New Solution To Spay & Neuter
By
Laura Turner
Objection to mandatory spaying and neutering or
breeder concerns that pet pups may be bred from can be allayed
by canine tubal ligation or vasectomy.
There has been a ton of controversy surrounding spaying and
neutering. What age is appropriate, along with pros and cons of
early spay and neutering. Worries about puppy developing
properly both emotionally and physically, is a valid concern for
most pet people. For Breeders, the worry is that the pet puppy
won’t be spayed or neutered and will instead be used for
breeding, contract notwithstanding.
As a result most Breeders relied on a non-breeding contract to
protect their pups but most contracts are not legally binding or
enforceable, such as and including clauses of repossessing the
puppy and fines administered for non-compliance. The burden of
proof lies on the breeder, keeping track of puppy buyers is not
always easy, to engage in a legal process would be too expensive
and most likely yield no results and to do so doesn’t diminish
the fact that the damage is already done.
There are many “designer breeds” being marketed now for big
bucks and no registration papers. I met a couple in a pet store
the other day proud of their mix of Maltese x Pug cross as it
would be healthier “because it is not a purebred”. They actually
paid $1500.00 for the privilege of owning a mutt. Such cases
only affirm that Public Education is not the solution to bad
breeding, irresponsible ownership and negated contracts.
Vasectomy and tubal ligation is a safe, sure way for a breeder
to prevent a pet puppy from being bred.
Many people also think that breeding just 1x is really no big
deal and may justify it for a dozen reasons. As reputable
Breeders all know, even “just one litter” can escalate into to
10 new backyard breeders who also are just wishing to have “just
1 litter”. Within just a couple years, well you can do the math
on how this adversely affects the pet population and the ability
to find loving homes for your planned, well bred, healthy pups.
So as Breeders who really care and are worried about our pups
and our future, isn’t there something more that we can do?
Vasectomy Or Tubal Ligation Is A Safe,
Strategic Alternative
The designer breeds originate from purebreds which originated
from a Breeder. The one thing that no one can deny is the ONLY
way to 100% guarantee that a pet puppy will not be used for
breeding purposes, is to have that puppy “sterilized” prior to
it leaving the Breeder’s home. No amount of education or
contract will offer the same solution. If every Breeder
subscribed to the practice of sterilizing all pet pups, the
“designer breeds” and pet overpopulation would drastically
decrease. The demand for well bred, purebreds would of course
eventually increase as a result.
For many Breeders pediatric sterilization is not an option due
to the health problems resulting from the lack of hormone
production caused by hysterectomy or castration. But now
Breeders can have canine vasectomy and tubal ligation done as
early as 6-8 weeks of age; before puppies leave for new homes.
This is the same procedure that humans have chosen for years to
prevent pregnancies. Reproductive organs are left intact, thus
hormone production will still function. The minor inconveniences
are that the dog will still have all the same urges and drives
that intact dogs have and females will still experience their
heat cycles but their health and immune system development will
also be intact. This procedure will certainly appeal to Breeders
for the prevention of unwanted breedings and to insure normal
growth and maturity of their pups. Pups can still be spayed and
neutered when or if the owner may decide to do so.
It is important to note that pups can return home with the
Breeder, the same day. They are up and running around the
whelping box as if nothing happened. Incision and scarring is
VERY minimal. There is no special Post Operative care required.
The puppy is fully recuperated with sutures out in time to go
home to their new families 7 days later. Breeder’s contracts and
guarantees could still reflect the limits of their guarantee but
should the owners decide not to comply with the terms, at least
the Breeder would not have the worry of their pets being bred,
or trying to pursue a puppy person within the legal system for
failure to sterilize the pup.
Is Vasectomy Or Tubal Ligation
Readily Available?
At the time of this article Veterinarians are not routinely
being taught vasectomy and tubal ligation as pediatric
sterilization. However many Veterinarians are choosing to get
hands on training by helping with the shelters, that according
to the
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
have been
doing routine pediatric sterilizations since the 1970’s.
Hopefully as the demand for surgeons skilled in the procedure of
tubal ligation and vasectomy sterilization increases, Veterinary
Colleges will make pediatric sterilization a required component
within their training. Eventually tubal ligation and vasectomy
might be the norm, rather than the exception.
In 2011 pediatric spay or neuters may cost under $100.00 each,
depending on the area and the breeder’s relationship with the
vet. Vasectomy and tubal ligation procedures can cost a bit more
because of the small additional surgical time required. Breeders
can find a Veterinarian experienced in pediatric sterilization
by networking with other breeders or by contacting their local
Veterinary Medical Associations. The
Columbus Dog Connection is a tremendous resource, which also
lists Veterinarians who are performing the procedures.
Veterinarians seeking more information have a plethora of
information through their Professional Associations as well as
instructional videos available such as the one from Human
Alliance. It
is interesting to note that Veterinarians who perform pediatric
surgery insist that it is faster and less stressful to the
animal than surgery at the usual age of 4+ months of age. There
is less body fat to contend with, bleeding is minimal, less
anesthetic is required and the patients are awake within an hour
after surgery and go home shortly after, on the same day,
without any special Post Operative care or equipment such as the
dreaded Elizabethan collars. The one or two external sutures are
easily removed 5-7 days later with minimal scaring.
Owners benefit by not having to deal with any guilt over putting
puppy through such a procedure later in life, nor will they have
to cope with the burden of coming up with funds for a
sterilization procedure
down the road.
By assuming the cost for pediatric tubal ligation or vasectomy
sterilization, Breeders offer a special service to the buyer
instead of a financial and surgical concern which too often, is
put off until too late. The breeder has the peace of mind that
comes from knowing all the pet pups that they have produced are
being enjoyed as intended. I believe the majority of Breeders
would have to agree that Pediatric sterilization by either
Spay/Neuter (reproductive organ removal) or by tubal ligation or
vasectomy (reproductive organs remain in place allowing normal
hormonal production) is well worth the financial investment into
their pup’s welfare, their breed’s future and their kennel’s
future and reputation.
Related Articles:
The Cruelty of Castration, Risk vs. Benefit
Zinc Chemical Neutering, Exclusive interview with maker of
revolutionary Zinc Gluconate chemical neutering agent.
http://www.thedogplace.org/SPAY-NEUTER/vasectomy_Turner.asp
#1106.1112
