Spaying or Neutering Your Standard Poodle

There are many advantages of having the operation performed on your Poodle for your dog’s health and happiness.

Let’s start with the health advantages of spaying. Spaying your female Poodle will help your pet to stay healthy. It prevents the occurrence of pyometra (an infection of the uterus); uterine and ovarian cancer and can help prevent breast cancer in your dog. Having it done before your dog experiences her first heat can make the operation much easier for the vet, and for the dog. It makes sure your dog doesn’t go into heat, saving you the mess of cleaning up bloody discharge and the worry of protecting your dog from conceiving a litter with whatever male dog that passes by.

The health advantages of neutering your male Poodle are similar. Testicular cancer will never be an issue after neutering, as the testicles are removed. Neuters can be done early as well, lowering the incidence of prostate troubles. Neutering your dog will prevent him from wandering off in search of a mate as puberty hits and hormones flood his system. Wandering dogs are at risk of being hit by cars, being picked up by Animal Control, or getting injured in fights with other wandering males. A neutered male dog will not misbehave by mounting people or furniture. Aggression problems are usually prevented by neutering as well, especially if neutering is done while the Poodle is young.

It will save you money as well. The cost of the procedure, especially when done on a young animal, is far less than the cost of raising a litter or treating cancers, infections or fight injuries. Your Poodle will statistically live a longer, healthier life when spayed or neutered.

Some owners may think that the procedure will create a weight problem with their dog. In fact, most weight problems with pets are due to lack of exercise and overeating, or eating a food that is too high in energy for their activity level.

Some may think it is healthier for a dog to have a litter before being having the operation, though studies have shown that this is not true. Veterinarians have developed procedures for spaying and neutering puppies safely, not only preventing many future health problems for these pets, but saving the owner quite a bit on the cost of the surgery, since the procedure is usually priced according to the weight of the animal.

If you are thinking of keeping your Poodle intact because he or she is a purebred, take a moment and think this out. Will you be showing your Poodle? Showing in AKC shows requires an intact animal. If you truly won’t be showing your dog, spaying or neutering is a good option to consider. If you bought a Poodle that the breeder considered a ‘pet quality’ animal, you should definitely have the procedure done on your dog, as they are not considered ‘breeding quality’. In fact, many breeders require new owners to spay or neuter a newly purchased pet quality dog.

Having your Poodle spayed or neutered will make them a calmer, more affectionate pet, while leaving their amazing intellect and personality intact.

Once your Poodle undergoes the surgery, your veterinarian will most likely keep them overnight so that his or her recovery can be monitored. Follow any post-operative instructions from your veterinarian to the letter to help your pet recover as quickly and fully as possible. While spays and neuters can be done at any age, young animals heal much more quickly and will have fewer health issues than older animals facing surgery.

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