A very agitated Bear - and effects of Suprelorin

[Candy]

Our vets have always advised that a bitch should have her first season before she's spayed, otherwise she can be left with an immature vulva which apparently has more folds than a mature one, which leaves her more prone to infection.
The lining of the uterus is at its strongest three months post season, so this is the safest time for spaying. That's what I've always stuck to with my girls.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I think the dates will always stick with me because of how dire the situation was! Never heard of that....will try and read up on it.
We don’t think Lyla (who is now 13.5 months old) has had a season yet. No blood or swelling, she gets walked with male dogs weekly and no interest. She also gets walked in popular dog walking areas, but nothing. Is this abnormal? I thought 1st seasons were usually before they were 12 months old?

Not always Moo was nearly twelve months old at first season and I've known some bitches go without for a longer. If worried you could always speak to the vet.

 

[Candy]

Oh youre' in trouble now'

Yes! That's it! Barred for life from MLF!

 

[Candy]

Not always Moo was nearly twelve months old at first season and I've known some bitches go without for a longer. If worried you could always speak to the vet.

Solstice was nearly twelve months at first season, whereas little Joy was only seven months. I think perhaps this was because she's so much smaller than Sol, so reached what was approaching her full body weight younger. All my girls have been so different and I love them so much for that.

 

[SwampDonkey]

All the daycares near me required Stanley to be neutered from 12 months. Dog walkers were fine.

My dog walker will take uncastrated males but she's experienced and understanding.

 

[Ashley]

I think the dates will always stick with me because of how dire the situation was! Never heard of that....will try and read up on it.
We don’t think Lyla (who is now 13.5 months old) has had a season yet. No blood or swelling, she gets walked with male dogs weekly and no interest. She also gets walked in popular dog walking areas, but nothing. Is this abnormal? I thought 1st seasons were usually before they were 12 months old?

Primrose’s mother was over 16 months before her first season. They told me that it’s very common for girls to have similar timing to their mother for first seasons

 

[Selina27]

@Naya, my daughters little Reeva is only just having her first season at 13 months. I think they are just all different !

 

[Selina27]

I think too that dogs/bitches are different across the board , as are all our different circumstances which can make such a difference to the balance.. we can only arm ourselves with the information to weigh it all up and make our decision.
I consider our vets practice to be excellent, but even so there was a certain amount pressure when it came to spaying Cassie young, I postponed the first appointment as I decided by then that I wanted her to havet 2 seasons. I had quite the talking 2 but stuck to my guns and she was spayed at 22 months.
My massive motivator was wanting to avoid another horrendous and distressing phantom pregnancy she had after the first. Never again do I want to see that.
But then of course knowing her as I do now it just would be like that for her, being as she is a girl of extremes.

We are meant to enjoy our dogs after all, so its a question of managing it all so we can.

(Oh my goodness, no comma)

 

[Selina27]

In fact, our vets are now offering a discount on spaying before 12 months.

 

[Naya]

In fact, our vets are now offering a discount on spaying before 12 months.

That’s mad
Sorry for hijacking your post @Natalie

 

[Natalie]

That’s mad
Sorry for hijacking your post @Natalie

Don't be silly, it's really interesting to hear

I consider our vets practice to be excellent, but even so there was a certain amount pressure when it came to spaying Cassie young

This is part of the issue, when you start to search, visiting reputable sites such as the RSPCA, Dogs' Trust, big vet practices, right across the board they say you can neuter your dog from 6 months and these are the benefits. You have to do a bit of digging to find proper research into it, and even then the studies are often small and focus on particular breeds, or the impact of early neutering.

 

[SteffiS]

This is part of the issue, when you start to search, visiting reputable sites such as the RSPCA, Dogs' Trust, big vet practices, right across the board they say you can neuter your dog from 6 months and these are the benefits. You have to do a bit of digging to find proper research into it, and even then the studies are often small and focus on particular breeds, or the impact of early neutering.

This is the thing, I was advised early neutering of Ripple would help his behaviour problems and so that’s what I did. Further research now indicates that early neutering can 'lock in' behaviours, now I really wish I’d waited and at least had the opportunity to see if Ripple would be different if he’d been allowed to mature a bit more.

 

[SwampDonkey]

With Rory I just thought I'd give it a try and see what happened. He's fine happy and well. I'm doing the same with Iver.

