When they fall ill, dogs can exhibit a wide range of symptoms. Not all of them mean you are facing an acute emergency. Just like us, a dog may feel off colour for a couple of days and then bounce back. But your dog depends on you to recognise when there is a serious problem and to seek appropriate help. All of the symptoms in this article indicate you should seek immediate veterinary advice or attention…
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Superficial wounds — grazes, shallow cuts etc — can usually be initially treated at home. If you can’t stem the bleeding, can see bone or soft tissue, or suspect a broken bone or internal injuries, you should call the hospital…
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To send us a message, please email: reception@alpinevet.com.au
CALL (03) 5756 2444 FOR ALL EMERGENCY CASES
During our normal business hours we accept all emergency cases at our hospital. Please call ahead to ensure a qualified vet will be available to treat your pet.
We also offer an after-hours service. A vet is on-call nights, weekends and public holidays for emergency treatment. Please note that the on-call vet may sometimes be out attending other emergencies and we cannot absolutely guarantee a vet will always be available. Always call first.
In some circumstances the vet can come to your home to treat an emergency. However, if you can transport your sick or injured pet it is always preferable to treat emergency cases at our hospital, where we have full facilities for major interventions. The on-call vet will advise you if transporting an animal is safe.
While we will never refuse to treat an animal where a clear emergency situation exists, e.g., road accidents, injuries, poisoning, snake bite or other life threatening issues, in certain circumstances it may be impossible for us to provide emergency treatment. In these cases we may have to ask you to contact your usual vet’s emergency service (this does not apply to visitors to the area).
For more information on our emergency services please see our emergency FAQ.
CALL (03) 5756 2444 FOR ALL EMERGENCY CASES
Our veterinary clinic is located at 7047 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah, VIC 3740. Off-street parking is available. The hospital is fully equipped to treat all emergencies including major surgeries and infectious diseases.
Our clinic is open…
A qualified vet is usually on duty during these hours. Wherever possible emergency/urgent cases will be given priority. If this is not possible, for example when Dr. Bek is carrying out surgical procedures which cannot be stopped, we will evaluate your emergency and advise the best way for you to proceed. Always call before coming to the hospital with an injured or critically ill animal.
CALL (03) 5756 2444 FOR ALL EMERGENCY CASES
From our base in Porepunkah Alpine Animal Doctors offers emergency after-hours treatment at your home or farm, where appropriate. Our home callout service is only available for properties in an area bounded by Mudgegonga to the north, Myrtleford and Nug Nug to the west/north west and Harrietville to the south.
Outside of this area we can only treat animals at the hospital. If you are located outside of our home visit area and cannot bring your pet to us please call your nearest emergency vet.
Please be aware that house-calls attract additional fees. Note that the availability of a veterinarian for after hours home visits cannot be 100% guaranteed.
Not every sign of unusual symptoms will require emergency treatment but if you are concerned you can call our hospital emergency number for advice (5756 2444), or your local vet if you live outside our service area.
If you are uncertain what’s wrong we have some articles that offer advice on how to recognise symptoms needing urgent treatment for dogs, for cats and for horses. Any of the specific symptoms detailed in these articles require immediate veterinary attention.
You can also check out the full range of articles related to animal health emergencies, treatment and first aid below.
Breeds predisposed to hypothyroidism include:
Cushing’s disease is a complex disorder involving the relationship between a number of different organs. In a normal, healthy dog the hypothalamus — an organ of the brain — ‘directs’ the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, to produce adrenocorticotrophic hormones (ACTH). This hormone is released into the bloodstream and stimulates the body’s two adrenal glands, which are located near the kidneys, to secrete another hormone — glucocorticoid (cortisone-like or cortisol) — into the bloodstream.
