The Pill - For Dogs
Discussion
Yes - I know - why not spay ! There are certain risks associated - but even more of an issue is the effect it has on the animal. We have setters and whether you look to spay or neuter it has the same detrimental impact on the quality of animal. Excess weight and loss of coat are the big issues.
We are looking for a new puppy as our 14yo is hitting the home straight. He was neutered as a result of some cancerous cells being found. We also have a 6yo dog who is the strong alpha (after we lost our old collie b
h last year). He is an Irish - the English are usually know for being more placid.
English Setter puppies are like rocking horse ... And each breeder has their own thoughts. Some won't supply a dog - some won't supply a bh - given our existing alpha dog / limited segregation ability (or belief that we might spay in the future). Either direction could give us issues down the line - and we don't want to neuter as we have seen the detrimental impact first hand.
Having swung back and forth on sex we have been told about the ''pill'' for dogs and a chat with the vet this morning seemed to suggest that this was something they had received good results from (but they had some bad feedback about the male pill). The first season must be allowed after which the injections can commence.
Has anyone else done this or heard of experiences from others. It looks like it could be the final deciding factor in us getting a puppy this side of next spring. All the dogs look to be taken and there is one bh available nationally (actually over in NI !).
We are looking for a new puppy as our 14yo is hitting the home straight. He was neutered as a result of some cancerous cells being found. We also have a 6yo dog who is the strong alpha (after we lost our old collie b
h last year). He is an Irish - the English are usually know for being more placid.English Setter puppies are like rocking horse ... And each breeder has their own thoughts. Some won't supply a dog - some won't supply a b
h - given our existing alpha dog / limited segregation ability (or belief that we might spay in the future). Either direction could give us issues down the line - and we don't want to neuter as we have seen the detrimental impact first hand.Having swung back and forth on sex we have been told about the ''pill'' for dogs and a chat with the vet this morning seemed to suggest that this was something they had received good results from (but they had some bad feedback about the male pill). The first season must be allowed after which the injections can commence.
Has anyone else done this or heard of experiences from others. It looks like it could be the final deciding factor in us getting a puppy this side of next spring. All the dogs look to be taken and there is one b
h available nationally (actually over in NI !).We rarely use it My last practice did It hugely increases the risk of a pyometra but this was usually if it was stopped after a dog had been given it for a while.
It's generally seen as a more outdated method due to this risk. If you can guarantee you'll get the injection done on time for the rest of the dogs life it'll be ok I think. What I'm not remembering is if weight gain and coat change will occur anyway due to the suppression of the hormones.
Weight gain is avoidable, coat changes can occur (not always) sometimes foe the better! Urinary incontinence is a factor in deep chested breeds when they are older post spay but not always (reduced if done post 1st season)
It's generally seen as a more outdated method due to this risk. If you can guarantee you'll get the injection done on time for the rest of the dogs life it'll be ok I think. What I'm not remembering is if weight gain and coat change will occur anyway due to the suppression of the hormones.
Weight gain is avoidable, coat changes can occur (not always) sometimes foe the better! Urinary incontinence is a factor in deep chested breeds when they are older post spay but not always (reduced if done post 1st season)
Edited by bexVN on Monday 11th November 18:54
Thanks Bex
I was hoping you would jump in early - and not disappointed.
You have highlighted one of my potential thoughts - the long term usage. Just as you hear of potential risks with prononged female usage. I will see what else I can see on the web now you have pointed me in the right direction.
Like the majority of dog owners - they are so precious to us and we will do anything for them. We don't want to make a wrong decision (not the right words - but later we might have ''what if'' thoughts - we are looking at a choice that will affect the next dozen or so years). There are so few breeders with anything and we have consistently missed out due to small litters - all puppies have gone to others in the show scene and there hasn't been anything left for family pets. Then each breeder has had their preference of what they would have liked us to have - not based on what they might have had but what they think would work with our existing dogs. You get it set right in your own mind and someone else challenges the idea.
I was hoping you would jump in early - and not disappointed.
You have highlighted one of my potential thoughts - the long term usage. Just as you hear of potential risks with prononged female usage. I will see what else I can see on the web now you have pointed me in the right direction.
Like the majority of dog owners - they are so precious to us and we will do anything for them. We don't want to make a wrong decision (not the right words - but later we might have ''what if'' thoughts - we are looking at a choice that will affect the next dozen or so years). There are so few breeders with anything and we have consistently missed out due to small litters - all puppies have gone to others in the show scene and there hasn't been anything left for family pets. Then each breeder has had their preference of what they would have liked us to have - not based on what they might have had but what they think would work with our existing dogs. You get it set right in your own mind and someone else challenges the idea.
I would say it's worth thinking about if you accept that should you decide to stop the injections or timings go out the window you would prob not be left with any choice but to spay and promptly but that could be a few on.
If you ever went down the breeding route it is sometimes used in bhes if they need to surpress a season but it leaves it a guessing game as to when a season will restart and you'd really want to mate at that next season to again avoid a possible pyometra.
You are right, there are hard decisions to consider. A lot of my advice is from a few years ago, I don't think the drug has changed but I couldn't promise it.
The injection I'm referring to is delvosteron.
If you ever went down the breeding route it is sometimes used in b
hes if they need to surpress a season but it leaves it a guessing game as to when a season will restart and you'd really want to mate at that next season to again avoid a possible pyometra.You are right, there are hard decisions to consider. A lot of my advice is from a few years ago, I don't think the drug has changed but I couldn't promise it.
The injection I'm referring to is delvosteron.
Edited by bexVN on Monday 11th November 20:17
Just had a very long chat with the breeder of our existing English. She has had good experience, but has also had a pyometra. We wouldn't ever want to breed - our dogs are just the children we don't have - spoilt pets.
I think the discussion tonight has firmly put us back into the dog route - despite a lack of pups. But we have just found another litter that has just come up. Only two dogs and one is for the breeder - so until I can find out more tomorrow.
The nature of the English are that you can usually throw two or more dogs together very easily. But we have thrown an Irish into the pack to confuse matters. It turns out the latest breeders wife is into the Irish so even if both dogs are spoken for in this litter, we will arrange to go along so they can assess our existing pair and give us their opinion of what will suit the Irish alpha.
I think the discussion tonight has firmly put us back into the dog route - despite a lack of pups. But we have just found another litter that has just come up. Only two dogs and one is for the breeder - so until I can find out more tomorrow.
The nature of the English are that you can usually throw two or more dogs together very easily. But we have thrown an Irish into the pack to confuse matters. It turns out the latest breeders wife is into the Irish so even if both dogs are spoken for in this litter, we will arrange to go along so they can assess our existing pair and give us their opinion of what will suit the Irish alpha.
So - the chance call last night has lead to us finding possibly the only available dog puppy from a highly regarded breeder. 'Winston' will be arriving in four weeks once we have done our preliminary visits etc - but I have already been able to give them the relevant references to confirm our suitability.
that is good news, Fingers crossed it works out and we see pics of Winston soon (great setter name btw)Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff