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judy_lab · Oct 16, 2007, 09:15 AM

Could you please advice me about operating my female Labe so she doesn't have puppies?
She is 2.5 years old and she has never have puppies. I have a 9 months old male lab and I'm not pretending to have puppies. This is why I was thinking on operating my female Dog. But I'd like to know if this can affect my "girl lab". Could you please advice?
Thank you very much

katieperez · Oct 16, 2007, 09:20 AM

Contact your vet and have an appointment set to get her spayed. It is a very common and safe procedure and your dog should be back to her regular self in a week or so. You are very responsible for having this done. It will not effect her much. She may be a little calmer and she won't go into heat anymore. Spaying her will also help prevent any future health issues such as uterine cancer. It really is the best thing for her :)

Poly · Oct 16, 2007, 09:44 AM

Unless your male Lab is being readied for the show ring or otherwise stud quality, I would suggest you neuter him as well.

labman · Oct 16, 2007, 09:52 AM

Thank you for being a responsible pet owner. Having your female spayed will create some changes, mostly for the better. I frequently suggest it for aggressive or overly dominant dogs. It will eliminate her coming into season, and all the hassles, risks, and behavior problems. She will be the same great dog year around. She will also be less apt to have cancer later in life.

Consider neutering the male too. It will have all the same advantages and be cheaper. No, males don't come in season twice a year, but may go berserk any number of times a year when any female up wind comes in season.

judy_lab · Oct 16, 2007, 09:54 AM

Poly,
I don't want to neuter my male lab because he is kind of slow and he also have some weight problems already. I take him for a regular walk and take car of his diet. But he stills tending to be overweight.

Poly · Oct 16, 2007, 10:07 AM

Hi judy_lab:

I think labman will back me up on this - neutering in and of itself does not lead to slowness nor does it lead to overweight.

Maybe he can give you some ideas for keeping your dogs weight within proper bounds.

So please consider having him 'fixed'.

labman · Oct 16, 2007, 11:15 AM

Yes Poly, you are right. That neutering a dog slows it down or causes over weight is one of those myths that just won't die. I think that part of the problem is that they are often neutered at about 6 months. That is the beginning of the end of the puppy stage. They are beginning to settle down a little, and need less food as their growth slows. I see many intact males through their first year, and know how they do. Of course, the ones I know in the dog guide program aren't permitted to get overweight. We are taught to check their ribs and adjust their chow if needed. The method we use is illustrated at LongLiveYourDog.com - Life Span Study - Rate Your Dog A trained volunteer checks each puppy every month. If the puppy is overweight, the raiser will be told to feed it less.

bushg · Oct 16, 2007, 11:23 AM

Judy, I can tell you that I have a male and female dog both are small dogs and spayed and neutered neither of them are over weight. Both were 1 year old when altered. My 4 cats are spayed/ neutered and only 1 is slightly over weight but he is 13. You will be doing your pets a favor by getting them spayed/neutered.

judy_lab · Oct 16, 2007, 01:43 PM

Thank you very much to all.
I was no sure because I don't want my dogs to change the way they are. They both are different but they both are great and are my best friends ever.
I just would hate submitting them to an operation they wouldn't need just because it is less work latter. I'm OK working on and for my dogs.
Thanks a lot for your advice