Cortisol is necessary for life and affects a wide range of bodily functions in the dog, including blood sugar levels, fat metabolism, skeletal muscles, kidney function, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and immune response. ACTH/cortisol secretion is increased when an animal becomes stressed, from cold, heat, infection, pain, surgery, trauma etc. If blood cortisol levels rise high enough, the pituitary ceases to secrete ACTH. When blood cortisol levels fall, the pituitary secretes more ACTH. The response of the adrenal glands is to secrete glucocorticoid hormones in response to the pituitary, just as the pituitary responds by secreting ACTH in response to the adrenals. The end result is that, in a healthy dog, a balance is achieved.
In Cushing’s disease something goes wrong with this complex feedback loop. The result is a chronic excess of blood cortisol, caused by either a pituitary tumor or an adrenal tumour. Put simply, too much cortisol is poisoning the dog, who can no longer rely on its own feedback mechanism to regulate blood cortisol levels.
In the most common cause of Cushing’s, pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism, a tiny (usually less than 3mm in diameter), benign pituitary tumour (microadenoma) secretes an oversupply of ACTH, and ignores the response of the adrenals. The dog’s pituitary continues to pump out ACTH, causing the adrenals to keep producing cortisol, but the pituitary gland does not respond to the elevated blood cortisol levels by stopping its release of ACTH. Dogs with pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism are usually found to have two very large adrenal glands, both constantly working to try to keep up production of excess cortisol.
Larger pituitary tumors or macroadenomas (over 1 cm in diameter) are less common but where they do occur they can cause blindness, seizures,or other neurological problems not directly related to hyperadrenocorticism because of the pressure their size places on brain tissue and nerves.
The less frequently diagnosed adrenal-based hyperadrenocorticism is also caused by a tumour, but located in the adrenal gland and responsible for secreting too much cortisol. The same type of faulty feedback mechanism sees the interaction between pituitary and adrenal messages get ‘lost’, and the tumour continues to secrete too much cortisol regardless of what the brain is telling it. About half of all adrenal tumours are benign (adenomas). The rest are malignant adenocarcinomas and can spread to the lungs and liver.
Cushing’s disease is a complex disorder involving the relationship between a number of different organs. In a normal, healthy dog the hypothalamus — an organ of the brain — ‘directs’ the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, to produce adrenocorticotrophic hormones (ACTH). This hormone is released into the bloodstream and stimulates the body’s two adrenal glands, which are located near the kidneys, to secrete another hormone — glucocorticoid (cortisone-like or cortisol) — into the bloodstream.
Cortisol is necessary for life and affects a wide range of bodily functions in the dog, including blood sugar levels, fat metabolism, skeletal muscles, kidney function, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and immune response. ACTH/cortisol secretion is increased when an animal becomes stressed, from cold, heat, infection, pain, surgery, trauma etc. If blood cortisol levels rise high enough, the pituitary ceases to secrete ACTH. When blood cortisol levels fall, the pituitary secretes more ACTH. The response of the adrenal glands is to secrete glucocorticoid hormones in response to the pituitary, just as the pituitary responds by secreting ACTH in response to the adrenals. The end result is that, in a healthy dog, a balance is achieved.
In Cushing’s disease something goes wrong with this complex feedback loop. The result is a chronic excess of blood cortisol, caused by either a pituitary tumor or an adrenal tumour. Put simply, too much cortisol is poisoning the dog, who can no longer rely on its own feedback mechanism to regulate blood cortisol levels.
In the most common cause of Cushing’s, pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism, a tiny (usually less than 3mm in diameter), benign pituitary tumour (microadenoma) secretes an oversupply of ACTH, and ignores the response of the adrenals. The dog’s pituitary continues to pump out ACTH, causing the adrenals to keep producing cortisol, but the pituitary gland does not respond to the elevated blood cortisol levels by stopping its release of ACTH. Dogs with pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism are usually found to have two very large adrenal glands, both constantly working to try to keep up production of excess cortisol.
Larger pituitary tumors or macroadenomas (over 1 cm in diameter) are less common but where they do occur they can cause blindness, seizures,or other neurological problems not directly related to hyperadrenocorticism because of the pressure their size places on brain tissue and nerves.
