Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, It's been while since I posted, but I check into to see what's going on

Firstly, Kuma will turn 2 years old late this coming summer, a very muscled 24 pounds (the older pic attached he's not even in full bloom yet. He really, really is a good dog, he has settled down quite a bit and not quote as destructive on plastics items as he once was (He's been hell on our watering system, many plastic parts, as I can never seem to catch him in the act. Our now ancient Husky spoiled us, he NEVER chewed on things that were not "his". I mean never). Kuma is very loyal, very trainable, very smart, athletic (goes on 3 and 4 mile runs), w/ guard dog qualities. He is a cherished member of the family, and I couldn't be more impressed w/the qualities of the Shiba Inu breed. Kuma's traits seem right out of "central casting" in all what I read about Shibas, prior... which leads to the topic as Kuma is obviously a hit...

...So... my wife and children want a small female now, and they have picked out a beautiful black and tan (dark faced) female who will be ready in 2 weeks. Kuma will be thrilled, but I wonder how his current "girlfriend," Miya,( a very small spayed Shiba, 11 pounds, same age as Kuma -- owned by friends of ours -- in the pics) will take it? So back to life w/busy family and a puppy again...

We are not looking to breed ( though the breeder warned the small female's parents are only 14 pounds each so she will be too small for Kuma and would risk a bad pregnancy, true?) I've heard/read mixed advice about spaying -- some say 4 to 6 months, others drastically warn before the first heat to reduce the chance of breast cancer (geezz oh pete, I know it could happen, but that seems "the sky is falling," sorry) and others saying wait until 2 years, after she has matured before cutting off part of the developmental pipeline. I can't recall the exact benefits that were listed for this, but I must admit, this makes logical sense to me, and at the time I read this, it was a compelling argument? I want to do what's best long term for her.

Thoughts?

T

Boris moving decently for a change, everyday he seems to get slower, and w/out his vet prescribed medicine, he can hardly move. He is 16 + years in age (my vet surgeon buddy is shocked he's still kicking). In his prime, his coat and carriage was something to behold, physically. His coat is the perfect length( just doesn't look the same now), not that "coyote short" I see in so many huskies locally, but yet not too long either. Like I said, in his prime he stopped traffic.

T

Great to see you back! Kuma is a nice looking boy and fun to read that he's a true shiba! LOL!

Now- your question about spaying- right now there's a heck of a lot of research going into this area. Pediatric spays and neuters at ages as early as 6 weeks old can safely be done with todays current anestisia practices in most vetrinary clinics. Granted, most vets feel more comfortable waiting until a pup is 6 months old before altering becasue the risk of spay incontinence is reduced. So altering CAN happen at any point in time you like.

Question: Is Kuma not neutered because he's a show dog? I would consider getting him altered probably the "easiest" method of pregnancy management for you right now.

Now- as to what's the most healthy for a dog for spaying. IF you can not with 100% certainty protect a girl under the age of 2 from becoming pregnant in your current living situation, she should be altered before her first heat cycle. Getting pregnant on the first heat cycle is far more dangerous to a young dog than any effects of spaying. The risks go down from there, but are still present before the age of 2. Dogs under 2 years old really aren't great parents and their bodies and minds are not fully mature yet. Now, with that said, because a dog isn't fully mature before they are around the age of 2, current research is starting to show that spaying and neutering before growth plates are closed tends to have adverse effects on orthapedic growth of a dog. Dogs that are altered earlier don't have the hormones to tell them to stop growing and they tend to go over sized and build less muscle than their unaltered litter mates.

So, the issue of when to spay or neuter isn't clear cut. There are risks no matter what choice you make. I do believe though the risks of an unwanted pregnancy early in a dog's life is very detrimental to the dog's overall health and I do know that even with good intentions, I would not be able to manage 2 unaltered dogs in my household. Minimally one would be required to be altered.
-----
Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas

Thank you, Chelle, VERY informative! --you have clarified a few points that were fuzzily rattling around in my head.

Thank you

T

Hi Tim and welcome back! Nice set of picts and the dogs look great... even Boris at his age. I don't think I can add much to the advice Chelle gave you other than to say each individual vet will have their own protocol for a time to spay. Some will say before the first heat some will say after the first cycle. No matter the time frame for us as pet owners it's always best for the health of our dogs to have them spayed and neutered to ward of any potential health concerns down the road.
-----

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

You got some good advice from Chelle, so I'll just pipe in to say: great pictures!

What great pictures of all of them. You have already gotten some great advice on spaying so I am not going to bore you with more.. LOL
-----
David owned by Kona, Kiko & Kaia

I appreciate all of you guys, this is the de facto place to go for Shiba advice.

Can you all settle the fight over the name of the new puppy?

Can you all settle the fight over the name of the new puppy?

Throw out some names and we'll referee the match! lol
-----

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Yeah, we want to hear the name possibilities!