[jenneses]

I'm not sure how to word this... I was reading this article, http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf, and wondered, "Why don't they neuter dogs like they did my Uncle when he had his vasectomy?"

Wouldn't that solve most of the associated risk and have the benefit of limiting unwanted puppies because I am a SPO and will let my dog indiscriminately hump unaltered females all over the known universe (or just in VA because I'm kind of lacking funds for any heavy traveling). Also, would removing the uterus, but leaving the ovaries also reduce risk and maintain the health benefits of having sex hormones?

Does anyone have any information on this?

 

[Willowy]

I've never actually "met" (online or in person) anybody who's had a dog vasectomied, although apparently some cat breeders keep a vasectomied tom around to bring females out of heat. I do plan to ask my vet about it if I ever get a male who isn't already neutered. I don't know how many vets do dog vasectomies.

It's not so easy for females. The chances for mammary gland cancer get higher every time she goes into heat. She would still attract males when in heat. And I'm not sure if dog anatomy allows for removal or the uterus while leaving the ovaries.

 

[Amaryllis]

I think they don't do that with males because of the behavioral issues involved. The dogs would still be inclined to mark, chase and tie with females, etc. People underestimate how hard it is to keep some dogs away from females in heat. Dogs will chew through doors (destroying their teeth), bull through fences (breaking shoulders) and even go straight through a glass window, severing arteries. That was a news article I wish I hadn't read.

As to females, leaving the ovaries intact would still leave the female open to mammary cancer and being chased and tied by males.

 

[Pawzk9]

I've never actually "met" (online or in person) anybody who's had a dog vasectomied, although apparently some cat breeders keep a vasectomied tom around to bring females out of heat. I do plan to ask my vet about it if I ever get a male who isn't already neutered. I don't know how many vets do dog vasectomies.

It's not so easy for females. The chances for mammary gland cancer get higher every time she goes into heat. She would still attract males when in heat. And I'm not sure if dog anatomy allows for removal or the uterus while leaving the ovaries.

I know that Wolf Park had the uterus (but not ovaries) removed on a wolf named Marion the Barbarian. Behaviorally they did not want her to reproduce, but if she was totally spayed, she would have had to be removed from the pack or it would be a risk to her life. I don't know if they did vasectomies on males they didn't want to breed. But one of the main reasons most people spay is to avoid the mess and fuss of estrus. And a lot of people neuter because eunichs don't act like mature adults.