Benefits of Neutering  - Everything you need to know about neutering your pet. 
 
  9 to 5 Dog - Tips for dog owners who work. 

  Trust - A Deadly Disease  
 

The nine-month old cat was in surgery for a routine spay. The uterus I removed, however, was swollen and severely infected. Without the surgery, the cat would have sickened and died: because she was spayed, she regained her health. 

At the spay/neuter clinic where I practice veterinary medicine, I have seen many animals with disorders that were cured by neutering. While neutering's health benefits aren't ordinarily immediate and dramatic, they tend to be substantial. 

Still, many people fail to have their companion animals neutered. Some fear that the surgery will hurt them. As with all major surgery, neutering involves some risk. Anesthesia, for example, can injure or kill an animal, even a young, healthy one. The overwhelming majority of animals, however, experience no harm. 

Also, some people mistakenly believe that neutering disadvantages a dog or cat in the long-term. Neutering does not rob animals of vigor; it simply frees them of reproduction's hormonal demands. And neutered animals need not become overweight. They do require fewer calories than unneutered animals, but their calorie intake can be reduced accordingly - or their exercise increased. A female dog or cat gains no health advantage from having a litter or heat. To the contrary, spaying before the first heat offers special benefits. 

Early spaying helps protect female dogs against mammary tumors - the tumors from which they most commonly suffer. Dogs spayed before their first heat develop mammary tumors only five percent as often as unspayed animals. Those spayed between their first and second heat have eight percent the mammary tumor rate. In sharp contrast, those spayed after a second heat have as high a chance of developing these tumors as unspayed dogs. About half of all canine mammary tumors are malignant. Neutering before the first heat can significantly prolong a dog's life. 

Similar benefits can be seen in felines. Unspayed cats develop mammary tumors at seven times the rate that spayed cats do. Nearly always, these tumors are malignant. Clearly, spaying is an important preventative measure. 

Because spaying (ovariohysterectomy) removes the ovaries and uterus, it eliminates the possibility of ovarian and uterine disorders, such as infection and cancer. Uterine infection, known as pyometra, occurs in females of all ages but is most common in older animals. This life-threatening disorder requires emergency spaying. Debilitated, the animal now runs a high risk of failing to survive the operation. Animals should be spayed when young and healthy. 

Like females, male dogs and cats benefit from neutering. In dogs, castration substantially reduces the chance of getting infection or cancer of the prostate gland. Without the hormones secreted by the testicles, the prostate becomes inactive and ordinarily shrinks away. Neutering can also cure dogs of prostatic disease, or reduce symptoms such as difficult or painful urination. Plus, castration eliminates the possibility of testicular tumors. This is particularly important in animals with undescended testicles (cryptorchidism). In these males, both testicles are more likely to become tumorous, even if one testicle has descended normally. 

Besides improving health, neutering eliminates behaviors that can be problematic in a human home - and can result in an animal's becoming homeless. In heat, female dogs often become irritable and snappish. Unneutered male dogs frequently assert dominance with aggression, particularly towards other males dogs. Commonly, they urine-mark their territory, even inside the house. Sexual drive may prompt an unneutered male to run away - say, by jumping a fence or racing out the door. He will then be vulnerable to fights, disease, dognappers and cars. 

Unneutered cats also show problematic behavior. Both males and females may spray urine to mark territory or bolt out of the house looking for a mate. Most cats in heat call loudly and incessantly. Some of my clients have been threatened with eviction because of a feline companion's caterwauling. A number of times, clients have phones me and frantically described their cat's writhing and yowling. The cat, they believed, had been poisoned and was dying in agony. She was, instead, in her first heat. 

Occasionally, people asa†[ÿ why veterinarians do not perform vasectomies or tubal ligations. Unlike castration and ovario-hysterectomy, these surgeries (while rendering animals sterile) leave sexual drive intact. Also, vasectomy and tubal ligation fail to eliminate health and behavior problems prevented or cured by neutering. 

