My obligation to spay Lacy
Because I got Lacy from the shelter, I am obligated to spay her - on their schedule, not one of my own. I really really really would like to wait at least another month. (She's estimated at around 3 months now). My actual vet estimated her at younger than 3 months really, based on her puppy teeth. Obviously, I will have her spayed, but I guess I just... I've heard things, like spaying an OES too young stunts their growth or makes them leggy, or whatever. I just want to do what's right for her. My vet said she'd be willing to call the shelter and tell them that she thought she was too young, but honestly, I didn't want her done until she was about 6 months at the least. Am I nuts? Is there any merit to the things I've heard about spaying them so young? |
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| Yes there is. I would go for even longer than 6 months. I convinced my son in law to wait with his lab Lucy. It has made a world of difference (we've seen the littermates, who spayed young  ). Lucy was 13 months old. She went through one heat before her spay, that occurred right before she was a year old. Mom was a poorly bred lab (with bad temperament issues - it was an accidental breeding)...so we wanted to give her all the pluses we could.Lacy likely has a BYB genetics - spaying her early will only compound any potential structural issues she may have. The hormones also help with development of temperament, personality and behavior...and any help with that is always good! I see waiting as long as possible to be one way you can have some control over her what her future may hold.  |
| http://time4dogs.blogspot.com/2010/12/r ... euter.html SPAY/NEUTER AND HEALTH Now that we have addressed the issue of pet overpopulation, let’s examine the claim that sterilization surgery promotes better health. While there are some benefits to sterilization, there are some drawbacks as well. Sterilization will naturally serve to prevent any unwanted litters. In bitches, spaying will greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer, pyometra, perianal fistula and cancers of the reproductive organs.(5) Spay surgery itself carries a somewhat high rate (around 20%) of complications such as infection, hemorrhage and even death.(5) Spaying significantly increases the rate of urinary incontinence in bitches….about 20-30% of all spayed bitches will eventually develop this problem. This is believed to be most likely caused by the lack of estrogen that results from being spayed.(1) Sterilization of males may reduce some unwanted sexual behaviors, but there are few other proven benefits to neutering a male dog. Testicular cancer is prevented, but the actual risk of that cancer is extremely low (<1%) among intact dogs. Contrary to popular belief, studies show that the risk of prostate cancer is actually HIGHER in neutered dogs than in their intact counterparts.(5) Other studies prove significant health risks associated with sterilization, particularly when done at an early age. The most problematic is a delayed closure of the bony growth plates. This results in an abnormal, “weedy” skeletal development that increases the incidence of orthopedic problems like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. Working and performance dogs, if neutered before maturity, risk the inability to perform the jobs they were bred for.(10) But by far the most startling news to surface this year is the result of a study that shows that keeping ovaries to the age of six years or later is associated with a greater than 30% increase of lifespan in female Rottweilers.(4) Similar studies in humans reinforce this finding.(7)(11) A 30% longer lifespan means that you could have many additional years with your bitch simple by delaying spay surgery until middle-age or later. Behavioral studies show that sterilization increases fearfulness, noise phobias and aggression. Other well-documented adverse health effects of de-sexing include increased risk of bone cancer, hemangiosarcoma, hypothyroidism, and cognitive dysfunction in older pets. Sterilization confers an increased susceptibility to infectious disease, and also a higher incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines.(10) So there is no need to feel obligated to sterilize for health or welfare reasons. ..... |
| And this is the article I was really looking for: By Chris Zink, DVM http://caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html |
| Spay her at 1 year. If she goes into heat before that, wait until after, and be responsible while she's in heat. Sorry, but I say screw the shelter, she's your dog now. Their priority is to prevent more extra dogs ending up in their shelter. Your priority is doing what is best for Lacy!!! |
Is the shelter staying in contact about it or hounding you (pun intended  ) about it?If they are pressuring you, I would definitely have your vet talk to them. I would think that having your vet call would show that you are a responsible pet owner who is educating themselves and discussing your pets future health with a medical professional. |
SamHeinous wrote: Question: Because I got Lacy from the shelter, I am obligated to spay her - on their schedule, not one of my own. I really really really would like to wait at least another month. (She's estimated at around 3 months now). My actual vet estimated her at younger than 3 months really, based on her puppy teeth. Obviously, I will have her spayed, but I guess I just... I've heard things, like spaying an OES too young stunts their growth or makes them leggy, or whatever. I just want to do what's right for her. My vet said she'd be willing to call the shelter and tell them that she thought she was too young, but honestly, I didn't want her done until she was about 6 months at the least. Am I nuts? Is there any merit to the things I've heard about spaying them so young? Since you adopted her from a shelter it would depend on that shelters contract. Did the adoption include a free spay/neuter? Did you sign something stating that you will eventually get her spayed or nothing at all. Our humane society adoption includes a free spay/neuter but you have to do it within 3 months. Ive never heard of them taking back a dog because it didn't get it but who knows. Just remember if you signed something stating that you will within a certain time limit and you don't, they can take the dog back. I would look at your adoption papers...if there is no time limit on the spay, wait as long as you would like. If there is you can always contact your vet and have them contact the shelter if your concerned. |