The less frequently diagnosed adrenal-based hyperadrenocorticism is also caused by a tumour, but located in the adrenal gland and responsible for secreting too much cortisol. The same type of faulty feedback mechanism sees the interaction between pituitary and adrenal messages get ‘lost’, and the tumour continues to secrete too much cortisol regardless of what the brain is telling it. About half of all adrenal tumours are benign (adenomas). The rest are malignant adenocarcinomas and can spread to the lungs and liver.
Come Home Spot is a community initiative by Alpine Animal Doctors that aims to see every pet in the Alpine Shire microchipped so they can be reunited with their family if they get lost.
There are almost six million pet dogs and cats in Australia. Every year thousands go missing. People move and Spot or Kitty decide the new place is not to their liking and set off to head back ‘home.’ They’re frightened by fireworks or thunderstorms and run away, to become lost and confused.
All too often these lost pets never find their families again, ending up at Council Pounds or animal shelters. Some may be rehomed but for many their fate will be euthanasia. The lucky ones — those whose owners had the foresight to have them microchipped — are quickly returned to their families.
Implanting a microchip should be one of the first things you do when you bring a new animal into your home. In fact, it’s a legal requirement in most states. From 1 January 2012 microchipping has been compulsory for all dogs across the whole of Australia, but microchipping legislation generally applies only to dogs and cats, and only to those born after the introduction of the legislation. That still leaves many thousands unprotected.
At Alpine Animal Doctors we have an ongoing program that aims to see every pet in the Shire — from Myrtleford to Mt Beauty — microchipped by 2020. This is not about revenue for our practice. Vets don’t make money from microchips, the low one-off lifetime fee really only covers the costs. It’s about protecting all of those who can’t protect themselves.
Put simply, if every animal owner had their pets chipped, and kept their registry details up to date when they moved house, we might never again see a stray dog or cat have to be put down because we can’t find their owners.
Microchipping is an extremely simple, safe and inexpensive procedure. Just call the hospital and we’ll do the rest.
This page was updated July 2017. The artwork featured is from the Deviantart community and was created by Devianart member Brandimuffin. Copyright is owned by the artist. Please do not download or share it without permission. It is reproduced here under a CC license. You can find the original and other work by Brandimuffin here.
Keep Spot Safe is a community initiative by Alpine Animal Doctors that aims to see every pet in the Alpine Shire microchipped so they can be reunited with their family if they get lost.
There are almost six million pet dogs and cats in Australia. Every year thousands go missing. People move and Spot or Kitty decide the new place is not to their liking and set off to head back ‘home.’ They’re frightened by fireworks or thunderstorms and run away, to become lost and confused.
All too often these lost pets never find their families again, ending up at Council Pounds or animal shelters. Some may be rehomed but for many their fate will be euthanasia. The lucky ones — those whose owners had the foresight to have them microchipped — are quickly returned to their families.
Implanting a microchip should be one of the first things you do when you bring a new animal into your home. In fact, it’s a legal requirement in most states. From 1 January 2012 microchipping has been compulsory for all dogs across the whole of Australia, but microchipping legislation generally applies only to dogs and cats, and only to those born after the introduction of the legislation. That still leaves many thousands unprotected.
At Alpine Animal Doctors we have an ongoing program that aims to see every pet in the Shire — from Myrtleford to Mt Beauty — microchipped by 2018. This is not about revenue for our practice. Vets don’t make money from microchips, the low one-off lifetime fee really only covers the costs. It’s about protecting all of those who can’t protect themselves.
Put simply, if every animal owner had their pets chipped, and kept their registry details up to date when they moved house, we might never again see a stray dog or cat have to be put down because we can’t find their owners.
Microchipping is an extremely simple, safe and inexpensive procedure. Just call the hospital and we’ll do the rest.
This page was updated December 2016. The artwork featured is from the Deviantart community and was created by Devianart member Brandimuffin. Copyright is owned by the artist. Please do not download or share it. It is reproduced here under a CC license. You can find the original and other work by Brandimuffin here.
