(06-11-2012, 06:14 AM)Sian Lewis Wrote: As I mentioned earlier, spaying a bitch before she is 18 months dramatically reduces the risk of them developing mammary cancer. Sadly, our last dog, Fen, wasn't spayed until we adopted her at two years old (she was also a rescue) and she died from mammary cancer aged 12.
Unless you intend to breed with your dog (which I feel should be restricted to licensed breeders only) I believe they should be spayed or neutered. Hormones build up in un-neutered males if they are not bred and it leads to serious confusion and often aggressive behaviour in them which is entirely unfair.
At our local country park, there is a man who walks his chocolate Labrador and he has flatly refused to have him doctored. He is a big dog and he has hurt several other dogs (my own included) by trying to mount them.
I'm sorry to hear that about Fen. I am lucky enough to not have to deal with mammary cancer but now that I have a number of dogs, I can no longer tolerate lax pet ownership.
I am definitely an advocate for spaying and neutering. Of course spaying can cost more than three times the price of neutering here in our country. Unfortunately some people aren't just willing enough to spend on extra fees such as this. Other's don't even have their dogs vaccinated. It's like they don't see stray dogs walking around our streets or being neglected by their owners.
I have two males and three females. The little ones have not yet been spayed but I've already asked the vets on the estimated bills and expenses regarding such. Dealing with estrus days is such a nightmare, just like what TreeClimber has mentioned.
