Tail docking/ear cropping

[OneFineAcre]

Disposing of unwanted litters was very common around here
For no other reason than they just didn't want them
I was more addressing the spay/neuter issue and that years ago most were not
Most people should have their animals spayed or neutered

 

[Bruce]

Yep some breeds would be extinct if not for C sections.

Hey I know, let's breed for really broad shoulders, huge heads and a narrow pelvis!!!

Really stupid.

 

[Southern by choice]

Most people should have their animals spayed or neutered

Why?
I don't ask that snarky or anything combative I am just curious as to why you feel that way.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Why?
I don't ask that snarky or anything combative I am just curious as to why you feel that way.

Unless they plan to breed ( which most people shouldn't )to not have unwanted pups

 

[Southern by choice]

You can have intact dogs and still not have unwanted pups.

I did want to mention I am not a fan of spay/nueter in the way it is done in this country. We de-sex animals here. That is what I am opposed to. Ovary sparing spays eliminate the health issues that desexing brings about and with males basically a "vasectomy" is far better than castration. Hormones are necessary for development and health. De-sexing destroys that. The exception IMO is when desexing is medically necessary.

There are far and few that do these other procedures here in the states although I think people are going to see more vets go in this direction.

I can't say I disagree that most should "alter" their pets.

 

[Baymule]

Now people are so suckered in and buy this line of BS and pay big money for genetic nightmares.

Sadly in the LGD world there are lots of dogs out there that were a result of brother sister litters and people buy these dogs not knowing what they are getting. Some argue that is why one should only but papered registered animals but I have seen that too.

I have no idea of the breeding of my female GP. She supposedly had papers, but I never saw them. The lady that gave her to us did say that she bought Paris from a breeder, where there were lots of GP's, in pens. Sounded like a puppy mill to me. Paris is small for the breed, more than a little wacko and will not be bred.

I had a litter of Australian Shepherds that I docked their tails. The breeder told me how to do it, with blunt scissors. I cut their tails at the tip of the "V" on the underside of their tails. I did it when they were a few days old, there was no blood, no open wound and they healed right up.

 

[NH homesteader]

Southern, are those procedures more expensive or more difficult? Why do vets not do them? I have heard about the spay alternative but haven't looked into it (well I haven't needed to since then)

 

[Bruce]

I have to believe that if they are it is only due to not many vets doing it. Giving a dog a vasectomy can't be any harder than doing it to a human. And tubal ligation on a dog seems like it would be less invasive. Plus since people wouldn't get too concerned about the size of the scar, it should be even easier than on a human.

 

[NH homesteader]

I just read an article by a vet who said they are afraid of being sued because if they don't remove all of the females organs the dog could be at risk of getting cancer and it could be blamed on them years down the road.

 

[lalabugs]

A new shot is available that will make a male dog infertile. No need for neutering anymore. Though the vets in my area do not offer this yet.

http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/new-nonsurgical-neutering-option-makes-sterilization-simple

"Zeuterin is a nonsurgical form of neutering, the only such procedure approved for dogs 3 to 10 months of age by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Neutering by needle works by injecting a solution of zinc gluconate into each testicle, rendering it incapable of producing sperm. The procedure is very close to pain-free (most pets probably feel nothing more than the needle stick) and usually does not require anesthesia. Zinc is a natural spermicide, and the injection allows the product to render the dog infertile. Even as the sperm are dying, the dog’s body is responding by blocking the tubes that carry sperm with scar tissue, while absorbing and metabolizing the solution. The solution will soon be gone, but the effect is permanent."