Dogs and preventing bloat...

[taraann81]

we will be waiting the full 2 years, besides the fact they have growth problems when spayed early, they also have a higher incidence of hip dysplasia and osteosarcoma. I am aware spaying before the first heat drastically reduces some reproductive cancers. But osteosarcoma is more of an issue in our breed and studies have shown early spaying to be liked to an increased risk for osteosarcoma.

Addy will be intact until 22-24months of age and I will be having the pexy done, the questions now rests with wether it will be done with her spay, or subject her to a second surgery inorder to have the pexy done sooner..

 

[teach1rusl]

Had my dane preventatively tacked right before Thanksgiving. He did wonderfully with his recovery

I paid $500 for his pexy and neuter. I think the basic pexy was listed at $250...of course that's just the surgery fee itself. Add on the neuter, pain management, laser cuts, etc. I still worry, but not as much. It's not a fixed solution, since he could still bloat, but it would give us time to get him in to a vet. I know that his sire died from bloat/stomach twist, so I was truly concerned; he's very deep chested.
Like you, I worry when the "experts" have such varied opinions about preventing bloat (raised dishes or not? withhold water or not? no romping near mealtimes or not?). I still opt for the raised dishes, add water to his food to cut down on heavy drinking (but I don't withhold water), and don't let him play hard after meals. Because my guy is still growing, he's eating a ton. So I went back to three meals a day so that he wasn't eating so much at once.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Quote:
Alright - I need to see a video of you burping a GSD - Do you put a diaper on your shoulder in case he spits up?

Sorry for the disruption, I find this thread a great source of information
Rarefeathers, sorry about your loss, I remember when you lost him

 

[taraann81]

Here is an interesting article on the risks of early spaying and neutering giant breed dogs.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermH...InDogs.pdf

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Quote:
Early spaying is detrimental to a dogs skeletal and endocrine system. A Toy breed is ok to spay/neuter around a year old, however any dog larger than that should be allowed to mature more than a year before spay or neuter.

There is actually no evidence that I know of to support this. There is definitely evidence to support delaying spaying of giant breed dogs, but studies have shown that they really just need to get past puberty. So whether it is one year or two doesn't seem to matter. Spaying prior to the first heat has been shown to greatly reduce the incidence of mammary tumors and that benefit decreases with each cycle. So right around a year gives them as much benefit with the least risk.

I have seen the effects of early spay and neuter myself, and I have also read about the effects of it. I would rather have a mature animal, mentaly and physicaly before spaying or neutering. Being a trainer I often work with Vets in the greater Seattle area and they have told me to my face about the negative effects of early spay and neuter. Many Vets in my area are so on board with what it does to an animal that they are no longer offering spaying or neuter before 12 months. I would rather wait the full 24 months before getting it done but to me the 12 months is really a step in the right direction.

I guess that I am also coming from a working dog owner and trainers corner on this. For training in a working sport its good to be able to see your dog mature fully and physicaly to ensure the dogs potential. However, even with my toy dogs, I have waited till nearly a year before neutering.

here is an interesting article spelling out the physical effects, both positive and negative of spay and neuter. However, the effects go much beyond just the physical traits of the animal. Behavior is greatly effected too, sometimes its good and sometimes its bad.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html -- another good article, written by a Vet