I hope you dont all think I am a terrible dog owner. My other half is off on business again for two months, and I am working full time AND looking after Poppy. She is due to come into heat in a few weeks - and I just felt I couldn't deal with it. Apart from anything else, I have increasing problems with arthritis in my hip (but am getting a new hip this summer!!!) and am finding long walks a problem, and the thought of walking her for an hour at 5:30 before any other dogs are around and then doing a full day's work was just too much... Added to which I am getting a bit handicapped in my movements and don't think I would be up to dodging male dogs! We haven't decided yet on whether ultimately to have Poppy spayed, or whether we might like a litter of puppies in a year or two. So I have decided to have her season suppressed this time, by means of an injection given by the vet. Just interested if anyone else has had an experience with this?
Re: Suppressed season About 14 years ago we minded our (speyed) dog's entire sister for about 6 months when the breeder went overseas and we wanted to use hormone treatment to suppress her season when it arrived. The vet suggested it to us. Unfortunately the breeder was against it (she thought it'd damage her dog's ability to have pups later, which is completely untrue). Anyway, the breeder had us put her in a kennel for the week, which was very bad for this dog as she was a very clingy type and coped badly in the kennel. So, though I've never used the hormone treatment, I think it's a great option and would not think for a second that you are a bad owner for considering it. On the contrary - it's a kind option as it means that Poppy (and you!) can get on with your lives as normal and without restriction.
Re: Suppressed season Thanks for that. I don't like messing with the dog's health - like things to be as natural as possible - but just really felt I couldn't cope well with this on my own.
Re: Suppressed season I don't walk mine when they are in season. They soon learn to switch off, even when they are the only one left at home while I take the others out. We just have games and training at home instead, to keep them ticking over until it's finished. I certainly wouldn't risk mucking about with hormones, just for the sake of 3 weeks of no walks. I've heard of all manner of problems after people have mucked out with their dog's hormones, from aggression issues, to the dog being infertile afterwards.
Re: Suppressed season [quote author=Jules link=topic=1460.msg10085#msg10085 date=1367394602] No Jules, I wouldn't do it for the sake of 3 weeks of no walks, either. The problem is twofold, a) I work full time, and b) my partner is away for two months. I cannot possibly leave Poppy alone at home all day without a couple of good long walks or some form of mental and physical exercise - she would go crazy and destroy the house. Of course, I have friends and neighbours who help me by taking her out when I am at work - but I can't expect them to either be extra vigilant out on walks, or to do training or games with Pops in the house. They are happy to take her with them when they walk their own dog - but I think to expect any more than that would be too much. I am struggling with this, but I think suppressing this one season may be our best bet. :-\ :-\
Re: Suppressed season Maybe you typed inside Jules' quote Perhaps it's best just to talk to your vet about the options,as there are different kinds of drugs that act in different ways, and some may be better than others. As with all drugs or procedures there are some risks (e.g. allergic reaction) that have to be weighed against the benefits. These types of drugs have been on the market for quite a while now so a fair bit should be known about their effectiveness and risks. If you know the names of specific products you can find some information about then on your government veterinary medicines website: http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/ProductInformationDatabase/ If the vet advises that a product has a low health risk and that it is very unlikely to stop Poppy coming into season again at a later time then it does sound like a good option and certainly not irresponsible in any way.
Re: Suppressed season Thanks Rachael, I'll have a good look at that, and am going to make a final decision by this weekend. I'll let you know what I decide to do!
Re: Suppressed season I have often thought how wonderful it would be to take a litter from one of my girls, but I know what's involved. I know the expense, the nights of no sleep, the worry, the constant back and joint pain from bending to clear up puppy poo every few mins, etc, etc, etc, as my sister has the occasional litter, and then common sense kicks in and I take my girl to be spayed. Maybe your circumstances will be different in a couple of years time, I obviously don't know, and you'll be in a situation whereby you can happily have puppies, but I still wouldn't go mucking about with her hormones now. Of all the dogs I've known have their hormones tampered with, at least half have had problems afterwards. Two became aggressive, one so aggressive and unpredictable, it had to be PTS a year later. Hormones are tricky things and although most vets will know about the clinical side effects (I say most, because certainly not ALL do), the majority don't know about the potential behavioural side effects, just as most don't know about the potential behavioural side effects of neutering. How old is your girl and has she had at least 2 seasons? If she has only had the one, then you might be worrying for nothing anyway, as many girls don't come into season 6 monthly...in fact I've not had one yet which has done. Most of mine have gone 7-9 months and one cycled 11 monthly. I don't want to put more worry on you, as I can see you're already stressed about this, but on the other hand I don't want to see you have to live with a problem for the rest of the dog's life, as that could be even more stressful. Is there really no other way for you to handle this if your girl does come into season while your husband is away? Could you perhaps get a dog sitter to pop in to play with your girl for an hour during the daytime, or something like that?
Re: Suppressed season Thank you Jules for your input and thoughts on this. I am still weighing up the pros and cons, and will decide by the weekend. Karen
Re: Suppressed season For what its worth, we manipulate menstrual cycles in women all the time with no effect on fertility on the whole, though the bigger the dose of hormone, the longer it may take for cycles to resume. In human fertility clinics using the combined contraceptive pill for a few months can in fact increase fertility for a short period after ( particularly in PCOS for those in the know). Probably no help. jac
Re: Suppressed season Since several of you have kindly PM'd me to ask how Poppy is and what I decided to do, I thought I'd better let you all know! After careful deliberation and discussion with the vet, I and the other half decided to go ahead and have this season suppressed. Poppy is absolutely fine, and although I didn't feel 100% comfortable with the decision, I have to say the feeling of relief was huge as that particular worry was lifted from my shoulders for the next couple of months, knowing I am not subjecting my dog to the risk of an unwanted pregnancy. My mother's young dog was covered unexpectedly recently (while in kennels!!!! ) and had to have the 'morning after' pill - something I really would want to avoid at all costs. Suppressing a season isn't something I would recommend for everyone or for every time, but I have to say that for us and in our particular situation, it has been the right decision. I'll be sure to let you know if there are any unfortunate side effects, although I don't expect any. Thanks again to everyone for your input and help on this tricky issue! Karen xx
Re: Suppressed season So glad you found a solution you're happy with Hope the next few months fly by wit no problems!
Re: Suppressed season So pleased for you Karen , it must have been a tough call but I truly think that you did the very best thing, for all concerned , glad that Poppy is happy and well x
Re: Suppressed season Glad to hear that you ended up with a solution that you are comfortable with and that the worry of it all is now gone
Re: Suppressed season Karen, glad all has worked out for you and that Poppy is happy too. Not an easy decision for you I'm sure. Helen xx
