of appetite,
lethargy, vomiting, excessive thirst, marked vaginal discharge).
Spaying is one of the most
important
preventative health measures that can be provided
for a female dog of any age.
What About Behavioral Changes?
The female dog's
reproductive tract is dormant for most of the year. It only activates for
the three week period of heat. This means that from a behavioral stand
point, the female dog acts spayed most of the time. It is unlikely that
any change will be evident.
The Health Benefits From
Spaying
Are Too Important to Ignore.
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