HELP! sophie pregnant?
- Thread starter mrose_s
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Yes , we who are on a very strict budget understand . That's why I only have one dog . Not that you should give up what you own ....just watch so you aren't put into a case of more costs ..... having a litter . As to the shot ... I have no idea of the cost . It wasn't availavle in my day and I had to pay for an abortion which killed me emotionally . If you have a dog in heat , don't trust sitters !!!
the litter wouldnt be for a while. we'll be alright in a couple of months. its just now.
good news though.
mum is trying to book harry in to have him desexed tomorow. its just distressing watching him.
sophie has only been in heat twice since we got him and the first time he was young so he didn't really get it. now he is barking, distressed, can't focus. we feel bad for him. i'll take your advice and we'll just have to watch his food intake. i'm glad.
good news though.
mum is trying to book harry in to have him desexed tomorow. its just distressing watching him.
sophie has only been in heat twice since we got him and the first time he was young so he didn't really get it. now he is barking, distressed, can't focus. we feel bad for him. i'll take your advice and we'll just have to watch his food intake. i'm glad.
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There must be some miscommunication of information here, because some of this isn't making sense. The "mismate" shot, given to stop a potential pregnancy in dogs, is basically estrogen and it must be given within a short time (72 hours max) for it to be effective. The prices for this - in the U.S. - are roughly $50-75 including an office call cost.
I'm sure that there are other ways to create an abortion/miscarriage later on, but the risks are high that you will hurt the bitch or even cause death. Why in the world would you want to wait? While the mismate shot does carry risk too (including increased likelihood of pyometria in future heat cycles, I believe), it is less risky than letting the puppies develop and then creating an abortive situation.
I'm also not sure on the age of the bitch. Somehow I have the impression that she's nine (I could be wrong on that though .. ). Letting a nine year old bitch have pups is dangerous especially if she isn't used to having pups. Now, there's a possibility she isn't pregnant, of course ... but there's no way of knowing until the pups are developed for enough for ultrasound or palpation. And, of course, checking for pregnancy will require a vet exam and the subsequent cost.
While I acknowledge that the OP says that she has no control over these dogs, she still can take information to her Mom if that's the situation. And the reality is that there are a LOT of reasons not to have these puppies and a LOT of reasons to spay/neuter, and very few good reasons to not neuter and to allow this arthritic bitch to have pups. Not only does neutering often help a dog live a longer, healthier and less stressed life but it prevents this problem of accidental breedings from happening. It takes very organized, very responsible handling to keep dogs from breeding when there's a female in heat. And when you have an older bitch and especially one that already has health problems (such as arthritis) you are resigning her to an uncomfortable and life-threatening time if she becomes pregnant. And with each heat cycle the likelihood (and probability) of pyometria increases. Pyo is VERY nasty and VERY dangerous - one of my chows ended up with pyometria at six years old and was extremely sick. I could have easily lost her. And why was she still intact? Well, I had shown her for awhile and considered breeding her at one point .. and when I decided against breeding her, I just put off having her spayed because she was easy to maintain. I won't do that again. It would have been 100% MY fault if she'd died. And, of course, the pyometria/spay surgery cost 5X what a normal spay would have cost.
Having Harry desexed right now won't change what he's going through at this point. He will still have the hormones that are causing him to be upset and excited - it will take a good month or so for those hormones to diminish enough to notice a difference. He will wake up, smell the bitch, and now be upset and excited AND in physical discomfort from the neutering. You would be far better off spending that money in getting the bitch taken care of so that she doesn't have to go through a possible pregnancy and the risks involved at this point. And then you can neuter the male in a couple of months when you will be "alright" with money.
By the way .. I have had many neutered dogs and I've never found it a problem to keep them in proper weight. All but one of my current girls are spayed and I've had neutered males in the past too. There have been NO problems from neutering any of my animals and a number of advantages (both physical and behavioral). The way I look at it is that when we humans accept the responsibility of taking an animal into our lives, then we are responsible for everything that happens to that animal for the entire life of the dog/cat/etc. And part of that responsibility is understanding and accepting that there are times we should choose to have things done to our animal in order to maintain physical and mental health and that often includes spay or castration. These are not aimed toward maiming or "cutting into" our animals .. they're a means of providing a better life for our pets. And that's a good thing.
Melanie and the gang in Alaska
I'm sure that there are other ways to create an abortion/miscarriage later on, but the risks are high that you will hurt the bitch or even cause death. Why in the world would you want to wait? While the mismate shot does carry risk too (including increased likelihood of pyometria in future heat cycles, I believe), it is less risky than letting the puppies develop and then creating an abortive situation.
I'm also not sure on the age of the bitch. Somehow I have the impression that she's nine (I could be wrong on that though .. ). Letting a nine year old bitch have pups is dangerous especially if she isn't used to having pups. Now, there's a possibility she isn't pregnant, of course ... but there's no way of knowing until the pups are developed for enough for ultrasound or palpation. And, of course, checking for pregnancy will require a vet exam and the subsequent cost.