Dogs and cats should be neutered. Both the animals who have the surgery and their human keepers benefit. Other animals indirectly benefit as well: When fewer dogs and cats are born, those already living stand a much better chance of finding a good home. 

Dr. Dunayer practices veterinary medicine at People for Animals, a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in  Hillside, New Jersey. 

Reprinted with permission 

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For most of us, it's difficult to do two things at once - pat one's head and rub one's stomach, for example, or stand on one's head and whistle "Dixie". But while, with a little concentration and practice, these tricks can be mastered, no one has yet figured out how to be in two places at one time. In the 1980's, this is what dog owners who work full time would probably like to be able to do more than anything else. As more people work full time, more pet dogs are also becoming nine-to-fivers - dogs that are left  alone from 9:00 (or earlier) in the morning to 5:00 (or later in the evening) every weekday and whose time with their owners is limited to weekday evenings and weekends. Owners who love their dogs and want the best for them find themselves struggling to fit it all in: feeding, grooming, exercising, and just spending time together, strengthening the bonds of companionship that are so rewarding and make owning a dog such a joyous experience. Sometimes it seems as if it would be impossible to do everything recommended by manuals, magazine articles, animal behaviorists, and dog trainers to produce a happy, well-adjusted pet even if one devoted twenty-four hours a day to it.  

Where once a household may have had someone at home all day, now it's likely that the house will be empty, except for the dog, from early morning to evening. Although many dogs, fortunately, can adjust to a life alone during the day, others may be lonely, bored, or frustrated. They may turn, as a result, to destructive or undesirable behavior: digging craters in the garden: barking incessantly; or chewing up the new oriental rug. The dog's behavior , in such cases, creates an unhappy owner who dreads unlocking the door each evening and viewing the latest disaster but who isn't home enough to cope with the problem. Frustrated by an apparently unsolvable dilemma, the owners may decide he cannot keep the dog and give it up to a shelter.  

Aside from problems such as barking, digging and chewing, other problems may arise from the nine-to-five dog. The dog may have housebreaking problems or be so full of energy by the time its owner gets home that it's rambunctious and uncontrollable. It's not surprising that such problems  cause dog/owner relationships to sour. 

Does this mean a person who works full time should not own a dog? Not at all. It is possible to have a mutually satisfying, rewarding relationship with 
a nine-to-five dog. One way is to recognize how the dog is going to behave and then arrange things so that its behavior will not upset you.  

Choosing the right dog can start you off with an important advantage. Since your time with your dog will be limited, don't choose a dog that will force you to spend that time doing things you'd rather not. If you dislike grooming, for example, choose a pet with a short coat that requires a minimum of care. If you dislike vacuuming up after dogs that are heavy shedders, choose a dog that will have minimum shedding. 

Dogs should not be nine-to-five until they are at least six months old. Puppies less that six months of age need to be fed four times a day and have not yet developed the muscle strength for urinary control They should not be left alone for extended periods.  If you are already working full time when you decide to get a dog, take advantage of the opportunity to adopt an older dog from a shelter. 

Some dogs need more exercise that others, so only think about a high-energy breed if you can meet its needs. The point is to choose a dog that has a good chance of fitting in with your life-style from the start. 

Training a nine-to-five dog is a must. Dogs are happier and more relaxed when their behavior is directed rather than left up to them. They can be very anxious if they feel that they must make all the decisions. Training can strengthen the pet/owner bond and help each understand the other better. Basic training can also improve the quality of your time together. You will not be frustrated - and perhaps angered - by your dog running away, not coming when called, or pulling your arm out of its socket when walked on a leash.  

Although your time together may be limited, investing fifteen or twenty minutes, four or five days a week, will help you get the most out of every minute you dog spend together. You may be encouraged to take your dog out for a long, leisurely walk in the out for a long, leisurely walk in the park or a run by the river if you know  it will be a pleasant experience.  
  
