Is The Risk For Ovarian Cancer Really That High?
If I decide not to get my dog spayed, is the risk of cancer really that high? It just seems pointless to put her through major surgery because she may get cancer in the future. I mean it would be kind of like a woman choosing to get a hysterectomy because she may get cancer in the future. There is a very small chance she would accidentally get pregnant but only because you can never be 100% about anything. As it is, she is always on a leash and we don’t put her in the yard. The only problem I can maybe see is that our two male dogs would fight while she’s in heat, but I doubt that. They’d need raging hormones for that and they just don’t have that anymore.
insaneee said,
November 29, 2009 @ 8:27 am
Well, think about it. She’s got that junk sitting around inside of her and she’s not using it. Seems like a good way for things to go wrong.
You’re mistaken when you say that it’s a major surgery. It’s a very routine surgery and an often inexpensive one.
And, personally, if it were my dog, I’d minimize as much cancer risk as I possibly could.
I sincerely hope that you do get your dog spayed and you don’t risk adding dozens of unwanted puppies to the already tremendous epidemic in the world.
Bozema said,
November 29, 2009 @ 3:12 pm
Ovarian cancer is not the biggest risk. Mastitis (mammary infection) and pyometra (uterine infection) are huge risks. Pyometra affects up to 25% of intact females within their lifetime and it is life threatening and requires an emergency spay and intense antibiotic treatment to save the dog. An uncomplicated spay of a young dog is much easier and since pyometra more often affects older dogs, the risk is higher for them. Also uterine cancer and breast cancer are more common in dogs than ovarian cancer. All are prevented by spaying along with unwanted pregnancy.
♥ Beardies said,
November 29, 2009 @ 8:53 pm
The risk of pyometra is greater. If you aren’t going to breed the dog, it’s best to just spay them. A spayed dog has a 0% chance of developing ovarian cancer, ovarian cysts, or pyometra.
david said,
November 30, 2009 @ 12:05 am
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alex S said,
November 30, 2009 @ 3:38 am
you can visit http://www.cancerssociety.org for detail info….
M said,
November 30, 2009 @ 10:00 am
It is actually not a major surgery, the scar itself is smaller then a paper clip and they heal quickly.
But seriously cancer is not the only thing that can hurt her there’s Pyometra, it is a fast effecting and deadly infection of the uterus. Not to mention all of the other strains of uterine infections all of with are highly dangerous and many fatal.
It also doesn’t matter if you are the most careful owner in the world, there is ALWAYS the possibility of an accidental breeding, it can only take one time. Then you have to deal with all of the expensive vet bills that have to do with prenatal and post whelping not to mention through puppyhood. And there are many more infections and diseases that she and the puppies can contract.
Finally, regardless of having your male dogs neutered, I can tell you from experience that they can and will react to her being in heat. They may even try and mate with her, I know people that it’s happened too. This can also result in fights.
I beg you for an easier life for you and your dog, just get her spayed and never have to worry about any of the stuff above.
I have to ask why this is a problem since you didn’t have conflictions with having your males neutered? It’s no more serious a surgery than that, in fact I think it’s even less because there are less major arteries and vessels to worry about.
Canine Caretaker said,
November 30, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
Spaying to prevent ovarian cancer is usually not recommended as the rate for ovarian and testicular cancers in dogs is incredibly low (1% – 2%), however, for preventing mammary cancer (the most common cancer in female dogs and one of the most common cancers in dogs in general) and pyometra (uterus infection) it is highly effective. Canine hysterectomies can be done (though rare in the United States, finding a vet that does this may be hard to do) can also prevent pyometra and reduce the risk of mammary cancer (though not to the degree that removal of the ovaries and uterus both does). Here is some further information on altering female dogs, with female dogs, it is a very complicated issue and factors such as living situation, breed, and size of the dog should all factor into the decision making process:http://www2.dcn.org/orgs/ddtc/sfiles/Lon…
pupgrann said,
November 30, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
The risk for ovarian cancer is lower than the risks of pregnancy, and uterine infections ( pyometria) and breast cancer. Spaying lowers or eliminates those risks.
It also stops the bloodly, messy, smelly heats, that make intact dogs up to one mile away crazy, and might make them invade your yard/house. It also makes the female have a better personality, less PMS moods.
Don’t be sure your two male dogs won’t fight. Even neutered males sometimes will breed and tie with females, and get into awful fights over one that is in season.
I got myself fully spayed, choosing to remove my ovaries also, because I had fibroids in my uterous, and if I didn’t want more babies, why keep ovaries around that can grow a form of cancer that is as sneeky and symptomless as it is deadly??
So I say, go ahead and spay !! Yay, no more messy periods !!!
Bonzie12 said,
November 30, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
Spaying or neutering your pet eliminates or reduces a wide variety of health problems that can be very difficult and expensive to treat. Females no longer have to go through heat cycles and the health- and behavior-related problems that accompany them. Males are no longer controlled by their hormones, reducing aggressive behavior and the tendency to roam. But most importantly, spaying and neutering eliminates or reduces many types of cancer, tumors and other serious health complications. The simple fact is that altered pets generally live longer, healthier lives.
Spayed females are happier, healthier pets. The more heat cycles an unspayed pet goes through, the more susceptible she is to serious diseases. During an ovariohysterectomy (spaying), the uterus and ovaries are removed, ensuring that the hormones that cause health- and behavior-related problems are no longer produced. At the same time, many cancers, tumors and other medical conditions are reduced or eliminated.
Spaying eliminates the chances of developing:
• Pyometra. Pyometra is a serious and potentially fatal infection of the uterus experienced by many unspayed cats and dogs. If it is left untreated, your pet will most likely die.
• Ovarian cancer, cysts and infections. Ovarian cancer is a common occurrence in unaltered females.
• Uterine cancer and uterine infections. These are common occurrences in unaltered female dogs and cats, especially older pets.
• Acute metritis (infected uterus). This can be potentially fatal if not treated in time.
• Difficult pregnancy and delivery. This is common in older and ill cats.
• Pseudopregnancies. Some females go through a false pregnancy every time they come into heat.
Spaying greatly decreases the chances of developing:
• Breast cancer and tumors. The rate goes down to almost zero if the spay is done before the first heat cycle. Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in dogs, and the third most common cancer in cats. The chances of a female dog reaching 10 years of age without developing this potentially fatal tumor is less than 11% in some breeds with normal hormone production.
• Tumors of the reproductive system.
• Mammary cancer. Mammary cancer is very common in older unspayed females, and is the most common cancer to spread to the lungs.
• Mastitis (infection of the mammary glands). This can be potentially fatal if not treated in time.
• Mammary tumors. Unspayed females have about a 7 times greater chance of getting mammary tumors.
• False pregnancies.
• Certain skin conditions related to hormonal imbalances.
• Hair loss. The hair coat on many dogs suffers because of estrogen surges that occur with heat cycles or whelping. Their coats appear thin and the underlying skin is exposed in many areas. It can take 2 to 4 months for the hair to return to normal.