While I acknowledge that the OP says that she has no control over these dogs, she still can take information to her Mom if that's the situation. And the reality is that there are a LOT of reasons not to have these puppies and a LOT of reasons to spay/neuter, and very few good reasons to not neuter and to allow this arthritic bitch to have pups. Not only does neutering often help a dog live a longer, healthier and less stressed life but it prevents this problem of accidental breedings from happening. It takes very organized, very responsible handling to keep dogs from breeding when there's a female in heat. And when you have an older bitch and especially one that already has health problems (such as arthritis) you are resigning her to an uncomfortable and life-threatening time if she becomes pregnant. And with each heat cycle the likelihood (and probability) of pyometria increases. Pyo is VERY nasty and VERY dangerous - one of my chows ended up with pyometria at six years old and was extremely sick. I could have easily lost her. And why was she still intact? Well, I had shown her for awhile and considered breeding her at one point .. and when I decided against breeding her, I just put off having her spayed because she was easy to maintain. I won't do that again. It would have been 100% MY fault if she'd died. And, of course, the pyometria/spay surgery cost 5X what a normal spay would have cost.
Having Harry desexed right now won't change what he's going through at this point. He will still have the hormones that are causing him to be upset and excited - it will take a good month or so for those hormones to diminish enough to notice a difference. He will wake up, smell the bitch, and now be upset and excited AND in physical discomfort from the neutering. You would be far better off spending that money in getting the bitch taken care of so that she doesn't have to go through a possible pregnancy and the risks involved at this point. And then you can neuter the male in a couple of months when you will be "alright" with money.
By the way .. I have had many neutered dogs and I've never found it a problem to keep them in proper weight. All but one of my current girls are spayed and I've had neutered males in the past too. There have been NO problems from neutering any of my animals and a number of advantages (both physical and behavioral). The way I look at it is that when we humans accept the responsibility of taking an animal into our lives, then we are responsible for everything that happens to that animal for the entire life of the dog/cat/etc. And part of that responsibility is understanding and accepting that there are times we should choose to have things done to our animal in order to maintain physical and mental health and that often includes spay or castration. These are not aimed toward maiming or "cutting into" our animals .. they're a means of providing a better life for our pets. And that's a good thing.
Melanie and the gang in Alaska
To the person who asked about things in Australia, I can answer that (at least from my part of Australia). Here, neutering seems to be pretty much the norm - I am generally surprised when I come across an un-neutered dog or cat. But again, it would depend on where you're from. People from more rural areas tend not to neuter as much, but it's still more usually the norm. In fact, growing up, I never heard of anyone anywhere NOT neutering - it was as routine a part of owning a pet as buying them a bowl to eat from. Still is, in lots of parts. It's really just considered to be the done thing if you have a pet.
Also, in Australia, many councils have rebate programmes for spay and neuter. My two dogs (one bitch, one male) were both neutered for $55 each, as part of our town council's spay and neuter rebate programme. They were booked in at a fantastic vet, it was done at six months, and it cost me $110 for both dogs.
Also, this not only encourages people to have it done, they cannot qualify for the rebate unless their dogs are registered with the council. Two birds with one responsibility stone. It's fantastic. Of course, it's illegal not to register your dogs but lots of people don't do it anyway. So it's a great incentive.
Also, in Australia, many councils have rebate programmes for spay and neuter. My two dogs (one bitch, one male) were both neutered for $55 each, as part of our town council's spay and neuter rebate programme. They were booked in at a fantastic vet, it was done at six months, and it cost me $110 for both dogs.
Also, this not only encourages people to have it done, they cannot qualify for the rebate unless their dogs are registered with the council. Two birds with one responsibility stone. It's fantastic. Of course, it's illegal not to register your dogs but lots of people don't do it anyway. So it's a great incentive.
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I've learned a bit in this thread.
A) People actually get vasectomies for their dogs? I remember one guy calling up and asking about that and the vet laughed in his face. I have never heard of it being done. Seems foolish to me. If you want him still to have balls then buy him some Neuticles.
B) The mismate shot. I never knew that one existed, I'm assuming it's like the morning after pill for humans? Does anyone have any links on this, I'd be interested to read up on it.
And I know these are your mother's dogs, but there are far more benefits to spaying the female as opposed to neutering the male. Healthwise it is far more dangerous to keep a female dog unaltered, especially at her age. I'm glad she decided to alter one, but you may want to talk to her about why altering the female is a better idea since the budget is tight right now. And it sounds like there are programs in Australia where you can get a discounted spay or neuter, so I would take advantage of that.
A) People actually get vasectomies for their dogs? I remember one guy calling up and asking about that and the vet laughed in his face. I have never heard of it being done. Seems foolish to me. If you want him still to have balls then buy him some Neuticles.
B) The mismate shot. I never knew that one existed, I'm assuming it's like the morning after pill for humans? Does anyone have any links on this, I'd be interested to read up on it.
