Contraception for dogs?

[puppydisaster]

Right, I know this might make me sound like a nutter, but here's a question.

I'm not hugely keen on getting my puppy spayed when she's old enough, as I've heard a lot of negative side effects, however, obviously it's the responsible thing to do.

Humans have a range of contraceptive options, which are very rarely as drastic as what we do to dogs! Are there any alternatives, such as contraceptive injections? If not, why not?!

As I said, fully aware, I might sound like a nutter.

I understand spaying can help prevent other illnesses , as well as random pregnancy. Also stops un neutered male dogs paying your dog unwanted attention when out and about.

I'd spay a female dog without a doubt due to risks around pyometra and mammary cancer, as well as the unwanted attention that seasons bring; it's not just about contraception.

Male dogs it's much more up for debate due to the impacts on things like behaviour in nervous dogs, so I would be weighing things up more for a male.

There is medication that can suppress seasons as it's sometimes used in racing greyhounds but not sure how effective it is or side effects.
Unless she is a worthy breeding prospect not sure the health risks & managing seasons/ phantom pregnancy etc make it worthwhile not spaying unlike there being some health benefits to keeping males entire. They are them more prone the mammary/ovarian cancers later on and pyometra isn't uncommon and can be fatal.

www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/pyometra-infected-womb-in-dogs

You can ask for an ovary sparing spay - basically like getting tubes tied - stops unwanted pregnancies but allows them to keep their hormones. I have no idea of the medical pros and cons versus full spay or no spay for female dogs, so you would need to speak to your vet and weigh all that up.

I have a male dog and personally have chosen not to castrate him, as on balance I feel there is a greater benefit to his health to him having his hormones to support normal growth and development.

Yes, there are hormonal options (monthly injections which must be given on time , and which carry side effects)

If you intend to have a litter, then I think it might be better not to go the hormonal route and instead keep your dog in purdah during her first couple seasons until its time for a planned mating.

If you don't want puppies, then spaying is a better option, take breed specific advice on best time for this (it's not necessary to let her have a season beforehand, though many people do). Even if you decide she should have a season before spaying, I'm not sure contraceptive injections are a good idea. You can get a "morning after" shot if an accidental mating takes place

We're not intending to breed her - we're first time dog owners so that would absolutely not be responsible! (Also the breeder made us sign a contract saying we wouldn't breed from her. The subversive in me wonders how enforceable that would be).

Sounds like spaying is the only realistic option - but odd that there's not something more common that's less involving major surgery.

There are... but they’re not something you’d use longterm, they’re more for if you want to prevent one particular cycle but you plan on breeding later on, and they can have some pretty serious side effects - most people just let them have the season but separate them, even if it’s not convenient timing for a litter.

Spaying isn’t just to prevent pregnancy, dogs don’t just ovulate and get a period, after they come out of heat they get all the hormonal changes of pregnancy whether they are or not, basically they all get false pregnancies, just that only some are unwell enough that it’s an issue.

Also they don’t go through menopause and because of the hormone changes it makes pyometra a concern, about 1 in 4 older bitches get it and it’s hard to treat.

Thanks, that makes sense.

Just a small point - spayed or not, intact males may be interested in females.

It generally does mean she won’t be receptive to their ideas , and obviously will not be in danger of pregnancy.

Guess she still smells ( and indeed looks) somewhat feminine.

Spaying isn't a huge operation, it's about as routine as it gets. The risks for not spaying your bitch includes attracting unwanted attention from males, managing heats, uterine/ovarian cancers & pyometra (absolutely awful to witness). To me, spaying should be compulsory unless you're a registered breeder with appropriate insurances and licensing

as I've heard a lot of negative side effects

Interested to know what you've heard as the evidence in favour of spaying is much more conclusive than neutering for example.

Someone talks about tying tubes up above. As far as I'm aware there are options to keep the ovaries buy they still involve removing the womb but it's not common. Tube tying wouldn't work as it's the hormone changes that are risky for pyometra. Laproscopic surgery removes the ovaries but leaves the womb as without the hormone changes risk of womb infection is low.

As for major surgery, our pup came home from the vets four hours after being dropped off and you'd never know from her demeanor that anything had happened. Keeping her calm was the challenge!

There is the keyhole spay if you're not interested in the full spay, less invasive but way more expensive and it doesn't remove everything...just the ovaries

My dog wasn’t spayed when I got her as an older adult and had pyometra, she’s now recovering from a mammary strip as she had cancerous tumours. There are no negatives to spaying!

Spaying is incredibly safe and effective and is far more likely to prevent disease than have a negative impact. Messing around with your dog's hormones is far more unpredictable

Spaying is a pretty minor procedure helps prevent a lot of cancers as well as pyometra (an infection of the womb) which can be fatal if not caught early enough.

Please get your dog spayed. It's a routine operation and recovery is much easier than dealing with a bitch that's regularly in season for the rest of your life - and from someone who's been there, you don't want your pet rushed to surgery for pyometra!