Dr. Kwane discusses the importance of having your dog spayed/neutered at an early age – and performs a spay in 5 minutes…almost.
Pet Population Control: Dr. Kwane’s Five Minute Spay (VIDEO)
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Uhm…I think I would like prefer veterinarians to take the time to do it right, rather than focus on speed.
Luisa, I’m afraid you are really missing the point. Failure to spay/neuter our pets is the reason we have this horrific problem of unwanted dogs and cats. It’s not a problem of “managing an intact dog” around the house, it’s a problem of keeping that intact dog from reproducing. Though it’s commendable that you chose to rescue a couple of dogs in the past, you’re obviously not involved directly with rescue on a regular basis. Maybe you should spend some time volunteering at your local city or county shelter.
Vikki: i’m afraid it’s you who are missing the point. you’re doing the same thing as BSL: blaming the dog for the owner’s mismanagement. my dog is intact and, barring healthy complications, shall remain so. he’s energetic and full of vibrant good health but there are ppl in town who think he’s gay because he doesn’t attempt to mount their in-heat females. oh, he rushes over and makes play overtures and is very interested in their nether regions but he does NOT try to mount them. why? simple: he knows i won’t allow it. since i also do not allow him to run at large since we moved to town, i can state categorically that i have no furry grandchildren anywhere.
it’s really that easy.
(and yes, i have been involved in pet rescue – i used to run one when i lived up north)
Luisa: I respect you opinion and the early research suggests there may in fact be a relationship between early neutering and OSA. It’s interesting nonetheless. On retrospective study, however, is not nearly enough evidence to prove this theory. Regardless, during my career as a vet practicing multiple disciplines (private, government, ER) I can tell you the sum total of my experiences unequivocably states that our country as a dog-owning and dog-loving society is much better off when our pets are sterilized. Sure, there are individually exceptions and certainly owners that have intact dogs and “get it” (with respect to training and population control) but the sad reality is most owners do not. Moreover, medically, the scale still tips in favor of altering your pet and having them live longer. PERIOD. With the incidence of ovarian cancer, mammary cancer and pyometra in intact females it’s not even a contest. As for male dogs, I can tell you the number one reason for euthanasia within that category (which numbers in the thousands)…it’s lost, roaming, intact dogs – searching for a female.
(cont’d)…that never get reclaimed by their owner. This isn’t just the case with my shelter, but every agency in the country. So, in summary as a shelter vet that dies a little every time we euthanize, I can tell you neutering would prevent millions of unnecessary deaths.
Doc, as a legit rescue I have to say, I love you and than you for keeping it real!