And I know these are your mother's dogs, but there are far more benefits to spaying the female as opposed to neutering the male. Healthwise it is far more dangerous to keep a female dog unaltered, especially at her age. I'm glad she decided to alter one, but you may want to talk to her about why altering the female is a better idea since the budget is tight right now. And it sounds like there are programs in Australia where you can get a discounted spay or neuter, so I would take advantage of that.
i know there was a programme in our last town. maily because there were so many stray dogs. and i mean a lot. about 10-15 in my area and about 4-5 that lived in the middle of town. you got to know which ones were friendly and i actually made friends with a few of the ones a block from my house. they'd see me walking home at night and walk me through the apartment blocks where they lived. but they were all uneautered and a lot of litters popped up around. usually the pups went to other owners in my street. there was parvo around and they usually didn't get their shots so a lot died, got hit by cars or went on to have more litters. just sad.
anyway! we decided after watching harry these last couple of days we can't keep putting him through it. he has just whined and barked non-stop today. he's really distressed and can't eat properly. we're not gonna keep putting him through it.
anyway! we decided after watching harry these last couple of days we can't keep putting him through it. he has just whined and barked non-stop today. he's really distressed and can't eat properly. we're not gonna keep putting him through it.
Well that's fantastic and I'm so pleased that you have made this decision.
You may also want to let your Mum know that if you are concerned about the dog's wellbeing and sense of peace and contentment that a bitch spay is the way to go for your female as well.
Bitches can endure much pain and discomfort associated with their heat cycle, same as women with their periods, and to have that urge and desire every time they go into heat, and to be continually frustrated, probably in pain and definitely in discomfort, to have hormones surging and to be mentally unstable and unhappy is not kind to your female either.
Sure, it might be surgery, but it's still a kinder thing to do, even aside from all the other benefits.
You may also want to let your Mum know that if you are concerned about the dog's wellbeing and sense of peace and contentment that a bitch spay is the way to go for your female as well.
Bitches can endure much pain and discomfort associated with their heat cycle, same as women with their periods, and to have that urge and desire every time they go into heat, and to be continually frustrated, probably in pain and definitely in discomfort, to have hormones surging and to be mentally unstable and unhappy is not kind to your female either.
Sure, it might be surgery, but it's still a kinder thing to do, even aside from all the other benefits.
personally id keep the male intact for now and get the female spayed imediatly (that way if she is pregnant you wont have to worry about the poor girl suffering through labour and birth in her condition)
when you think of the cost of the shot its not much more to just have her spayed instead of the shot. there are ALOT of lowcost spay/neuter clinics in many areas, see if theres one neer you, your vet or local pet/feed supplies might know or a quick search for "low cost spay/neuter" and add your town name or postal code ect.
once shes spayed and happy and recovering your male will relax a little and it gives you a little time to save up some money to get the male neutered.
it would be much safer to spay her and make sure she isnt (and wont) get pregnant and probably cheaper to just do it that way.
im glad youve managed to talk your mum into getting them fixed, itll be MUCH easier on not only you guys but your dogs.
when you think of the cost of the shot its not much more to just have her spayed instead of the shot. there are ALOT of lowcost spay/neuter clinics in many areas, see if theres one neer you, your vet or local pet/feed supplies might know or a quick search for "low cost spay/neuter" and add your town name or postal code ect.
once shes spayed and happy and recovering your male will relax a little and it gives you a little time to save up some money to get the male neutered.
it would be much safer to spay her and make sure she isnt (and wont) get pregnant and probably cheaper to just do it that way.
im glad youve managed to talk your mum into getting them fixed, itll be MUCH easier on not only you guys but your dogs.
then yes definatly get him fixed and get the shot asap for the possibly pregnant female.
id still look into low cost to see if you can get the female (and with some luck your sisters girl too) fixed for a more doable price.
the females realy do go through hell during their heat too, its like us girls...personally im MUCH happier since i was "spayed" (i had a partial hysterectomy and am on the deppo shot) and i can only imagine a dog feeling the exact same way, no more pain or mood swings.
id still look into low cost to see if you can get the female (and with some luck your sisters girl too) fixed for a more doable price.
the females realy do go through hell during their heat too, its like us girls...personally im MUCH happier since i was "spayed" (i had a partial hysterectomy and am on the deppo shot) and i can only imagine a dog feeling the exact same way, no more pain or mood swings.
I just trying to get some info here....So, you have two intact bitches and one intact male?
If it were me, I would put off the neuter and spay both your bitches. IMO.
But I am glad your mom is at least listening about neutering one dog. I'm sorry your dogs are having to go through this.
By the way, all of my dogs and parent's dogs have been neutered with not one being over-weight.
If it were me, I would put off the neuter and spay both your bitches. IMO.
But I am glad your mom is at least listening about neutering one dog. I'm sorry your dogs are having to go through this.
By the way, all of my dogs and parent's dogs have been neutered with not one being over-weight.