| My dog Mara was from the shelter, we got her at about 3 months, and we were supposed to have her spayed when she turned six months. Our shelter never followed up on it (even though I volunteered there at the time) so we waited until she was over a year old. If they're bothering you about it, I'd have the vet call them. If they aren't, don't say anything cause they may have forgotten. |
| It's in the adoption contract. She is technically "Foster to Adopt" until her surgery is completed. Basically the dog is "theirs" until I have it done, she's just living with me. Their policy is that after they have that last round of shots (which THEY have to do, not your own vet) they schedule her surgery. |
SamHeinous wrote: It's in the adoption contract. She is technically "Foster to Adopt" until her surgery is completed. Basically the dog is "theirs" until I have it done, she's just living with me. Their policy is that after they have that last round of shots (which THEY have to do, not your own vet) they schedule her surgery. This is making me mad!! It's not BEST for the dog!  |
| I'd get a vet to back you up on the reasoning behind pushing the spay back. When we got Zoey from the shelter we got her from, they already spayed her and she was about four months old. Having it done that early didn't have any negative effects, but I would have waited if given the choice. Vance |
Baba wrote: SamHeinous wrote: It's in the adoption contract. She is technically "Foster to Adopt" until her surgery is completed. Basically the dog is "theirs" until I have it done, she's just living with me. Their policy is that after they have that last round of shots (which THEY have to do, not your own vet) they schedule her surgery. This is making me mad!! It's not BEST for the dog! I know, me too. My vet has even been all over me to spay Ava - and I keep declining. I told her about the various reasons why, and she said "That's all myth, you need to do it or she could get cancer". I just raised an eyebrow and said, "well, maybe next time". Sadly with the shelter, I don't have that option. |
| If your vet will back you up on waiting a while, at least try that. There are obviously some merits to waiting. Technically, Lacy does still belong to the shelter so you really do need to abide by their rules. They've already put a certain amount of trust in you so do your part and hold up your end of the bargain. Many shelters and rescues won't allow dogs of either sex to be placed into homes without being spayed or neutered. Most have had no ill effects. Of course we all want to do the best thing for our dogs but shelters and rescue groups do have their reasons for the rules they have. Most importantly, don't stress about whether something awful will happen to Lacy. Early spay or neuter doesn't automatically mean all the things you fear will occur actually will, just as a spay or neuter later in life doesn't guarantee your dog will eventually have cancer. |
Print this link out and take it to the vet, your vet is saying all the info on spaying so young is Myth?  , well they can read the professors and Veterinary specialists credits at the bottom of this article. http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTerm ... InDogs.pdf No one is saying not to spay lacy just being a large breed dog she really needs time before the procedure for her long term benefits. 3 months is WAY too young to have her done. I am sure if you are armed with really good documentation for the vet they might back you up on this when you talk to the shelter, even say to the shelter you will sign a legal document to say she will definately be spayed but at around 12 months or even slightly less but not as a baby for her own sake.  Even though through the shelter you are obligated to do it too soon, I am sure signing a docment promising them she will be spayed but at a later date and just delaying the procedure for a few more months might be worth a try and the way to go for lacy and also get the vet to supply a letter to this effect too to back up delaying her spay for a little longer. Cant hurt to try that with the shelter and see what they say on this matter, especially if you say you will sign a document that she will be done but not so young.  |
| We spayed our female at about 4 or five months. The surgery was easy and the recovery was easy too. She did not get leggy or have any problems and she is now four years old. She came from a very reputable breeder who actually wanted me to wait longer. But my Vet who is also a good freind said doing it younger is a less risky surgery with less problems. He didn't see the need to wait until the first heat as was recommend back in the day. If the pup is healthy, I would do it when my Vet recommends it. I know this is a hot topic. I follow my Vet's suggestions. He is a Vet for a reason and has way more education that I do in this area. Just my thoughts. |
Baba wrote: SamHeinous wrote: It's in the adoption contract. She is technically "Foster to Adopt" until her surgery is completed. Basically the dog is "theirs" until I have it done, she's just living with me. Their policy is that after they have that last round of shots (which THEY have to do, not your own vet) they schedule her surgery. This is making me mad!! It's not BEST for the dog! No, it's not. But unfortunately, for shelters the overriding concern is not inadvertently risking making more work for themselves (population), not the health of an individual dog. If they placed the puppy young and didn't have some safeguards in place and the dog ended up not spayed and had puppies at a year old or whatever, we'd crucify them for that. As for the shelter pup in question, add to the documentation that OES are a large breed and tend to not come into season until later in life. Mine come in around a year old, though that tends to vary by line, so no guarantees. But even waiting until six months - which is still much too young really, is much better than spaying at 3 mos - odds are she won't have come into season by then. Kristine |
I think you should be firm with the shelter, assure them you are a very responsible dog owner, you WILL spay Lacy, but on a schedule that is healthier for Lacy. I mean, what are they gonna do? They're a dog shelter, not the IRS, I don't see them sending a Spec Ops team in helicopters to recover the dog. I'd say it's at least worth a try. Maybe they will listen and be flexible with you.  I understand their reasoning perfectly, but if they're inflexible and refuse to see anything outside of black and white, I'll dislike them intensely! I really dislike fanaticism and rigidity of mind. |
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