I have had dogs for years and just went along with the rules and the Vets. When we got our first Black Lab, Marshall the breeder insisted on him being neutered and we did it. I was at the Vet with him and felt his pain and it just seemed wrong. But I just let it happen, because the Vet said that it would prevent any chance of testicular cancer and he would be a happier dog. Didn’t work out that way, and I have since studied the whole issue, and I conclude that Vets are in it for the money or maybe to be fair are educated by dolts.
Anyway our current Black Lab, Mzuri is intact and his behaviour is typical of a young black lab ! Our vet is not happy, but that is her problem.
I think you’ve made this comment a few times (yes you added a qualifier after this one).
Have you seriously ever met a rich Vet? (who wasn’t in effect a business owner)
They get paid a pittance compared to qualification, often going unpaid for work/emergency work done. They also (apparently) have a suicide rate about 4 times the national average. Doesn’t exactly scream a “make bank” profession to me.
Think most of the issue Vets have is they’re coloured by the collective ■■■■ -ton of stupid owners and untrained pets, often with common breeds, that they have to deal with. They’d also get decensitised to animal suffering (one of the main reasons I never wanted to do it).
Final point I’d make is that animal medicine, like human medicine, is done on a population basis. Roughly 30% of entire male dogs contract testicular tumours, while 25% of unspayed females contract breast cancer. Policymakers then write accordingly (Not to even mention the other proven/perceived benefits).
Results can often be ■■■■ at the individual level (for animals and humans), in which case do your own research and act accordingly.
Just like to point out that at this moment in time Jasper is not our dog. We’re fostering him for the RSPCA. It’s their rules and they’re paying for it to be done but they get the money back from either us, if we keep him, or his new owners. All dogs on Facebook from Tasmanian dog homes are advertised as de- sexed and microchipped and cost either 350 or 450$. That’s what the RSPCA will do with Jasper. I reckon it would be the same over there on the big island.
Yep you are correct, my comment on Vets and money was a throw away line and while my Vet and I have a disagreement on neutering , I do love her to death. My Vet owns with a Partner a big practice with three locations and many other Vets. She does ok.
I disagree with some of your stats on testicular cancer, but it depends what studies you read and what is the criteria. In most studies, it is clear that smaller dog breeds seem more susceptible to this complaint and that it is not problem that Labradors suffer widely. Older dogs account for most cases, and some stats show an average age of 10.
Clearly neutering eliminates the threat of testicular cancer, especially for dogs where their balls do not drop. However, neutering before maturity may increase the risk of bone cancer,
cardiac and organ cancer, and prostate cancer. Clearly as many studies show, it also affects Labradors in particular with mast cell cancer.
It is probably best to wait until your dog is an adult before neutering, or not do it all, as we have decided.
I worked for a period as a Scientist at the Veterinary Research Centre in Parkville, and I saw how hard Vets work to understand the clauses of animal diseases and other complaints. My real issue though, as with many GPs in treatment of humans, is that Vets often have fixed views, especially when it comes to neutering dogs, and this influences how Governments legislate. It costs me $60 a year to register our neutered Alaskan Malamute girl (a condition on purchase from breeder), and $490 to register my intact Lab. I pay more because some dog owners are totally irresponsible and Vets in Australia are behind the times.
I reckon there should be a qualification test in order to have children and own any pet.
And on a somewhat lighter note, I was going to post this in the what annoys you thread, but probably more appropriate here.
My black lab got a wash yesterday at our local car/dog wash and today on our walk he found something nice to roll in that a cow had left behind. It was only when I got home that I noticed something wet down one side and a nice mess in his collar. He seemed pretty pleased with himself but at least he smelt nice for one day.
He got cleaned up with the hose but he probably still thought it was worth it.
What smells nice to you could be the opposite for your dog, As soon as I managed to get through washing my dog against its will, it would belt outside to roll in dirt to kill the smell.
Well it was outside the farmer’s property, so they must have been taking it for a leisurely walk along the rail trail. Would need a bit bigger bag than the one I carried though.
I heard that dogs love to watch the show Bluey and the dogs are attracted to the colours and what not. I put it on this afternoon and the dogs were right into it. We should have called Coco Gargoyle the way she is always sitting on top of the couch.
We had a Blue Heeler who loved exploring in the bush, until he stuck his head down a wombat hole. Nasty scratch on the nose made him a bit more cautious
Jazz is a small hound but he still has the rounding up instinct so we are careful when there are kangaroos/wallabies/rabbits/snakes or any wild animal around.
Was deep into the scrub when I met a woman with one beautiful springer spaniel and told me she lost his sister when they both chased kangaroos and the mob turned on them - all over when that happens!
. Such wonderful news. Good on you 