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About Spaying or Neutering Your Lab
WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR DOG?

By Shannon K. Steffen

Millions of unwanted Labs are killed in animal shelters and pounds every year; not to mention countless others that are disposed of in other less than desirable ways. This realization of this problem may be shocking but the good news is that every Lab lover and owner can make a difference. The cause is spaying or neutering your Lab and the effect is not only helping decrease pet overpopulation but also help increase the health of your pup.

Spaying and Neutering

When a veterinarian removes certain reproductive organs, it is called surgical altering. In a female Lab, this means removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. For a male Lab, altering involved removal of the testicles.

Veterinarians perform a thorough physical examination to ensure that the pup is in good health. Generally, this includes a routine exam and blood workup to confirm that the Lab's body will easily handle anesthesia and recuperation well.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

For a female Lab, benefits of spaying include:

• Elimination of heat cycles (and blood staining in your house)

• Reduces negative behaviors

• Help protect them against serious health problems such as uterine infections, breast cancer and other cancers

For a male Lab, benefits of neutering include:

• Reduces need of breeding

• Induces a calming effect (on most Labs)

• Decreases inclination of roaming

• Reduces risk of prostate disease, testicular cancer and infections

Spaying/Neutering Myth and Facts

Before deciding whether spaying or neutering your Lab is right for your family, become familiar with the myths and facts of Lab spaying and neutering.

MYTH: My Lab is so special that I want another one just like it.
FACT: Although your Lab may be the perfect pet, that doesn't mean that its offspring will be an exact copy of it. What are the chances of a human family having carbon copy children? Not possible.

MYTH: Spaying or neutering is too expensive.
FACT: The cost of altering your Lab depends on the gender, size, and age of the animal. When you take into account the amount that reproductive organ ailments or unwanted litter can cost; the price is relatively cheap. Ask your veterinarian about financial assistance, payment plans, or the name of a reputable organization that may perform the surgery for free. Local humane societies will often have assistance available.

MYTH: It is better to have a litter before altering a Lab.
FACT: Evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat cycle are typically healthier. Removal of the reproductive organs before the first cycle decreases the chances of cancers, urinary tract infections, and other illnesses.

MYTH: My Lab will get fat and lazy.
FACT: It is not the altering that makes a pet fat or lazy. These types of problems occur from lack of exercise and poor diets.

MYTH: My Lab's behavior will change after being altered.
FACT: This is true but positive. Male Labs are known to be less aggressive, less territorial (spraying) and wander less from their owners. Female Labs maintain any nurturing or loving personalities they had before the surgery as well.

MYTH: The Lab is a purebred and shouldn't be altered if it has papers.
FACT: Even if the Lab is a purebred, there are many health reasons to spay or neuter Labs. Decreasing the chances of cancer and other fatal illnesses will keep that purebred around for many years to come.

Choosing to spay or neuter your Lab is a highly personal choice. Every Lab owner must weigh the psychological and health benefits of altering their Lab against their desires to have one or litters of puppies in their own way.

Any health care links and information in this article should NOT replace a veterinarian visit or advice; please take your Lab to a vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior, such as aggression, or any symptoms of illness or injury.