Policy on Spaying of bitches
The spaying of bitches is recommended by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and our practice for the following reasons:
- Unwanted pups are prevented. This removes the problems associated with finding homes, or increasing the stray population.
- No false pregnancy. False pregnancy is very common in bitches, and can occur after each season. It may result in distress to the bitch, and anguish to the owner. A bitch undergoing a false pregnancy may produce milk, lose her appetite, show nesting behaviour and become quite aggressive.
- Pyometra and other womb diseases are avoided. Unspayed bitches can develop pyometra late in life, which then requires life saving surgery. Spaying a healthy bitch does not involve the risks of spaying an older bitch with toxaemia from the pyometra.
- Reduced risk of mammary tumours. The risk of mammary tumours increases progressively with each successive season. The earlier the bitch is spayed, the lower the prevalence. Bitches spayed before their 1st season greatly decreases the risk of mammary tumours and spaying before their 2nd season will have a beneficial effect.
- No Oestrus. Oestrus (season or "heat") occurs about every 6 months in entire bitches and will last for approximately 21 days. During this time bitches have to be kept away from other dogs and walked under close guard.
There are some reservations about spaying, but most are not justified when examined more closely. Spaying may cause weight increase, but this can be controlled by dieting and exercise.