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Healthy Pets - Desexing
If your pet is not desexed and is likely to come into
contact with other undesexed males or females during
breeding season, be a responsible pet owner and decide
NOT to have "just one litter" and have your pet desexed.
You can obtain advice about desexing animals from your
local vet or call the RSPCA, AWL.
Studies have shown that desexing provides a number of
healthy benefits for your dog or cat.
Desexing your dog is an effective safety measure to
ensure that you are not responsible for unwanted puppies
that often end up in our pounds and shelters. Many of
these cute little fur balls are the result of their
owners being slow off the mark in having their pets
desexed.
Desexed dogs or cats can live longer, healthier lives
Desexing female dogs and cats eliminates the possibility
of uterine or ovarian cancer and endometritis (pyometra)
- a very common complaint in older un-desexed bitches
Reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly if
you desex your pet before it's first oestrous cycle
Desexing male dogs reduces the annoying and embarrassing
urge of the dog to "mount" children's and adult's legs
It eliminates sexual frustration - a male who senses a
female dog on heat nearby can become destructive in it's
attempt to get to the dog. Doors can be scratched, holes
dug in the yard and the dog can even attempt to jump the
fence or through glass doors
Desexing females eliminates the frantic pacing and
crying that can occur ( cats can be particularly vocal)
Desexed dogs or cats are less likely to show dominance
or aggression
Desexing your pet ensures you don't have to worry about
what to do with unwanted litters
The biggest behavioural effect of castration is the
reduction in roaming. Roaming behaviour is reduced in 90
percent of male dogs after castration.
Desexing also greatly reduces aggression of one male dog
towards another male and reduces ‘leg lifting’ (urine
marking) behaviour.
Desexing will also reduce undesirable sexual behaviours
such, as mounting and masturbation.
Desexing also eliminates the occurrence of ‘false
pregnancies’ - a common problem in female dogs - and she
will not develop potential life-threatening but
all-too-common infections of the reproductive tract.
Your dog’s personality, intelligence, or activity will
not be affected by spaying. It is a myth that female
dogs should be allowed one litter, or one heat period
before spaying. In fact, it increases the risk of
mammary cancer. Some dogs put on weight after the
operation. Feeding the correct amount of an appropriate
diet, and exercise, will ensure your dog does not become
overweight.
Your lifetime registration costs are considerably
cheaper. Under the new Companion Animals Act you must
get your existing dog micro-chipped and registered for
life by July 2002. All cats should be registered and
collared. A desexed cat or dog costs just $35 for
lifetime registration. Un-desexed cats and dogs cost
$100 for lifetime registration.
Should the above not convince you here are some more
items to consider
Is your dog breeding quality? Is your dog a purebred?
Did you get your dog from a breeder? Did you get a 3 - 5
generation pedigree with your dog? Are there at least 4
titled dogs in the last 3 generations? Does your dog
have a stable temperament? Does your dog fit the breed
standard? Is your dog healthy and certified free of
genetic diseases? If you answered yes to all of the
above then you have a dog of breeding quality. However,
if you are not showing or working your dog, think very
carefully about your reason for breeding. Breeding
should be done to improve the breed, not so the kids can
see puppies being born, or because you want a puppy from
her. Never breed to make money selling puppies! Don't
breed out of greed!
Are you prepared in case the delivery has complications
or the puppies sac hasn't burst? Will you know what to
do ? Are you prepared for the extra costs? Do you have
the resources and lifestyle to provide extra bedding,
nutritional preparations - available through the day for
8 weeks of regular feedings, weaning, mite & worming
treatments, vaccinations, micro-chipping, health &
sanitation procedures-cleaning up lots of puppy wees &
poops, housetraining, socialization program - to help
avoid behavioural problems in the future, network to
refer groomers, puppy preschools, trainers etc, can you
and your family cope with caring for barking, squealing,
demanding puppies that can't leave their mum till they
are 8 weeks of age. Do you offer a guarantee that if the
new home doesn't work out that your puppy will always
have a home with you?
If you are still not convinced before you breed please
go to a animal shelter and watch a puppy being
euthanised.
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