Okay I don,t fancy having her spayed now thinking about the major surgery she will have to go through, but on the other hand two seasons twice a year, and the risk of cancer later in life according to the vet, so is there an acceptable alternative?Thanks for advice Jane

Molly, I answered to your last thread :rolleyes: ;) :D

You can posponed the season but I think it would have to be for a very big reason, but used once or twice because her owner is in hospital or getting married would be OK. Other wise you learn to deal with it, after the first couple of times it becomes no problem at all. Experianced dog owners accept the hormonal problems that come with dogs and bitches and to be honist unless you are stupid, like me, and keep both sexes together, you will soon learn to deal with your dogs sexuality in the same way as you deal with a pups bad manners. You also need to know how to check your bitches mammary strip, which you need to do even if they are spayed, and to know the symptoms of pyometra, which if not ignored can be delt with. It is much the same as knowing what to look for in bloat, fleas & ear mites. Ja:)kie

Ok, I'm demonstrating complete ignorance here, Jackie:
But what's a Mammary Strip and how is it supposed to be checked?
What would I be looking for?

Just the same as you do for yourself, run the tips of the fingers down the line of the nipples and for about 1" to 2" all round. You should check males too, it is unusual but tumours do occour in dogs. You are looking for any change or small lumps, at pea size they are easy to deal with, when you can see them with the eye they may have gone too far for easy removal and the whole side may have to be stripped. I do it every time I groom but once a week or even once a month should do. Hope that makes sense, I keep getting spoken to, and it's dificult to hold concentration. Ja:)kie

Ok, I see now what you're talking about :) Didn't realize that it was one of those things that everyone SHOULD do ;)
I check unconciously anyway with my two...especially Samma, since she has problems with folicle cysts. :( She likes having her chest and tummy rubbed, so it's easy :)

No law about it Sara, just the best thing to do if you want to avoid problems. IMO vets would be better employed explaining to dog owners what and how to look for problems that may happen instead of trying to encourage spays & castrations but I don't supose there is much money in giving advice. Ja:)kie

Hear Hear Jackie :-). That said, my vets do.

Another piece of info which I have never heard a vet give to people with puppies is how to tell if your bitch is coming into season.

This is something I would like to see vets give advice on. Also i recently asked three small animal vets about vasectomy instead of castration and two of the three were completely unfamiliar with it :(

Theresa

When I called the vets to book Hollys injections and puppy check I was also told the price for a spay and asked if I wanted to book her in. I told the receptionist that I wasn't having her done and she said that she'd mark it on the notes.

When I took Holly in the vet read the notes and gave me a leaflet on what to watch out for when she came into season and what to watch out for afterwards. They didn't seem concerned about me not having her done but did request that I book an appointment after she'd finished so they could give her the once over re infection.

Fiona
x x x

I think there will always be supporters for and against, I must admit i am not keen on using drugs to control when a bitch has a season ......which would be one of the alternatives I guess. For my part I have just recently had my Terv bitch done and feel it was the right decision for us in our circumstances. I have kept entire bitches before, but in my case I found exercising a very active bitch in season was difficult - not impossible but one needs dedication and the right environment. They are not really a breed who can do with being at home when in season,and they need long walks and mental stimulation too. I suspect it may be easier with more laid back breeds who may accept restricted exercise etc.

I spayed my current bitch because I have remained terrified of pyometra after one contracted it at nearly 11. She didn't show the symptoms, she was just a little - only a very little - quieter. She was spayed and lived to nearly 16.HOrrible decision though and itsnot something I ever want to live through again.

I have friends whose dogs have had pyo at just 4 years of age. It can as we all know be very dangerous so I opted for the spay with my newest bitch as I feel it is better to spay a healthy young dog rather than possibly a sick older one.

Of course i would probably feel differently if I hadn't nearly lost my other with the problem. I guess it all depends on where you are standing at the time.

Tell you something else - I left my youngster at 8.30am. after her pre-med, and phoned up at 9.30 so upset I was all ready to rush back and collect her, damn the op.!!

Know what? She had already been spayed and was back in the kennel recovering. If she hadn't been done so quick she wouldn't have been done at all, if you see what i mean :o :)