In keeping with our mission to build a true centre of excellence for the delivery of animal healthcare, we do more than offer innovative and top quality veterinary services to our clients and patients. At the hospital we have our own small research centre, where we undertake projects aimed at advancing veterinary treatments for animals everywhere.
Dr. Bek collaborates with genetic research groups around the world and is credited with the discovery of a previously unknown genetic disease affecting Tenterfield terriers (Congenital Hypothyroidism with Goiter, or CHG). Working with Professor John C. Fyfe, D.V.M., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University over a period of two years she also played a role in the successful development of a buccal swab for DNA testing for carriers of the disease. The majority of breeding stock of Tenterfield Terriers in Australia has now been tested and carriers are being identified, making it possible for CHG to ultimately be eliminated from the breed.
Although this kind of research takes precious time out of an already very busy schedule, at Alpine Animal Doctors we think it’s important that veterinarians make the effort to get involved in the wider advancement of veterinary science, and in continual further education and study to ensure we stay abreast of the latest innovations and developments in veterinary medicine.
By encouraging all of our staff to continually engage in learning and collaboration with others across the world this involvement in research and study ultimately directly benefits our clients and patients.
In male dogs sperm is produced in the testicles and carried, via a tube called the vas deferens, to the outside to fertilise the female. To be effective a neutering procedure must either completely prevent the production of sperm, or stop viable sperm from reaching the female.
Castration stops sperm being produced by the surgical removal of the testicles, through a skin incision either behind or just in front of the scrotum in dogs, or over the scrotum in cats.
Vasectomy is a slightly more complex procedure than castration, requiring a small incision in the scrotum and the removal, cutting or clamping of a portion of the vas deferens, preventing sperm from travelling outside the body. The sperm produced in the testicles is reabsorbed by the body.
Both procedures are quick, safe, entail minimal trauma for the animal and carry very little risk of surgical complications.1 Both render the animal sterile and incapable of reproducing. The main difference is that a vasectomy leaves the testicles intact within the scrotum and still capable of producing testosterone.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both castration and vasectomy, some of which differ depending on the age and breed of your pet. The more important pros and cons are listed below but to make a fully informed decision you should always discuss the options with your veterinarian. Advantages of castration No risk of testicular tumours (testicular cancer is fairly common in older males but malignancy and mortality are very low).</p Reduced risk of prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic cysts and squamous metaplasia of the prostate. Reduced risk of perianal tumor or perineal hernia. May reduce inter-dog aggression related to availability of intact females. NB: Forms of aggression unrelated to sexual behaviour, e.g., aggression caused by fear, timidity or poor socialisation, will not be reduced. Reduced risk of roaming. Reduced incidence of urinary marking. Advantages of vasectomy2 Can be carried out prior to puberty without risk to future growth, particularly in larger breeds. Lower incidence of hemangiosarcoma (cancer usually found in the spleen or heart). Lower incidence of osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Lower risk of transitional cell carcinoma (bladder cancer). Lower risk of prostatic adenocarcinoma (prostate cancer). Lower incidence of obesity in middle age. Lower incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. Reduced incidence of cranial cruciate rupture. Reduced incidence of hip dysplasia. Lower incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines. Decreased incidence of cognitive dysfunction. Disadvantages of castration If carried out too early castration can disrupt normal growth patterns, affecting long term health and longevity in some breeds. Dogs castrated before puberty may have longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrow chests and narrow skulls. This abnormal growth may be avoided if castration is delayed until after growth plates fully close, i.e., when physical maturity is reached. This may mean waiting until your dog is as much as 2 years old, during which time your pet will be fertile. Increased risk of hip dysplasia, ACL rupture and reduced bone density if carried out too early. May contribute to obesity in later life. Increased risk of prostatic adenocarcinoma (prostate cancer) and possibly increased risk of the various cancers listed above in Advantages of vasectomy. Increased risk of developing urethral sphincter incontinence. There is some evidence that castration can increase fearfulness and noise phobias. Disadvantages of vasectomy Increased risk of testicular cancer. (NB: testicular cancer generally occurs in older dogs and can usually be successfully treated by removal of the testes following diagnosis). Increased risk of prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic cysts and squamous metaplasia of the prostate. Increased incidence of perineal and inguinal hernia and perineal adenoma. Possibility of increased inter-dog aggression. Increased risk of roaming. Increased incidence of urinary marking. Retention of testes and the consequent production of sex steroid hormones may lead to ongoing sexual behaviours similar to those of a fully intact male dog.
