Importance of Neutoring

Every year millions of dogs are put to death because there are way too many dogs. Puppies are born but there are not enough people to take care of them. They are thus put to death. In order to minimize these deaths, dogs should be spayed or neutered to avoid such unhappy deaths. When we hear the word spaying, we are basically explaining the removal of the uterus and the ovaries in bitches. The world castration refers to removing a male dog's testicles. Neutering is basically a general term that describes both these procedures. Neutering your dog has many benefits. For bitches that are spayed before their first heat cycle at 6-9 months are less likely to develop breast cancer. They also are less likely to develop infections of the uterus which can be severe and cause death. Spayed bitches tend to have less mood swings than bitches who haven't been spayed. Castrated male dogs are less likely to mark their territory by urinating in the house and are less likely to roam around the neighborhood. They are also less likely to develop aggressive behaviour towards other dogs. It is best to castrate your dog during the ages of 9-12 months before he becomes sexually active and develops bad habits. Male dogs are less likely to develop prostate problems or testicular cancer. Having your dog neutered will help your community spend less on controlling unwanted animals. Breeding that is not done by a breeder results in dogs that bite and attack. Unplanned breeding has become a major problem and increases the dog population in shelters. Stray dogs are a nuisance and get into garbage containers and defecate in public areas. Have you dog neutered to avoid unwanted deaths! Avoiding Sickness The last thing you want is your dog to be sick. There are many ways to keep your dog healthy. Having a veterinarian is one of the most important things that a dog owner should have. The veterinarian is your dog's doctor and will know all your dog's problems. It's a good idea to find a veterinarian that you know will take good care of your dog. You and your dog should feel comfortable with the vet. Your dog especially needs to be comfortable when he visits the vet so that he understands that no matter what happens there is nothing to be afraid of. Always choose a vet who will share information with you than one who doesn't. Vaccinations are important for dogs. Missing certain vaccinations may cause you dog to become seriously ill and perhaps even die. There are various times that certain vaccinations must be taken. Some vaccinations are annual and some are every one to three years. The most important vaccines to pay attention to are hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, distemper, bordetella and most importantly, rabies. As puppies, these shots are taken almost every 4-6 weeks and then are moved to become annual vaccinations. Dental hygiene is also important. Dogs are prone to developing the same types of dental diseases such as gingivitis and cavities. You probably enjoy your dog licking you so if you want him to have fresh breath, it is essential you brush his teeth daily and visit the veterinarian for checkups. There are many behavioural changes that you should be aware of with your dog. These changes include depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleepiness, trembling, falling/stumbling. If your dog experiences any of these symptoms, keep a close eye on him and take him to the vet as soon as possible. There are also some external parasites that your dog may get including ticks, fleas and ear mites. It is your responsibility to remove these parasites from your dog. For fleas, there are various shampoos and other items that can be used to remove the fleas. Read the labels carefully as many products may potentially harm your dog. Internal parasites are also a problem with dogs. Worms tend to affect puppies most often but are present in many dogs at various ages. The treatment of these worms is basically through medicine prescribed by your veterinarian. Heartworm checks are recommended on a yearly basis to ensure that your dog's heart does not fail. There are some viral and bacterial infections that your dog may show symptoms of. If treated early, there will be a faster recovery rate for your dog. The symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, discharge from eyes or nose, stiffness or weakness, fever (dog's normal temperature is 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit), vomiting, coughing, blood in the stool and labored breathing. Overall, treat your dog as if it were your child. It needs water, food, shelter and love. It also needs medical attention if it is ill.