| Responsible pet owners choose to spay their | | | | which also increases the risk of them being hurt |
| female dogs for a variety of reasons, including the | | | | or lost.o A hysterectomy also still allows a female |
| protection of a dog's overall health and to control | | | | to participate in regular mating habits. This, |
| pet overpopulation. While the miracle of birth is | | | | combined with the hormones she produces, more |
| fascinating to many and most are particularly fond | | | | easily attracts male visitors to the owner's yard, |
| of new puppies, the fact is that pregnancy and | | | | which can be a danger to the family, other pets |
| birth can cause a variety of health issues in dogs. | | | | and increases the amount of pet waste in a |
| Also, cute puppies grow into adult dogs and | | | | yard.o By allowing the dog only a hysterectomy |
| without a proper home being available for these | | | | and keeping hormone production in tact, owners |
| dogs, allowing female dogs to breed only | | | | also greatly increase the likelihood of the following |
| increases the likelihood that her offspring will fall | | | | in their pets: |
| prey to unfortunate circumstances caused by pet | | | | 1. Uterine infections |
| overpopulation. | | | | 2. Mammary cancer |
| Health Issues | | | | 3. Tumors in the ovaries or uterus |
| Pregnancy and birth are not always the safest | | | | 4. Coat problems (Due to hormonal imbalances) |
| occurrences for some dogs. As a result of either, | | | | 5. False pregnancies and other hormonal |
| the risk to a female dog's health is increased as | | | | imbalances (Many of which are characterized by |
| mammary gland infections and uterine infections | | | | uterine swelling, engorged mammary glands and |
| may occur. While many believe that placing a dog | | | | behavioral changes) |
| on birth control pills or having them undergo a | | | | Spaying a female dog involves the complete |
| hysterectomy solves the problem of reproduction | | | | removal of ovaries and the uterus, which |
| and is enough to ensure a dog's optimal health, | | | | prevents hormone reproduction, hormone |
| this is simply not true. Often, birth control pills and | | | | imbalances, heat cycles and mating rituals, as well |
| hysterectomies (which do not remove the full | | | | as unwanted pregnancies. |
| reproductive tract) actually contribute to poor | | | | Overpopulation |
| health in animals. | | | | Pet overpopulation is a real problem in |
| The following is a list of increased risk factors | | | | communities all across the globe. Unwanted dogs |
| that may occur when spaying a dog is avoided in | | | | are more likely to be abused or neglected, and |
| favor of other methods used against | | | | finding homes for unwanted pets is a difficult task. |
| reproduction:o Like most synthetic medications, | | | | Without suitable homes for these animals, many |
| birth control pills can cause unwanted side effects | | | | are euthanized, as an attempt to control |
| and cannot be used permanently. Thus, a dog can | | | | unwanted pet populations. Responsible pet owners |
| still become pregnant.o A hysterectomy, also | | | | who understand the importance of these issues |
| known as a tubal ligation, leaves a female dog's | | | | opt to spay their female dogs in order to prevent |
| ovaries intact and allows the dog to still produce | | | | them from reproducing. |
| hormones that are produced in the ovaries, and | | | | To safeguard against the many common health |
| to experience semi-annual heat cycles. While this | | | | perils in female dogs that are allowed to |
| appeals to many pet owners, many do not realize | | | | reproduce or who are given limited forms of birth |
| that allowing the presence of hormones and heat | | | | control and prevention, spaying a female dog is |
| cycles increases the likelihood that a pet will try to | | | | the best and safest option owners can bestow on |
| escape the house or yard during mating season, | | | | their beloved pets. |