For additional information, seeOHE or OHS — which is best for my female dog? and At what age should I have my pet desexed?
1Although surgical or anaesthesia complications or adverse outcomes are extremely rare in these operations no surgical procedure carried out under a general anaesthetic is entirely without risk. These will be fully explained to you prior to your pet undergoing surgery.
2The health advantages listed have been observed and reported in both intact male dogs and in animals that have undergone a vasectomy. They are generally thought to be related to the retention of the testes and the continued production of the sex steroid hormones in a naturally regulated way. Not all of these advantages will necessarily manifest themselves in all dogs who undergo vasectomy procedures.
The choice between conventional ovariohysterectomy (OHE) or hysterectomy (ovary-sparing spay or OSS) is not black and white. Both procedures have their advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps one day we’ll have a simple and safe contraceptive pill for pets but, until then, there is unfortunately no single ideal solution. The procedure you choose will usually come down to which offers the best long term health outcomes relative to the specific breed of your dog, and to an individual owner’s preferences in relation to behavioural issues (see below).
The procedures for OHE and OSS are quite similar. In both we will make an incision in the abdomen. This may be longer in an OSS operation, to allow the surgeon to see the whole uterus and gain access to the cervix. Incisions heal side to side not end to end so the longer incision for OSS will not affect your pet’s recovery time.
In the traditional OHE spay procedure the uterine horns, ovaries and the body of the uterus are removed. Because the uterus is no longer being stimulated by the ovaries there is no need to remove the entire uterus and the cervix is often left in.
An ovary-sparing spay differs in two important respects. First, the ovaries are left intact and functional, allowing them to continue to produce and regulate hormones in the same way as an unaltered dog. It is this naturally self-regulating hormone production that is now believed to be responsible for the decreased risk of long term health issues, including obesity, cardiac stress and urinary incontinence in the middle-aged spayed female, as well as greater longevity in females who have undergone OSS rather than OHE.
Secondly, the retention of the ovaries means that, in the OSS procedure, not only must the entire uterus to below the cervix be removed, the cervix must be cut and tied off (ligated) much more precisely than is generally necessary in a traditional spay, where ligation can be made almost anywhere on the uterus.
Precisely cutting and tying off the cervix rather than the uterus eliminates the risk of pyometra — an infection in the uterus that occurs as a result of hormonal changes in the female’s reproductive tract — and also avoids excessive tension on the supporting structures of the ovaries. The extra care required in an OSS adds a little time to the procedure compared with OHE but, for a surgeon familiar with the OSS technique, this time difference is quite minor.
There are some downsides to OSS. The retention of functioning ovaries brings with it a risk of ovarian cancer. However, this form of cancer is rare enough that it seems extreme to remove the ovaries, with all the health issues that may cause, simply to eliminate something that is already low risk.
For most pet owners the biggest negative of OSS will be behavioural issues. Although the female dog is sterile she will continue to show some of the normal sexual behaviours associated with an unaltered female. She will retain her heat cycles and will remain attractive to entire male dogs. In our experience most owners find these manageable. She will have little to no vaginal discharge during heat cycles for example.
