Pets are precious in many ways. They minimize stress. Also, they motivate you to exercise. For instance, they demand walks. Hence, the owners can relish health benefits too. Besides, one of the common names among pets is Golden Retriever.
The guide below will let you grasp what this term means. Moreover, our prime focus is on when to spay a Golden Retriever. We have stated some advantages and disadvantages of this procedure as well. In case you do not know the difference between spaying and neutering, we are here to help. Furthermore, you can also check out alternative approaches.
Comprehending a Golden Retriever:
Prior to learning, when to spay a Golden Retriever, let’s read what the latter actually means. Golden Retriever is a dog breed. In fact, it is a Scottish breed and comprises medium size. It comes in a golden color, such as a lighter or darker shade. Besides, it lives around 10 to 12 years. This animal retains some interesting personality traits. For instance, it is kind and friendly. There are even qualities like intelligence and confidence. Golden Retrievers are quite dependable too. They are working dogs. Nevertheless, people love keeping them as pets.
Alongside being gentle, they comprise fascinating appearances as well. For example, they are powerfully built dogs. Their weight can go somewhere around 25 to 34 kilograms. And, here we are talking about healthy adults. Also, there is a bit of difference between heights of male and female dogs. The height of females is almost 20 to 22 inches. On the other hand, males stand from 22 to 24 inches. Their eyes are dark and have a wide head.
When to spay a Golden Retriever? Well, first figure out whether they are okay to spay. And, the answer is yes. The word spay refers to sterilizing. And, this is in particular for female dogs. Because, such a process involves the removal of ovaries. For males, neutering is the right substitute for spaying. This is to make a dog infertile.
Advantages of Spaying:
When to spay a Golden Retriever? The foremost task is to grasp why spaying is important. Spaying can prevent unwanted pregnancies. Hence, this aids in controlling pet overpopulation. The latter is a serious issue. There are not adequate homes for these precious souls. Therefore, on an annual basis, many animals are euthanized. In this regard, spaying seems the right decision. Moreover, spaying is helpful in minimizing the risk of cancer. They can stay safe from ovarian or breast cancers.
Also, this procedure can prevent pyometra. It is a uterus infection which is highly dangerous. If not treated instantly, it could lead to death. It is vital to remove a healthy uterus. If you are opting for removal of infected uterus, you have to spend more money. Even it is dangerous for the animal. Spaying dogs can also keep their attempts from seeking unwanted attention from males at bay.
Other reasons include odor, aggressive behavior and vaginal discharge. All these aspects can become a source of irritation for pet owners. Besides, spaying dogs can get rid of continuous crying and whining of your pet as well. Prevention of certain cancers is possible with the aid of neutering. You will notice a reduction of aggressive behavior of male dogs after this procedure.
Potential Disadvantages & Myths:
Before understanding when to spay a Golden Retriever, there is more to learn. It is about misconceptions. Spaying or neutering does have some side effects. However, many of them are myths. For instance, this procedure is too expensive. Basically, it is a one-time cost. And, it relies on various factors. Like, what is the age and size of your animal? Moreover, what is the fee of your veterinarian? If you look at the benefits, the cost is quite small. Some people believe pets can get lazy and fat after surgery. The fact is the lack of exercising. If owners are feeding them a lot, they will look chubby.
Another misbelief is to let dogs have one litter first. However, pregnancy is tough for the pet and the owner. This process puts plenty of stress on their bodies. And, it can lead to complications. Owners might have to spend a lot of money. On the other hand, dogs will require time to recover. Therefore, a better way is to opt for spaying beforehand.
When to spay a Golden Retriever? Well, let’s read potential risks first. If spaying is done before sexual maturity, some health conditions might occur. There is a possibility of decreased lifespan. Moreover, your dog might experience hip dysplasia. The enhanced incident of hemangiosarcoma is also probable.
When to Spay a Golden Retriever: The Right Age & Other Factors:
When to spay a Golden Retriever? Vets have been recommending the early age of dogs for this procedure for decades. They encouraged pet owners to spay from 4 to 6 months of age. However, further research shows that this age is not suitable. In fact, early spaying can lead to more risks as compared to perks. The fully grown body is apt for such a surgery. Otherwise, severe health issues like osteosarcoma and lymphoma can occur. There is also the possibility of joint injuries.
In terms of age, it depends on dog breed. 6 to 8 months is fine for small breeds. 18 to 24 months of age is suitable for spaying, in case of giant breeds. Golden Retriever is medium sized. Therefore, it requires one year for full body growth. Another source states the age range of 1 to 2 years. 6 to 15 months is the period when this breed commonly reaches sexual maturity. Hence, we found out the sweet spot is 1 to 2 years of age. Besides, if you opt for spaying after the first heat, it might cost you more. This is because their organs will fill with blood. And, vets have to make more efforts to complete the surgery.
When to spay a Golden Retriever? After determining the right age, there is a timeline too. You should know that this surgery will have different phases. For example, there is pre-surgery, where the vet prepares your dog. The expert carefully examines everything. This encompasses medical history. Then, there are recovery and post-recovery stages.
