Some owners fear to have their male dogs
castrated because they believe it will cause them to get fat. Castration
won't be the cause. Over feeding will be the reason. A castrated dog has
an increased appetite and, if owners give them more food, then they will
get fat. Keep to the same feeding levels as before castration and normal
exercise and there will be no problem. However behavioural problems such
as scenting a female on heat from a mile away and doing everything
possible to get to that female could be greatly reduced or eliminated in a
castrated dog.
Castration reduces testosterone levels so he is less likely to be
attracted to other male dogs. Aggressive and dominance tendencies will
also be reduced or eliminated. Neutered males still lift their legs but
are less inclined to mark their territory They are also less prone to
certain cancers and prostate problems but they will still mount.
American research has shown that there is a 70% improvement in behaviour
after castration. Indeed it could be argued that it is cruel for un
castrated dogs not to be allowed to fulfill its natural urges.
Question:
Is it best to spay a bitch before her first heat or after her first heat?
Answer: A
number of vets may suggest that a bitch should be spayed at about 5/6
months. Whilst writing this the American Veterinary College is now
recommending as young as 8 weeks . However I have found that this can have
some behavioral effects in the second or third year.
I recommend that it is best not to allow a female to come on heat ,This is
not a complicated operation. Most owners are unaware that a females
behavior will start to change due to hormone influence about 8 weeks prior
to the heat . There are a whole host of opinions including preseason
spaying and not to spay at all.
I recommend that bitches should be spayed shortly before the first heat if
they are not to be used for breeding. She will live longer and not suffer
mammary tumors or have phantom pregnancies where a dog imagines it has
pups and produces milk. Neither will she have the mood swings from which
all unspayed bitches suffer.
This is supported by The Royal Veterinary College UK, the American
Veterinary College.
Question:
I have heard it is better to let my female have one litter of puppies.
Answer: A
female does not have to have one litter of puppies. The myth that they
need to do so may be responsible for the death of thousands of dogs each
year as unwanted animals are euthanised in overcrowded shelters. The RSPCA
reports that of all dogs born, half will not live to see the age of two
years. They grow too big, out of fashion, develop behaviour problems due
to incorrect feeding, no training or socialization.
Having a litter is not necessary for a female to feel 'fulfilled'. If the
reproduction hormones are eliminated through spaying the bitch feels no
urge to reproduce.
Question:
I have a female boxer called Lady she is 3 years old. Her teats have
swollen and the vet informed me she is having a phantom pregnancy, she has
never had sex. Is this usual and what would you recommend?
Answer: A
phantom pregnancy is when a female imagines and goes through all the
symptoms of believing she is pregnant. Females will store toys and treat
them like young puppies, her teats will get large (enlarged mammary glands
)and she will even produce milk. Her Abdomen will swell and her appetite
will change. The behavior is not good during this period.
At whelping time she will be very hyperactive and very excitable, she will
pant and even tremble. She will curl up to her toys (puppies) varying
symptoms are restlessness, whining and crying. Some females will go off
their food and expect a lot of abnormal behavior. Females will become very
affectionate to the family. Your vet should see the female who will no
doubt recommend to reduce her diet and fluid intake, since the more she
drinks the more milk will be produced. Dried food is best and plenty of
exercise to keep her bowels moving so as to excrete all the excess fluid
produced by her body.
A phantom pregnancy is not to be considered a neurotic tendency, but
should be considered as normal behavior due to an abnormality of the
ovaries.
Another theory is that the wild only the dominant female in the pack will
be covered by a dominant male of her choosing. The other females normally
produce milk for the litter which can be in excess of ten puppies. The
other females in the pack produce milk to help the mother to feed the
puppies. I would not be surprised that another female in your area in
about one kilometer has had puppies and your pet is producing milk for
them.
Your vet will treat your dog, and then I would recommend that she be
spayed, so that she will not suffer again. Having a phantom pregnancy does
not mean that the bitch is sterile and unable to be mated and bear a
litter.
Question:
I have a beautiful Husky, he was castrated when he was 6 months old and
yet he still tries to mount dogs, even male dogs, is there something
wrong, because I thought that castrated dogs did not do this?
Answer:
Castration will not make any difference to his behavior, I have known
castrated dogs that have penetrated females on heat. The mounting of male
dogs is also a form of masturbation. I would have a word with your vet,
maybe he will consider some female hormone to calm him down.
Article by David the Dogman http://www.thedogman.net