The pros and cons of OHE versus OSS are listed below for comparison. Alpine Animal Doctors are always happy to discuss the relative merits of each with you, and recommend the procedure that’s best for you based on your circumstances and the age and breed of your pet.1
Can be carried out early without risk to future growth, particularly in larger breeds. Lower incidence of hemangiosarcoma (cancer usually found in the spleen or heart). Lower incidence of osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Lower risk of transitional cell carcinoma (bladder cancer). Lower incidence of urinary incontinence and urinary tract infection Lower incidence of obesity in middle age. Lower incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. Reduced incidence of cranial cruciate rupture. Reduced incidence of hip dysplasia. Lower incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines. Decreased incidence of cognitive dysfunction. Less aggression towards people and animals. Evidence of increased lifespan in females left intact past puberty. Disadvantages of retaining the ovaries (OHE) Increased risk of mammary (breast) cancer, one of the most common types of cancer in small animals. Mammary neoplasia is malignant less than 50% of the time in dogs, and few dogs die from breast cancer due to low metastatic rates and early detection and treatment. Increased risk of ovarian cancer (the incidence and mortality risk for ovarian cancer are very low). Increased risk of wandering. Ongoing sexual behaviours, including heat cycles.
Advantages of retaining the ovaries (OSS)2
For additional information, see At what age should I have my pet desexed? and Castration or Vasectomy — which one is right for my dog?
1Although surgical or anaesthesia complications or adverse outcomes are extremely rare in these operations no surgical procedure carried out under a general anaesthetic is entirely without risk. These will be fully explained to you prior to your pet undergoing surgery.
2The health advantages listed have been observed and reported in both intact female dogs and in females that have undergone OSS. They are generally thought to be related to the retention of the ovaries and the continued production of the sex steroid hormones in a naturally regulated way. Not all of these advantages will necessarily manifest themselves in all dogs who undergo an ovary-sparing spay procedure.
Traditionally most veterinarians have preferred to desex dogs and cats shortly before they enter puberty, at around six months of age. The thinking has been that six months is not too young, not too old, and an age that pre-dates the advent of sexual maturity, with all of the behavioural issues that can bring. Most vets would still see that as the ideal age, for most pets, and in most circumstances.
The success of public education programmes promoting desexing to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats, and the introduction of State and local laws mandating compulsory desexing for animals sold as pets or adopted from shelters has seen the average age for desexing steadily reduce. In many cases shelters and Humane Societies are now routinely desexing animals before they go to their new homes, sometimes at as young as 8 or 9 weeks.
As far as the spaying or neutering procedures themselves are concerned there is no inherent problem in desexing an animal even at this very young age. Young puppies have very strong recuperative powers and are generally running around or looking for dinner just a few hours after their operation.
However, research in recent years has seen a growing body of evidence that desexing too early can potentially affect the long term health of your pets, in some cases quite severely. Early neutering (males) and spaying (females) has been suggested as one potential causal factor in the areas of orthopaedics, cancers, life expectancy, behaviour and a wide range of other negative health outcomes. The findings of some studies have set alarm bells ringing amongst progressive veterinarians, many of whom are now rethinking the long established ’standard’ protocol of 6 months and fine tuning their desexing age recommendations based on a range of factors, including gender, breed, genetic markers etc.
There are two factors at play here, both linked to desexing. The removal of the gonads (testicles or ovaries) — which occurs when conventional methods of desexing (castration or ovariohysterectomy) are used — and the consequent loss of the hormones produced by these reproductive organs is one. See here for more comprehensive coverage of this. The second is that this loss of steroid hormone production, particularly when conventional desexing is performed prior to full physical maturity, has also been implicated in delayed closure of the growth plates, which can lead to significant changes in physical growth patterns in desexed dogs compared with unaltered dogs.
In a growing dog (or cat) various hormones, including the sex steroid hormones, help control the genetically pre-determined lengths and weights of bones. The closing of the growth plates should occur at full physical maturity, preventing further growth. If closure is delayed by early desexing it can result in alterations to body proportions. Dogs spayed or neutered before puberty can often be taller, have longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrower chests and narrower skulls than intact dogs of the same breed.