 

[Natalie]

This is the thing, I was advised early neutering of Ripple would help his behaviour problems and so that’s what I did. Further research now indicates that early neutering can 'lock in' behaviours, now I really wish I’d waited and at least had the opportunity to see if Ripple would be different if he’d been allowed to mature a bit more.

When did you have Ripple done?

 

[Loraseal]

@Natalie, first I have been to Dolgellau for a day trip with my M&D when I visited them in Wales a few years ago. You need this well earned break!
Secondly and more importantly I am really feeling your stress in this post and I know how upsetting it is.
There is no right or wrong for Bear but you know your dog and what is best for him.

We have also used the implant for 2 years ,hoping we could "train him" as he might mellow with age and we could stop using Superlorin.
We would leave a gap between the 6 month implants. Hunter was about 14 months with his first implant, we did it to protect his elbows and joints.
After the implant we noticed a huge change in his behaviour. It actually took Hunter 3 weeks of "heightened senses" before it fully worked as they get a surge of testosterone when it is inserted. 10-14 days they told us.......not with my chocco idiot.
With the implant he still sniffed bitches on heat but no humping. He still humped his best mate Max who I think just smells really really good mixed with excitement of playing with his best bud. Max does seem to "attract" lots of dogs.
Hunter's focus was so much better, much easier to train with the whistle and he stopped his pulling for a 30s sniff every 1sec.

After the implant wears off ( 9 months the first time), he gradually becomes a porn star and this meant limping for a few days as it irritated his elbows/joints. In addition much less focus, very easily distracted, constant sniffing and marking and he can scent a bitch 800 m away!

This year (already 3) we really tried 6-8 weeks after the implant to re-train, but it was horrendous and a very frustrated dog, which was breaking my heart.
Lots of sleepless nights/crying/guilt and we decided to have the op.

4 weeks post op and his behaviour is nearly the same with the implant.
What is noticeable is that he is more reactive on the lead with big, male dogs and he is very vocal if I ignore him.
Yesterday he made no attempt to hump Mokka (having her first season) on his walk. He has humped Max (expected) and last week he did fancy a retriever at the beach but we stopped him "pre-mount". No frustration when he meets female dogs and I can relax when we go off lead in the woods.

I have to admit that I did feel bloody awful (lots of tears) after he had his op especially when he had a fight with his nemesis Boa. However his focus is bang on and he is loving the 3week recall challenge. Keeping his mind trained is just as important as physical exercise!

Bit of a waffle, sorry!

 

[SwampDonkey]

How are you all this morning?

 

[Boogie]

Guide Dog males are done between eleven and thirteen months old. They don’t have behaviour or health problems because of it and are monitored life-long for both.

If I had a boy I’d wait to see how being entire affected their behaviour and have them done if they became distressed and stressed. Echo was a confused and frustrated boy once he matured. Castration removed all that. Zaba is entire at eight years old without a moment of frustration or stress.

We can only decide for our own dogs and we all have their best interests first in our minds.

 

[MellowYellow]

I just don't get hanging on to them if you're not going to breed. Not only do they look so ugly but it just causes frustration for some boys. This is exactly why I would never buy a male puppy.

Merlin's balls are beautiful. Like spotted Easter eggs. They are a quintessential part of him, and removing them would feel to me personally like a desecration and taking away an essential element of him.

We can only decide for our own dogs and we all have their best interests first in our minds.

Exactly this. Each dog is different, each situation is different. There is no blanket right or wrong - research is key, and then each person has to decide what is best for their dog and for their personal circumstances.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Merlin's balls are beautiful. Like spotted Easter eggs. They are a quintessential part of him, and removing them would feel to me personally like a desecration and taking away an essential element of him.



Exactly this. Each dog is different, each situation is different. There is no blanket right or wrong - research is key, and then each person has to decide what is best for their dog and for their personal circumstances.

Rorys are beautiful and pink they get pinker in the heat. Young school boys sing songs about them and giggle at them when they walk behind us in the summer. Why would I deprive them and Rory their fun.

 

[snowbunny]

Shadow's balls are also beautiful, and change colour with the season, like one of those T-shirts from the 80s. Men's balls are far less neat (sorry guys!), and I think J might complain if I suggested whipping his off for not meeting a certain aesthetic threshold...

They are beautiful because they are part of him and I love him. All of him.

Exactly this. Each dog is different, each situation is different. There is no blanket right or wrong - research is key, and then each person has to decide what is best for their dog and for their personal circumstances.

100%.