Getting the Border Terrier may be your dream come true, and rightly so. She is beautiful and has a wholesome personality. She is always faithful and eager to please her human friends. You almost want to spend all the time playing and cuddling with her.
But, much attention must be paid during the first few months of owning a Border Terrier. Visits to the vet, injections and regular health check-ups become the order of the day.
Whether to spay it or not is also a crucial decision that you have to make for your Border Terrier.
When Should I Spay My Border Terrier?
Recommendations differ, but most vets suggest that you should spay your Border Terrier at the age of between four and nine months.
So why such a broad time frame? You may ask. The truth is, for female Border Terriers, there is no set age as to when you should spay them. While some vets suggest that spaying should be carried out before first heat (as early as five months), others argue that that increases the risk of mammary tumors.
It is best to consult your vet to get a personalized answer that takes into account research-based information.
What Happens If I Spay My Border Terrier Too Early?
Spaying too early is a potential disadvantage for your Border Terrier as it increases the time taken for the growth of the bones, resulting in a taller pet. The danger is that that growth may negatively impact how joints align.
Additionally, dogs that are spayed too early can develop health issues later on like torn ligaments, hip dysplasia, and bone cancer because their hormones should be allowed time to work.
What Is the Ideal Way to Spay My Dog?
The most suitable and modern way of spaying your dog is through laparoscopic spaying. This is because it is less invasive than the traditional method of spaying.
The traditional method involves surgery where a long incision is made on the tummy’s midline. Then both ovaries and the uterus are stitched by a thread and removed through this larger incision.
With laparoscopic spaying, your Border Terrier’s ovaries will be removed by a vessel sealing device via a keyhole incision with the help of a camera.
Therefore, your dog will enjoy an almost pain-free procedure that will heal way faster than the traditional spay procedure.
Though it will cost a few more bucks, it is a process undertaken by a highly trained specialist using special equipment that will guarantee your Border Terrier minimum discomfort, less tummy trauma, and a low risk of post-operative problems. That is why most pet owners find it worth the money.
What Are the Benefits of Spaying My Border Terrier?
There are some positive outcomes of having your Border Terrier spayed. One of them is improving the quality of the cute dog’s life. It will make it happier and healthier.
Spaying reduces the risk of uterine infection (called pyometra) and breast cancer, especially if done before the first season. These diseases are often seen in older, unspayed dogs, and the results are mostly fatal.
Spaying your Border Terrier benefits society by eliminating unwanted litters, thereby reducing the public-health issues that come with feral pets. Society further wins as the number of shelters, animal control, and euthanasia programs for unwanted, stray, and neglected pets reduce.
Will My Border Terrier Change After Being Spayed?
Once your dog enters heat, a hormonal fluctuation occurs in her body. This change causes stress and irritability that may result in her acting out.
So with unspayed female dogs, you can expect a display of guarding and aggressive behavior. But when you have her spayed, the hormones never change, making her calm, less dramatic, and more predictable.
Are There Side Effects of Spaying My Dog?
The overall consensus on spaying dogs is that it is good and advisable for all pet owners. However, some studies suggest that spaying increases the likelihood of certain health conditions. Potential effects include:
- Urinary incontinence, which typically affects dogs as they age.
- Reduced metabolism can lead to obesity. You can avoid this condition by regulating your dog’s caloric intake and diet in general and ensuring she exercises daily.
- Spaying too early is associated with certain conditions like noise phobia.
Despite these findings, spaying your dog is necessary if you wish it good health and long life.
Final Thoughts
Your Border Terrier is special, isn’t she? Ensure she lives a long and healthy life by spaying her.
Remember, when to spay Border Terriers varies from dog to dog. With the help of your vet, ensure you do everything possible to get the timing right.