These changes in growth patterns can lead to significant orthopaedic health issues. For example, in one study of 203 agility dogs the tibia and radius and ulna were found to be significantly longer than the femur and humerus, respectively, in dogs spayed or neutered prior to 8 months of age when compared to intact dogs. Another study, conducted at the University of California, Davis, examined the medical records of 759 Golden Retrievers treated over a 10-year period and found a greater occurrence of hip dysplasia (1.5x) and cranial cruciate ligament tears in desexed Golden Retrievers compared with their intact counterparts. That research found the health risks were greater for dogs who were desexed when younger than one year old.
Several studies have concluded that neutered and spayed dogs also have a significantly higher prevalence of CCL rupture, and are three times more likely to suffer patella luxation. In recent years there have been some 180 different studies on the health effects of desexing. Most have found some correlation between early desexing and negative health outcomes of various types and degrees of severity.
These negative health issues can affect all breeds but, for the most part, seem to primarily occur in large and giant breeds of dogs, with some breeds far more likely to be affected than others, including Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds and Boxers. Even within those at risk breeds individuals may or may not be affected. Conversely, individual animals within breeds thought to be unaffected by abnormal growth rates, such as toy breeds, may suffer some of the issues that generally affect larger breeds.
As is so often the case with medical research, even after many studies, large and small, there is rarely a definitive black and white answer. However, here at Alpine Animal Doctors we think that, overall, the weight of evidence against early desexing is compelling enough to warrant us taking it into account when making recommendations for desexing.
We have no ‘standard’ recommended protocol on the age at which you should desex your pet. Each patient is evaluated individually and recommendations made only after taking into account a range of factors. We will of course consider the gender of your pet, and any genetic propensity of its breed to suffer higher incidences of those health issues related to desexing. In addition we will also look at your pet’s growth rate at the time of examination (not all dogs grow at equal rates). We may also look at diet and ‘lifestyle’ issues such as exercise levels, both of which play a part in growth rates, before making any recommendation.
In very general terms however we might suggest that toy breeds can be safely desexed at around 7-8 months old. Medium sized dogs may be best allowed to go through puberty and reach physical maturity, at about one year of age. For larger breeds physical maturity may be reached at around 18 months, while giant breeds can still be growing at two years old.
The downside of waiting until physical maturity is reached is that your pet will have entered sexual maturity prior to being neutered or spayed. Most of our clients find this easy to manage for a few months but it may be challenging for some pet parents or some households. If this is the case you may wish to consider vasectomy for male animals or an ovary-sparing spay (OSS) for females.
These alternatives to the conventional castration or ovariohysterectomy (OHE) retain the testicles or ovaries which are responsible for the production of the hormones that are now known to play such a large part in healthy growth. With these intact it is safe to desex at an earlier age while still avoiding the potential long term health issues. You can learn more about the pros and cons of castration here and of ovariohysterectomy versus ovary-sparing spay here.
In all cases, the wishes of our clients are paramount. We understand that sterilising your pet is an important decision and we welcome any questions you may have. If you prefer to desex earlier, using conventional surgical techniques, we will of course respect your wishes.
At Alpine Animal Doctors we have been taking the most current scientific information into account — and offering alternatives to the conventional ‘one size fits all’ approach to desexing — for a couple of years now. Around 50 to 60 per cent of our clients are opting to delay desexing, particularly spaying of females, until their pet is fully grown. We are already seeing some encouraging signs that our re-evaluating of age recommendations looks likely to lead to a healthier life for our patients, with less need for veterinary intervention as they grow older.
For additional information, see OHE or OHS — which is best for my female dog? and Castration or Vasectomy — which one is right for my dog?
The different types/levels of vaccination for dogs and cats are listed below. Beginning with the C3 (for dogs) or F3 (for cats) Core vaccine each vaccination is additive, i.e., a C7 canine vaccine contains the C3 core plus C4 and C5, providing protection for all of the diseases covered by individual vaccines. Your pet will need only one injection regardless of which vaccination level is appropriate.
Vaccines for dogs:
Vaccines for cats:
If you have further questions regarding which vaccination is most appropriate for your pet please call us on 5756 2444.