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Female (Spay)
In the female dog, heat(estrus) is very messy and inconvenient during the time they last. There is a normal bleeding present in the first part of the heat that will attract every intact male dog in the neighborhood. As part of the male normal sexual behavior they will "mark" (urinate on your tires or bushes close to the female in heat). This can be a real nuisance. It is very important to keep the female in heat confined during this time to avoid unwanted pregnancies. A female can have puppies of different fathers in the same litter.
Female dogs reach reproductive stage anywhere from 6 months to a year of age. They will have a heat twice each year (approximately every 6 months) that can last up to 3 weeks.
If you plan to breed your female it is better to wait until her third or fourth heat, so she is totally developed , de-wormed and with a solid immunity against diseases (all vaccinations up to date). She has to be physically ready to support a pregnancy and lactancy. Otherwise, the recommendation is spaying.
It is common in bitches to see a clinical condition called false pregnancy or pseudo-pregnancy. It is characterized by not only physical changes in the mammary glands with the presence of milk, but also behavioral changes like "mothering" inanimate objects and refusing to eat. This condition is due to an abnormal hormonal concentration and not to a pregnancy, but always it is better to have the pet checked by a veterinarian. This condition resolves itself spontaneously in 1 to 3 weeks. Spaying prevents recurrence of false pregnancies.
Acute uterine infections sometimes occur after giving birth. This condition called pyometra is characterized by fever, lethargy and lack of appetite. A purulent and foul-smelling vaginal discharge is usually found and can be life threatening if not treated in time. It requires surgical emergency treatment (spaying).
Spay is a low risk abdominal surgical procedure where, the reproductive organs are removed. Now at Aloha, this surgery can be performed with an endoscope which is very little invasive and the recovery time is faster. Spaying is the removal of the uterus and the ovaries of the female dog, it is an abdominal surgery that takes a little extra care and a few more stitches than neutering the male. Your female dog will be free of heat and unable to have puppies. Older spayed female dogs have less chances of getting ovarian cancer or mammary tumors.
The spaying surgery can be performed anytime after they reach 6 or 7 months. It is a myth that a dog should be allowed to have one litter first. They can go home the same day of the surgery, and they will have to be rechecked after 10 days. At that time the stitches will be removed.
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Male (neuter)
Male puppies can be neutered anytime after 6 months of age. There are many benefits to having this procedure done since reduce the levels of testosterone , male hormone, responsible for several reproductive characteristics and aggressivity.
Neutering makes adult dogs less territorial, which results in less inappropriate markings (urinating). When a dog develops this behavior it can be very difficult to stop. Excessive humping is another example of hormonal influence. Neutering at 6 months can also curb the aggression in some dogs due to the absence of the male hormone testosterone produced by the testicles after puberty. It also eliminates his desire to wonder in search of females in heat and conquer new territories.
Some dogs are born with one or both testicles undescended and still in the abdominal cavity. In this case neutering is done through an abdominal surgery. Older dogs that have not been neutered, have more chances of developing serious medical problems. Neutering is a low risk surgery and normally the dog recovers quickly.
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