Thursday, July 21, 2011

Vizsla Spay and Neuter Debate Continues

Excerpts from an article by Sunbeam Goldens (website link sunbeamgoldens)

"Many uninformed people and veterinarians would probably tell you that six months of age is the optimum time. But there is absolutely no research to support this.

Your veterinarian probably attended a vet school before this research was available, and they may have attended a school supported by HSUS (Humane Society of the United States).

HSUS* promotes early spay and neuter without regard for the health of the dogs, but even they no longer promote mandatory spay and neuter.

How did we get to this place where it is socially preferable to subject our dogs to invasive surgeries that leave them less healthy than just to be responsible for their behavior?

There are a tremendous number of people who get their dogs from shelters and unlike responsible hobby breeders, the shelters cannot screen who is allowed to take their dogs.

We know that in California 47% of the dogs adopted from shelters end up back in the shelters.

So in that case, it is appropriate to help society, even as it hurts the long-term health of the dogs, by making sure all shelter animals are altered before they are adopted.

In Sweden, spaying and neutering is against the law,
under the animal cruelty ordinances.

It is a very uncommon practice in Western Europe and yet there is no animal overpopulation problem in those countries. The reason is responsibility."



Sophie and Bailey's litter

* HSUS operates no shelters; in fact the HSUS President, Wayne Pacelle has said this about distinct breeds "One generation and out. We have no problem with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding." He has also stated: "I don't have a hands-on fondness for animals…To this day I don't feel bonded to any non-human animal. I like them and I pet them and I'm kind to them, but there's no special bond between me and other animals."


Link to Sunbeams Goldens article

Regarding early male neutering:

"Loss of testosterone as a result of desexing may result in immature development of masculine characteristics and a reduced body musculature:

The testicles are responsible for producing testosterone: the hormone that makes male animals look and act like male animals. It is the testicles that make male animals develop the kinds of masculine, testosterone-dependent body characteristics normally attributed to an entire animal. These include: increased muscle size and development; reduced body fat; mature penis development; mature prepuce development (mature penis sheath development); the ability to extrude the penis from the sheath (prepuce) and the suppression of development of feminine characteristics (mammary gland development, milk production etc.). Desexing, particularly early age desexing, may limit the development of mature masculine features such that they remain immature and juvenile looking and cause the neutered animal to have a reduced muscle mass and strength compared to an entire animal of the same size and breeding."

Bailey during mating dance with Sophie
Rethinking spay and neuter in 2011

1 comment:

Joanna Reichert said...

Excellent point! The laziness of people, and Americans in general, is disgusting and no longer is it a selfish thing, we are spilling out to hurting other people and species. Your dog is beautiful, by the way!