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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on January 12, 2012 at 10:10am

Have her spayed...it's easier on the dog and on you. No messy blood and even if she's always with you it's still much easier.Having unspayed females could still be a problem as their "scent" can be smelled quite far and if a male dog does show up you could have a mess. All my dogs that aren't for breeding are spayed and I believe it's better and easier for them also.

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Permalink Reply by Erika on January 12, 2012 at 10:15am

My opinion is to spay for sure. Spaying: reduces several health risks.  Also, you will have to clean up after her during her heat; females can go a little crazy and I have seen them jump through class to get to a male;  And there is always the worry of  accidently exposing her to a male;  A male can scent a female over a mile away. We have had males rip down our fence trying to get to in.  

I hope that helps?  Piper is a cutie. 

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Permalink Reply by Beth on January 12, 2012 at 10:15am

Spaying greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer in female dogs. 

 

It also virtually eliminates the risk of this:

 

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2109&aid=918

 

There is some argument that males can be safely left intact, but females who won't be bred should nearly always be spayed.  It can save their lives.

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Permalink Reply by Chris West on January 12, 2012 at 10:22am

Please spay her.  It is healthier for her and do you really want to deal with an "accident" litter?   Because let me warn you, just cause she is in inside dog, does not mean she can't get caught.  Do you take her outside to go to the bathroom?  You would be amazed how quickly a male can sprint into your yard and lock on.  I have seen male dogs knock down screen doors to get into a house where a female is in heat!

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Permalink Reply by Yuki & Ellie on January 12, 2012 at 10:23am

I agree with Jane.  Have her spayed.  Even though she's an "inside dog" you need to prepare for the fact that she may get out unexpectedly (runs out the door when you're not looking, finds a hole in the fence you didn't know about, etc.)  Having an accidental pregnancy is always an issue with an intact female.  Spaying also eliminates the possibility for cancer of the uterus, as the uterus is removed.  In my opinion, any dog (whether male or female) that is not being used in a responsible breeding program should be spayed or neutered. 

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on January 12, 2012 at 10:36am

Yes.  And the sooner the better.  It is healthier for the dog, and what would happen if she accidentally got out and got pregnant?  I am a stickler on this....unless you are a responsible breeder, your dog needs to be fixed.

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Permalink Reply by Jane on January 12, 2012 at 10:42am

Yes I would have her spayed. It greatly reduced her chances of mammary cancer and pyometra. There is no reason to keep her intact if you aren't going to breed her IMO.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer&Piper on January 12, 2012 at 11:58am

Thanks for the input! She has been in heat twice, I got the reusable cloth diapers from Pet Smart, they worked great a night time while sleeping!  If getting her spayed is better for her health, I am all for it! I think I'll make an appointment today!

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Permalink Reply by Beth on January 12, 2012 at 12:03pm

Hooray!   And she's very cute. 

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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on January 12, 2012 at 12:17pm

Good to hear! Every heat cycle she has she has a (I THINK) 30% increased chance of getting mammary cancer, pyometra is also very common in unspayed females. One of my friends who is also a tech just told us about a 5 year old female they had to euthanize because of pyometra, the owner waited too long to bring the dog in. Symptoms of pyometra can be sort of unspecific until the dog is very sick. Also there is the risk of her having a false pregnancy and mastitis (which just happened to one of our recently in heat then spayed rescues). She will feel much better and have much less desire to roam when spayed. Recovery is generally quick, the first 2-3 days are the worst, but then its a battle to keep them quiet! :-) 

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