One crucial element in a nine-to-five dog/owner relationship is how the dog behaves when it is alone and how the owner reacts to this behavior. "Eighty percent of the people who turn dogs in at shelters are doing it because they didn't think things through  when they got the dog," says Phyllis Wright, HSUS vice president for companion animals. "You cannot expect a dog to be able to do things you cannot do." For example, it's unfair to expect every dog to be able to control its habits of elimination all day. If you have a dog that cannot be confined alone all day, you need to arrange things so that it's OK for the dog to do what is has to do. A dog will have to relieve itself, is going to get on any comfortable furniture it has access to, will chew on tasty textured objects, whether its own chew toy or your shoe. But by simply controlling the dog's environment you can both be happy. 

You can confine a dog with a housebreaking problem to a limited space during the day. Adjustable dog gates, available from kennel supply companies, come in a wide range of sized and can be used to shut off areas where you do not want the dog to go. Use a gate constructed with small plastic stretch squares within a wooden frame, not a "baby gate" style, so your dog cannot get its head stuck between the slats. When your dog is left alone in a gated area, remove its collar. Put down papers for it to use. Smaller dogs may be trained to use a shallow pan or tray lined with newspapers or other absorbent material, such as disposable diapers. "Dogproof" the  space where the dog will live during the day with the aim of preventing undesirable behavior. Shut up the garbage, pick up your clothes and shoes, cover the couch  with sheets, take the expensive carpets out of the room- whatever it takes to ensure that you will not be angry with the dog when you get home.  

This does not mean shutting the dog in a dark, cold basement or garage, however. Light, its bed or other comfortable place to sleep, a window to watch the passing parade, favorite toys, a radio left on, plenty of water, papers or a pan - all are necessary to help the dog cope with your absence for hours every day. 

It's a very unnatural for a dog to be alone. Naturally pack animals, dogs miss company more acutely that do other pets, such as cats. Having a pet that is so focused on you is a big responsibility, for if you are not there when the dog expects you, it will be extremely anxious and upset. Is there anyone else who can stop in during the day? Perhaps a reliable teenager in the neighborhood would visit your dog after school and take it on a walk or play games with it, giving your pet exercise as well as company. Be sure your dog is equipped with a sturdy leather collar and a lead with a strong bolt snap, and that its tags are up-to-date. 

There are other ways to put more human companionship into your dog's life, too. One way is to arrange your situation and schedule so you can be with the dog as much as possible. Another alternative is to put other people into your dog's life, since you can't be there full time. Following are a few suggestions to help you start thinking creatively.  

Tailor where you live and/or work so you can go home on your lunch hour and walk the dog and spend a little time with it. When Carol Grunewald, an editor at the HSUS, moved to Washington DC, fro Connecticut, she purposely sought an apartment within walking distance of HSUS headquarters so she could look in on her dog, Anya, during the day. 

Hire a dog-walking service to walk the dog during the day. Your dog will get some exercise and it will enjoy the company of other dogs if taken out in a group. Pet-sitter services may also tailor a daily visit to meet your dog's needs - exercise, company or practice on its obedience training.  

Get another dog. Two dogs can keep each other company, play together,  and exercise  each other. If you have a secure dog kennel adjacent to the house, consider installing a dog door for your dogs to use at their discretion. Giving your dog a variety of environments and allowing it to choose where it wants to be will go a long way toward alleviating boredom and consequent destruction that might ensue as your dog seeks ways to pass the time.  

Dog-sharing or dog-sitting, is another option to explore. Perhaps someone in your neighborhood, apartment building or condominium who is at home during the day would enjoy having your dog for company,. Guy Hodge, HSUS director of data and information services, leaves his dog, Eiseley, with his neighbor, who also has a dog, every day while he travels into downtown Washington, Dc, to his job a HSUS headquarters. Older people, shut-ins, mothers with young children - many people who are at home during the day might enjoy some canine companionship and protection. You could negotiate a fee for this service or barter other goods or services, such as odd jobs around the house, yard work, trips to the grocery store, house-sitting on vacations, or whatever is mutually agreeable. Post a card or notice describing your offer at the neighborhood grocery store, the community bulletin board or mail boxes, and at your veterinarian's office.  

