Why You Should Spay your Dog?

Why You Should Spay your Dog?

Dog spaying or ovariohysterectomy is the surgical removal of the female reproductive organs. The operation removes the two ovaries, the uterine horns and the body of the uterus. In most cases, spaying operation takes about 45 minutes to an hour to perform including the required time for preparation and anesthesia. However, for older or large-breed dogs, the procedure may last longer and may require two surgeons to do the process.

Like in humans, spaying operation in dogs requires general anesthesia to induce complete unconsciousness and relaxation. In the typical case, the dog will receive a pre-anesthetic sedative-analgesic drug to help her relax, a brief intravenous anesthetic to allow placement of a breathing tube in the windpipe, and subsequently inhalation (gas) anesthesia in oxygen during the actual surgery. After the operation, a dog is usually recommended to stay in the hospital from one to two days.

Spaying is done to female dogs to avoid heat (estrus) cycles, prevent pregnancy, remove diseased or cancerous female reproductive organs and markedly decrease the risk of acquired diseases of the female reproductive system. The spay operation essentially removes the possibility of a severe infection of the uterus (pyometra). There is also evidence that spaying a dog at an early age markedly reduces the future risk of developing mammary (breast) cancer.

The following are the advantages of spaying your female dog:

Avoid heat (estrus) cycles. Spaying a female dog eliminates her periods or menstruation by lowering the hormone levels that trigger menstruation. Thus, you will be freed from the inconvenient and messy dog care during menstruation periods.

Lessen pet wandering. Since a spayed dog will not go into heat, your female pet will no longer wander around looking for a mate and then return home pregnant.

Prevention of unwanted dog pregnancies. This contributes to the control of dog population and any unintended cross breeding with other dogs.

Complete prevention of pyometra or the infection of the uterus. Pyometra is a common condition in unsprayed dogs and is a serious infection inside the uterus which results to blood poisoning and even death of the dog if left untreated.

Reduction in breast cancer. Percentage of acquiring breast cancer is decreased significantly to 0% if done before the dog’s first “heat”.

Reduction of the spread of inferior genetic traits, genetic diseases and congenital deformities. Since your dog is no longer capable of breeding, transfer of defective or inferior genes and genetic traits from one generation to the next in a breed is reduced. Female dogs with heritable genetic diseases and congenital defects/deformities should be desexed to lessen the spread of these genetic diseases to their offspring.

Prevention or reduction of hormone-induced diseases. It is common knowledge that female dogs suffer from a wide range of diseases and medical conditions that are directly associated with high blood estrogen and/or progesterone levels, the hormones produced by the ovaries. These conditions include: vaginal hyperplasia, mammary neoplasia, mammary enlargement, cystic endometrial hyperplasia, pyometron and pseudopregnancy (false pregnancy or phantom pregnancy with accompanied signs of 'expecting' including: nesting behaviors, abdominal enlargement, breast enlargement and even lactation) among others.

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Seasonal Allergies II : Atopy...

Seasonal Allergies II : Atopy...
It is the change of the season again, everything is in bloom, and your pet, obsessively scratching in the corner, again. Seasonal allergies are immune reactions to pollens, molds, or other triggers that are present for only one season or part of the year. Seasonal allergies are evident in a variety of symptoms, such as sneezing and watery eyes. For animals, they tend to suffer skin disorders, and typically, they become extremely itchy.

Atopy or Allergic Inhaled Dermatitis is the second most common allergic skin condition in dogs, next to flea allergy, that is caused by the change in season. It is often an inherited trait that first exhibits between the ages of 1 and 3 years. It is an itchy skin disease of animals that is caused by allergic substances or allergens contacted through the air, either by absorption through the respiratory tract or through skin contact. Allergens that cause this reaction are ragweed, pollen, feathers, grasses, trees, shrubs, mold, animal dander, house dust and house dust mites. Since these allergens are very abundant everywhere, obviously, exposure can't be avoided.

