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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 10:46 pm Post subject: Is it ever okay?

I am just wondering the thinking on this site. Is it ever okay to have an unaltered dog?
Some posters complain about others who are breeding for silly reasons, yet they have no compunction about saying their dog is not altered.
I was just wondering about others opinions? Is it "okay" sometimes to leave a pet unaltered? Or is it a "never" kind of thing?
Mommyof7
(FYI-All altered pets)

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 10:49 pm Post subject:

If there is a medical problem with prohibits anesthesia, or if you are breeding *responsibly*, then it would be ok, I guess you could say.

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 10:56 pm Post subject:

I agree with Ilana. That there are times when a pet cannot be altered due to medical reasons that it is ok. If someone is truely a responsible breeder then it would also be ok.

(edited to add: All of my pets are altered.)

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:08 pm Post subject:

most of my animals are altered (we have not altered our rabbit or guinea pig because we only have one and will not permitt contact with the opposite gender so it seems a little silly to go to such lengths...). My dog, cat, and chinchilla are all neutered, however our "feral" kitty Socks (we're thinking he was a house cat the resorted to feral life) is not fixed. We wanted to fix Socks, but he is very clostrifobic (we tried taking him inside the house but he went to nuts being indoors that he nearly had a heart attack). It was discussed and talked about, and judging his current condition and taking a guess at his age (I'm guessing around 15-17) it would be more detrimental to get him into a carrier and make him go through all that then it would to get him fixed. He's an only outside cat and we will not get anymore fixed or not fixed until he has finished living his days. We were also considering tranques but again we don't know how he'd handel it. Right now we're just praying that he'll make it through the winter... *sigh.* We're hoping to get our vet out there this winter to see if we could do something for him.

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:45 pm Post subject:

I would have to say in my opinion, it's almost never. Anesthesia is pretty safe nowadays. Personally, I would rather take a risk with anesthesia than take a risk with pyometria or testicular cancer. I guess in the case of ethical, responsible breeding, it would be OK.

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:55 pm Post subject:

I agree with most here, its ok for medical reasons, or for responsible breeding. I would add also for people showing, only cause that does not alway mean an animal would be breed due to health issues that good breeders would not want to pass on or for people like me that are showing with the not ever going to breed state of mind. I would add that is its alot harder when there not fixed as you can never let them outside without you and have to watch very carefuly for heat cycles, alot of work. I know someone else asked but I have never seen an answer, does anyone know why they have to be unaltered to show?

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 12:17 am Post subject:

all of my pets are altered ... I really want to say you should never have an unaltered pet but I know that is not the case

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 12:27 am Post subject:

I vote no. Of course I am not a breeder, they might disagree.

But an acquaintance of mine who wanted to breed her rottie girl just recently ended up in the hospital with a pyrometria and almost lost her. She was waiting for the dog to turn 3 before breeding and arranging for a mate to be flown in (I guess they do that stuff, huh!).

Plus so many of my rescues that were not spayed, breeder rescues, have problems with mammary tumors, cysts and all that fun stuff. It just really worries me...I wouldn't risk it.

But again, I'm not a breeder.

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 1:21 am Post subject:

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:13 pm Post subject:

all of mine are "done" except Ford, and his appointment is coming up. there is no reason to have an unaltered pet. If you are a responsible breeder, the pet cant handle surgery, or its a show dog, that's about it.

the dog show world (not sure if its the judges or the kennel clubs) will not allow altered dogs to show. Possibly because they want to encourage the winners to breed, but the way some of those show dogs look (so far from their original lines and purpose) makes me think that the show world is making the dogs less healthy and more prone to problems later on.

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:15 pm Post subject:

Court, bingo, I think the key word in your statement is PET. A companion animal, a pet, doesn't need to be intact. I cannot speak to the whole breeding issue, there are enough bone heads...I mean...you know...involved in that to keep the REAL breeders busy!

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:28 pm Post subject:

For medical reasons - yes. I have had 2. My senior has COPD and an enlarged heart and wouldn't survive a spay.

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:32 pm Post subject:

Sorry, GSRT, I consider that implied. A medical condition that has been CONFIRMED is obviously a valid reason. Personally, I would consider looking into the injection technique just in case, but that would be me - I just am NOT lucky, someone would end up doing the nasty! Embarassed

I have had people SAY their pet would not survive a procedure and found them to be, umm, not precisely true? If you know what I mean. Not that I would force anyone to alter their pet - but I question why they would start our relationship by fibbing.

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 4:04 pm Post subject:

GSRT has a valid medical reason, and I can understand that. I wouldnt do it if I thought my pet would not survive it, or be injured by it. But there are so FEW reasons, other than that, to NOT have it done. People have given me some of the worst "crappola" statements on this issue..."He wont be as tough"..."She wont have the 'mom" instinct so wont be so loving" (my male cat Ford is yet to be done, and he's a macho pain in the --I have a Potty Mouth-- right now, all the others are as loving as can be)
"I want my dog to be TOP DOG!" That one always cracks me up. YOU should be top dog you moron...you want your dog to refuse to let you sleep in your own bed? I can sympathise with people who simply dont have the money, but there are places like STOPP (Stop the Overpopulation of Pets) who will send you coupons to have it done by a licensed vet who bought into the program. Ford will be done for
30.00, as opposed to 90.00 by my regular vet. Yea, I have to drive alittle farther, but the 60.00 in savings wont be used up in gas...

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 4:36 pm Post subject:

I know you meant that Cats. Very Happy

Do you mean the injection for males? My sweetie is a female.

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