Dog-sharing can be an ideal solution to a worrisome problem. But there's one catch, your dog has to be a desirable companion, amenable and well-behaved, so that candidates for dog-sharing will want it in their homes. This is one area where obedience training will really pay off for everyone. An uncontrollable  dog that jumps up, barks, and will not obey simply commands is hardly an attractive companion for you or anyone else! A nine-to-five dog, for its own benefit, needs to be schooled in the basics. A well-behaved dog is easily included - and welcomed - in any activities. An undisciplined dog, on the other hand, will often  be left at home, no matter how much its owners love it. Do your dog a favor and teach it how to behave and mind its manners. 

Join - or start - a nine-to-five dog-owners' network through your dog's obedience training class. If you take a weekday evening class, chances are most of the other participants are nine-to-five dog owners, too. You can all benefit by exchanging tips, ideas, solutions and resources. 

Face the fact that you, as well as your dog, may need to be flexible. Many dogs are full of energy in the mornings after sleeping all night, and this vigor needs an outlet. Can you get up a half hour earlier than usual and  go  jogging together or have a play session before you go to work? Then your dog would be better prepared to settle down when you leave the house. 

The nine-to-five dog's role in its family's life has changed dramatically. Instead of sharing its owner's daily routine, a nine-to-five dog is a leisure-time activity - an activity that must be planned. A dog isn't the same as a set of dumbbells. It cannot just be taken down from the shelf for an hour or so for its owner's amusement and then put back until wanted again. It's a living, feeling creature with needs of its own. It needs company, it needs exercise, it needs companionship. It may take a little ingenuity, but these needs can be met.  

Having a nine-to-five dog takes flexibility, adaptability, and above all, creativity. Traditional solutions to a dog-owning problems may not work for the nine-to-five dog, but this doesn't mean they are unsolvable. Approach them from a different angle and see what you can come up with. 

Reprinted from The Humane Society News * Spring 1988 

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There is a deadly disease stalking just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called TRUST. 
   
You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be trusted. The breeder who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head. Puppies steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to house train, and must never be allowed off lead! 
   
When the big day finally arrived, heading the sane advice of the breeder you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand. 
   
At home the house was "puppy-proofed". Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats separated, and a gate placed across the door to the living room to keep at least part of the house puddle free.  All windows and doors had been properly secured and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to "CLOSE THE DOOR!" 
   
Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes .9 of a second after it was opened and that it really latched. "DON'T LET THE DOG OUT" is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is "NO!") You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and a disaster will surely follow. Your friends comment about who you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever. 
   
And so the weeks and months pass, with your puppy becoming more civilized every day and the seeds of trust are planted.  It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it, your gangly, slurpy puppy has turned into an elegant, dignified friend. 
   
Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darned if that cake wasn't still on the counter this morning. And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night? 
   
At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind.  
   
And then one of your friends suggests obedience. You shake you head and remind her that your dog might run away if allowed off lead, but you are reassured when she promises the events are held in a fenced area. And, wonder of wonders, he did not run away, but came every time you called him! 
   
All winter long you go to weekly obedience classes. And, after a time you even let him run loose from the car to the house when you get home. Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And, remember he comes every time he is called. You know he is the exception that proves the rule. (And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the front door to go potty and then right back in.) 
   
At this point the disease has taken hold, waiting only for the right time and place to rear its ugly head. 
   
Years pass - it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much when he was a puppy. He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store.  And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the highway. (He still gets into garbage, but nobody is perfect!) 
   
This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer. 
   
He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever know about not skipping outdoors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running - 
   
Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever - Your heart is as broken as his still beautiful body. 
   
The disease is Trust. The final outcome, hit by a car. 
   
Every morning my dog, Shah, bounced off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car. Please do not risk your friend and your heart. Save the trust for things that do not matter. 

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