Alternatives to Spaying & Neutering:
Now that you have understood when to spay a Golden Retriever, let’s see some alternatives. Partial spay is one way. And, it offers many benefits. It is also called ovary-sparing spay. It merely removes the uterus. And, it keeps ovaries intact. Hence, your pet can relish health perks. For instance, it eliminates the chances of pregnancy and uterine cancer. Also, increased estrogen is good for your dog. Partial spay is not useful for eradicating ovarian cancer risk. But, the latter is rare. And, survival chances of such a cancer are higher when compared to early spaying.
If you are not into how or when to spay a Golden Retriever, or even neuter it, here are more solutions. For male dogs, there is vasectomy. This includes the removal of a part of the spermatic cord. On the other hand, the testicles of your pet remain in the scrotum. The vet can use surgical glue to close the incision. Another alternative is tubal ligation. This takes out fallopian tubes. And, the uterus remains in place. Thus, the risk of pyometra is still there. One of the sources online has discouraged this practice for dogs.
Furthermore, instead of sterilization, you can go for calcium chloride sterilant. This is an injection for the testicles’ outer layer. Also, it demands ultrasound guidance. And, it is best for dogs that can’t bear anesthesia. This procedure does not involve pain-killing medicines. And, this practice is not quite typical. Keep in mind that after calcium chloride sterilant injection, males can still mate females. However, this will not lead to pregnancy.
Which Animals Can Be Spayed or Neutered?
After learning when to spay a Golden Retriever, see which other animals are acceptable for this practice. It is common in cats and dogs. Even there are perks in spaying your rabbits. As mentioned formerly, this can block unwanted pregnancies. This can eradicate the trouble of finding new homes for your rabbits. The latter can relish minimization of risk of various cancers. An intact female rabbit can experience false pregnancy as well. Hence, it will start producing milk and nest building. It is better to opt for spaying at the right time.
As compared to mammals, reptiles and birds have distinctive reproduction tract anatomy. Therefore, vets do not suggest spaying in such animals. For humans, there is the word called hysterectomies. This includes removal of certain body parts. For instance, there is the cervix and uterus. Also, there is supracervical hysterectomy. It just removes the uterus.
When to spay a Golden Retriever? Well, other than this breed, there are cats. The latter observes similar benefits after this procedure. For instance, there is eradication of unwanted pregnancies. Moreover, you might wonder whether unspaying is an option or not. In fact, it is not. Once removed, you throw the organs. There is no preservation. Hence, it is not possible to put them back.
When to Spay a Golden Retriever: The FAQs:
What age should a female Golden Retriever be spayed?
The 1 to 2 years of age range is perfect for spaying. This can aid in gaining most preventive perks. Besides, some of the potential risks this can save the pet from include joint diseases and cancer. And, this is showcased by scientific study.
Should I spay my Golden Retriever before her first heat?
Yes. This is quite beneficial. Your pet will not contribute to overpopulation. Hence, you can opt for spaying before her first heat. Also, it is very helpful when your female pet remains in contact with males on a frequent basis.
Why wait to spay a Golden Retriever?
Waiting to spay this animal is crucial. Let it sexually develop first. If you opt for it earlier, there are chances of certain risks. For instance, the lifespan can decrease. Besides, there can be an increase in hemangiosarcoma and hypothyroidism.
What age do Golden Retrievers go into heat?
The age range is 6 to 15 months. The occurrence of the first heat cycle is possible during this duration. Commonly, this breed becomes sexually mature between 6 months to 2 years of age.
Do Golden Retrievers gain weight after spaying?
Weight gain is probable after spaying or neutering. And, this is true for even other dogs and cats as well. The reasons are different. One is that there are no more reproductive hormones. This leads to enhanced hunger levels.
Conclusion:
Golden Retriever is one of the beautiful dog breeds. It is Scottish. And, it has golden or cream hues. Also, its size is medium. This breed is a working dog. Many people adore keeping it as a pet. Such animals are gentle and pretty friendly. Moreover, they are reliable and intelligent. Their females and males have varied attributes. Like, females’ height is around 20 to 22 inches. On the other hand, males can have heights of 22 to 24 inches. Also, spaying is for females. Male dogs can be neutered. The prime purpose of this procedure is to make them infertile. About website
When to spay a Golden Retriever? The right time is when the dog is fully sexually mature. Otherwise, many health risks are possible. For instance, the decrease of lifespan. This time is somewhere around 6 to 15 months. The recommended age for spaying is 1 to 2 years. You can spay it before its first heat. Spaying dogs encapsulate many myths too. For example, the expensiveness of this procedure. The perks are a lot more. Hence, you should not value the cost.
One of the benefits is controlling overpopulation. Otherwise, the animals are euthanized. Your pets can also become aggressive, if not spayed or neutered. One of the alternatives is partial spay. This does not remove ovaries, but just the uterus. And, it is also called ovary-sparing spay. For male dogs, there is vasectomy. As per our research, animals other than Golden Retriever are fine to spay too. For instance, there are cats and rabbits. However, vets do not recommend this practice on reptiles and birds.