Pet Sterilization Laws Raise Health Concerns

Comments

• dlroberts

  May 2008 edited November -1

  Articles like that kinda frustrate me. They raise some interesting points, but they use fuzzy terms to enflame the issues. Things like "increased risk" and "double the incidence" are meaningless without data but get people all riled up. At least at the end of that article they quoted a vet as saying those "increased risks" were not enough to dissuade him from recommending spay/neuter to most dog owners.
• ivanmeza03

  May 2008 edited November -1

  ok.... im very very confused right now :S
  
  "Studies have found that spayed or neutered dogs are at increased risks for problems including certain cancers, thyroid disorder, incontinence and some of the same behavior issues that the surgeries are said to prevent."
• dlroberts

  May 2008 edited November -1

  Those statements are very misleading. Suppose that the probability that a certain cancer occurs is 0.5%. If that doubles to 1.0% its still not a big deal or something that you should be worried about. However, they can say things like the chances are doubled after the surgery. I would take that with a grain of salt unless they produce more concrete data.
• tsukitsune

  May 2008 edited November -1

  The statements in the above article are very misleading. They are very general and very vague and their reporting was a bit biased.
  I wasn't posting the article to point out their data, it was to get a feedback on the residents affected by the mandates to spay and neuter their animals.
  I am an environmental law student and was very interested in the feedback.
  
  All information you find on the internet about spaying and neutering pros and cons MUST be taken with a grain of salt, even if they have a veterinarian quoting the information. The best way, I think, to consider whether or not to spay and neuter is talking to YOUR trusted veterinarian, and ask yourself are you going to show your dog? Breed your dog? Answer those questions knowledgeably and honestly.
  A majority of dog owners would probably say no, he/she is a companion dog, and for that I say spay/neuter. At this point in most societies there are just way to many homeless mixed pedigree dogs, and I certainly can't afford to contribute to that tragedy so I can and will afford to spay and neuter all my companion animals from now until the last that I own.
  There are risks and benefits to every decision one makes, but this decision came easy for me.
  If you still aren't convinced, volunteer at a local kill shelter, I think that will help your decision!
• ljowen123

  May 2008 edited November -1

  I believe that unless your dog/cat is going to be part of a well-researched breeding program, it needs to be spayed/neutered. I was thinking about someone's post (I've forgotten who - sorry) about growing up with dogs as companions and the joy/sorrow of finding homes for the puppies (why was it always your favorite that went first?). I remember that as well. We had more strays than I could remember and I don't recall a single one getting fixed. My husky was - but that was in '89 - I was 16. That's the first pet I remember getting neutered. As our cat population of strays/ferals got larger, we began trapping them and getting them spayed or neutered. It wasn't an easy process - as soon as one would show up, we'd try to catch it. I see the the commercials on TV about abuse and about the kill shelters and it breaks my heart - I can't watch the one with Sarah McLachlan - it makes me cry.
  
  I wonder how many fewer animals would be in shelters if we could get people to understand why it so important that their pets be spayed/neutered. Then, focus could shift toward making sure that people who adopt a dog are educated as to why/why not that breed is right/wrong for them.
  
  The tough thing about this is I believe in less laws and regulations, but I think this is an area where more has to be done.
• zoiegirl

  May 2008 edited May 2008

  I do think that pets should be spayed and neutered but i agree with the article that it doesnt have to be immediately. We waited for our 1st because we wanted him to be more athletic and give his bone structure the chance to grow. Now that he's older were ready to get him fixed but i think i prefer a vastectomy to full removal... not sure yet.
  
  I think the article also tries to emphasize that just because you neuter your pet doesnt mean its going to correct certain behaviors. Granted that your right the article isnt stating everything, it is good to make people aware that there are risks and neutering isnt for everyone. If harleys says intact he will never breed and yes i can say i can guarentee that as a responsible dog owner who monitors her pets. He wont be hopping fences to do the deed.
  
  The only disappointing thing is that unresponsible pet owners might point to this as a reason to unnessarily populate the world with pets who eventually end up in shelters and rescues or dont breed to better the breed but to make money or cause they'd make cute puppies