Common signs of that your pet is suffering from atopy are:

feet licking or chewing at the paws
frequent scratching of the face (muzzle) or rubbing it on the ground or with the paws
scratching of the ears
shaking of the head
development of skin or ear infections due to excessive scratching or rubbing

Atopy symptoms usually are seasonal at first, with most dogs manifesting clinical signs in the summer months when airborne allergens, such as plant pollens, are highly concentrated in the atmosphere. As atopic dogs grow older, they tend to become allergic to more substances and symptoms become less seasonal. Eventually, the itchiness can go on a year-round.

Your veterinarian may recommend some medications to lessen the symptoms of this disease. These include antihistamines, fatty acid supplements, soothing shampoos and antibiotics for treatment of secondary bacterial infection of the skin or pyoderma. Other treatments such as cyclosporine and corticosteroids (cortisone-like drugs such as prednisone) can also be administered. Although corticosteroids are proven to very effective at reducing the symptoms of atopy, these drugs pose many potential side effects that limit their prolonged use. It should be used cautiously and with guidance from your vet in the treatment of your atopic pet


Unfortunately, unlike flea allergy that is easily treated, atopy cannot be cured. Dogs who are suffering from atopy require some form of therapy throughout their lives. The following are some tips to minimize the trigger of atopy in your pet dog:

Medications prescribed by your vet should be administered diligently and avoid triggering allergens as much as possible.
Allergy testing, or more commonly known as skin testing, should be done to single out specific substances to which your pet is allergic.
Strict flea control in your pet’s environment should be done since other itchy skin diseases such as flea allergy dermatitis may have an additive effect on your dog's skin condition.
Observe your dog for rashes and worsening of any skin lesions. Pyoderma is common in dogs with atopy and can add to their discomfort.

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The Advantages Of Buying From A Reputable Breeder...

   The Advantages Of Buying From A Reputable Breeder

Making the decision to add a new puppy to your family isn’t one that should be taken lightly. Many adjustments will be made by the family as well as the puppy. After all, the little pup will be leaving his momma, his littermates and the only humans he has ever known. But if the puppy has gotten a good start in life with a reputable breeder he is much more likely to have an easy time adjusting to his new permanent home.

The first thing you have to do is find the perfect puppy, and you will most likely begin by searching out a reputable breeder of the particular type of dog that you desire. The trick is to buy your puppy from someone that is ethical and that cares more about where the puppy is going than about making money.

There are many advantages of making your purchase from a breeder that value’s both preservation of the breed itself and the puppy’s best interests. First of all, such a breeder will attempt to mate dogs in an effort to promote AKC breed standards and that result in happy and healthy puppies with sweet dispositions. These breeders will provide proper care to the mother dog before and during the birth and to the puppies before they move to their permanent home.

Reputable breeders are willing to discuss the ancestry of a puppy, as well as the medical history. In most cases both parent dogs will be available for you to see (or at least the mother), when you visit. Additionally, many of these breeders will provide a puppy starter package that includes a sample of the food the puppy has been eating, and often may also include such items as a blanket that has been used by the momma dog, the puppy and his littermates, plus a toy.

Because these items have the scent of the puppy’s siblings and mother they are comforting to him. Many times these simple touches can make the difference between a smooth adjustment to a new home and several sleepless nights due to a lonely crying puppy. Speaking of problems with a new puppy, most breeders will suggest that you contact them with any questions regarding how to care for your puppy.

Reputable breeders understand the importance of socialization for dogs, and this socialization should begin as soon as possible. This means the breeder should spend time with the puppies each day. By stroking the puppies and playing with them on a regular basis they will become accustomed to human touch more quickly. Puppies should also be introduced to other people and other animals early in their lives. This helps the pup adapt to various people and animals. This of course helps to insure that the puppy will be a well adjusted pet that gets along with other pets in the home.

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