Sunday, July 7, 2013

Spay and Neuter Soapbox

Just a quick reminder that the overpopulation problem with pups and kits is only one symptom of pets that have not been altered sterile.  Of course, we may think this is the top problem, and it is significant, but no one thinks about the problems for the mom and pop dogs.

I received a telephone call the other day from a person wanting to know what to do with her male dog, an intact Chihuahua-Boxer mix.  He was overly excited because their female dog, a mutt of some mysterious breeding, was in heat.  Although she'd separated them, the male continued to be ready to give the mutt his 'chioxer' DNA, which was causing him to have difficulty urinating, didn't want to drink, or eat, and, well, seemed to be running a fever.

Because I'm not a doctor I can't give a diagnosis, especially since I can't even see the animal, but I recommended she place a cold towel on his underparts and give him 80 mgs of aspirin (he was about 7 kg).   She'd given him naproxen, the day before, which is not helpful.  It's not helpful because it's not a vasodialator, it is a pain killer.  It talks to the nerve endings.  No cardiologist recommends taking naproxen for a heart attack. 

The point that we never got to was Why do you have an unneutered mix dog AND an unneutered mixed bitch?  For one, at least in Las Vegas, it is illegal to have any pets over 6 months of age that are intact without a breeder's permit, something that's not given out for mutts.  For another, it's unhealthy for your dogs (getting to that shortly).  For another, it's adding to the overpopulation problem we have putting, at last count, 10,000 dogs and 18,000 cats to death every year.  That's just in Las Vegas.

Health issues:  stop telling me you wanted to breed your dog.  It's not a valid, mature, responsible answer to "why didn't you spay her?"  Females that are allowed to breed or are left intact will almost certainly die young, as they develop a uterine infection called Pyometra.  Their uterus is not a pear, but a sausage, and their anatomy allows for easy access to bacteria.  These females usually have multiple mammary tumors, as well, often cancerous, also leading to an early death. It is much more common than people realize.  Going into heat every 6 months is no picnic, either, for owners or the dogs.

As for males, stop cringing and putting human emotions onto a sensible, intelligent animal. Dogs and cats could care less about breeding and that removing testicles is any sort of a concern.  They are perfectly happy chasing balls, squirrels, their own tail, fetching Frisbees or going for walks with YOU, their person.  I have seen not only testicular cancer (necessitating the removal of them anyway), but a condition where the penis comes out, gets trapped out, and eventually has blood supply cut off and the poor dog is thus, if caught in time, has first, an amputation, followed by a castration, followed by a new urethra opening which is much shorter than the one he was born with. The penis turns black and dies, and once that happens, it's surgery or death.

That is probably what the lady who telephoned me is facing (her dog).  I'd also suggest taking the male to a neighbor's or friend's for a few days (or the female) so the pheromones aren't floating around his poor nose 24/7.  She will probably not be able to afford the complex surgery, as she called me hoping for a cheap solution.  I suggested she take him to a vet, but she only has $50 to spare.  Well, not to sound like a heartless jerk, she ought not to take on the care of something she cannot afford to care for.

Which leads us back to puppy and kittens going to homes that might not have the resources to take care of a pet as it needs.  At the basic minimum dogs and cats need vaccines and to be neutered, with booster vaccines every 2-3 years and a dental cleaning two or three years or so. Annually is better but most pets can get away with every 2-3 years. They need quality food - not the cheapest nugget in a bag, and not assorted people foods.  The former is loaded with soy, corn, and other carbohydrates that pets don't need, the latter being unbalanced for nutrients required by pets.

If you can't do that, do everyone a favor and pass up the pet until you can.  Aren't you glad I'm not posting photos with this one ???