Did you know that the reproductive organs are actually responsible for more than just reproduction. These organs produce hormones in the body that not only help a puppy's body grow properly, but can also aid in your dog's health for their entire life.
Years ago, people believed spaying and neutering at a young age prevented cancer. However, recent studies have proven the opposite. So why are we continuing to spay and neuter? Well, the short answer is convenience. Having an intact dog in your home requires extra responsibility and attention to details that spayed or neutered pets would not need. For example, females go into heat and males can get distracted if a female down the road is in heat. For some families this is not feasible so the easy fix is to get the pet fixed. There is also the risk of females getting pyometra (uterus infection) and boys getting sexually frustrated if they are kept intact (not fixed) and not used for breeding.
Now and when you choose to fix, your pet can play a huge impact on their overall health and longevity.
Thankfully these studies have caught lots of attention and studies are continuing to be done to determine the best time and way to spay or neuter. Currently it is recommended to wait until growth platelets have completely closed. This can be different for each breed, but golden retrievers usually have their growth platelets closed by 18 months of age. Another thing to consider when choosing the best time is girls have heat cycles. This means their hormones go through rapid changes throughout the year. As of right now, studies have shown the best time to spay a female is 2 months after a heat cycle.
Veterinarians are taking a page out of human medicine and some now do vasectomies, lap spay, and ovarian sparing spay. The benefits of choosing a alternative to traditional spay and neuter means your pets can maintain more balanced hormones while still preventing the possibility of unplanned reproduction. It is also believed that these alternatives are far less invasive and your pet will recover more quickly after surgery. Unfortunately not every vet is able to perform these surgeries so you may have to look around for a clinic offering these alternatives.
Please note we are not veterinarians.
The information we provide is based on our experience and knowledge, and is intended to help our puppy owners provide the best possible life for their Goldens .
Em's Goldens shall not be held liable for any damages or loss incurred due to the information we provide.
Please consult with your veterinarian before practicing our information.