Make your own Healthy Dog Treats

sweet potatoe dog treats

With the most recent recalls including sweet potato dog treats sold by one of my favorite companies. Ingredients made in China seem to going to the death of us all especially our pets, Please do not feed any food , dog treats that are made or ingredients that come from China

The First Treat recipe is for a icy treat for the summer, Below are numerous Dog Treats Recipes that I am sure your Dog will love!! Best of all we don’t have to worry about contamination.

Frosty Paws Dog Treats Recipe

Homemade Dog Treat Cookies 

* Makes 18 Dog treats Prep time: 10 minutes     Bake time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 1/2 cup pre-cooked chicken livers*
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
•  1 tablespoon margarine, softened
•  1/4 cup cooked carrot, mashed
• Tip: If you don’t have chicken liver, try substituting ground chicken, turkey or beef.

Directions:

•  Preheat oven to 325°F, and spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
• Combine the chicken livers and water in a blender for a few seconds at the highest speed until pureed. Stop periodically and scrape the sides with a spatula to keep the mixture even.
•  In a medium mixing bowl, stir to combine the flour and margarine until coarse and crumbly, then add the liver mixture and mashed carrots.
• Combine well by hand or electric mixer on a medium speed.
• When the mixture forms a dough, transfer to a floured surface, and use your hands to knead and combine the ingredients for several minutes until it is soft and pliable.
• Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to a 1/4”-thick sheet, then using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1” squares or triangles, placing them onto the prepared cookie sheet as you work*.
• Continue with remaining dough, re-rolling any scraps that form, until the dough is gone.
• Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow them to cool. Store in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for one week or freezer for one month.
• Tip: Add charm with cookie cutters! Visit your local baking supply store and purchase a cutter shaped as a dog bone or fish.

 Sweet potato dog treats

These Dog treats are fun to make and Very digestible.

Ingredients:

• 1 Large Sweet Potato, washed & dried
•  Recommended Equipment:      •   Food dehydrator

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 250° F
•   Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
•  Cut off one side of the sweet potato lengthwise, as close to the edge as possible.
•  Cutting the side of the potato first allows you to then turn the potato onto this flat surface that you have just created.
• Having a stable area to rest the potato will make it easier to cut the potato into slices.
•  Don’t discard that first piece, it comes out just as yummy as the rest!
• Cut the rest of the potato into 1/3? slices, no smaller than 1/4?.
•  Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
•  Bake for 3 hours, turning half way through.
•  Cool completely on a wire rack

Apple Cinnamon Drops Dog Treats

•  1 large apple
•  1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup oatmeal
•  1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
•  1/8 cup whole wheat flour

Directions:

•  Preheat oven to 350 ° F (180 ° C).
•  Core, slice and mince the apple (use a food processor if you have one).
•  In a large bowl, combine the minced apple bits, honey, water, cinnamon, and oatmeal.
•   Gradually blend in the wheat flour, adding enough to form a stiff dough.
•  In a small bowl, add 1/8 cup wheat flour.
•   Spoon the dough by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches (5cm) apart. Using the bottom of a glass dipped in the wheat flour (to prevent sticking), flatten each spoonful of dough into a circle. Adjust the size of the drops based on how big a treat you like to feed your dog.
•   Bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and flip each cookie to brown evenly on both sides.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 ° F (180 °C).
• Return to oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Let cool overnight.  **This recipe Makes about 3 dozen crunchy cookies, depending on how big you make them.

Homemade Cookie Cutter Dog Biscuits

•   3/4 cup hot water or meat juices
•    1/3 cup margarine
•     1/2 cup powdered milk
•    1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
•    1 egg, beaten
•     3 cups whole wheat flour

• In large bowl pour hot water over margarine.
• Stir in powdered milk, salt and egg.
• Add flour, 1/3 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Knead 3 to 4 minutes adding more flour if necessary to make a very stiff dough.
• Pat or roll to 1/2 inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters.
• Place on a greased baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes.
• Allow to cool and dry out until hard.
• Makes approximately 1 1/4 pounds. Costs approximately 25 cents a pound to make.

Peanut Butter Dog Treats Pretzels

• 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 cup Peanut Butter
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets.
• In one bowl, combine dry ingredients.  In another bowl, combine milk and peanut butter.  Mix dry ingredients into the wet, making sure to mix completely.
• Shape the treats as you like them. Take a handful, rolled it and twisted it into a pretzel shape.  Press hard when rolling, or the  dough will crumble.
• Leave about  1/2 inch between them.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.   Store in an airtight container.

Healthy Dog Food Click here

Homemade Dog Treats,Dog Treats,healthy Dog Dog treats.

I read this awesome article online regarding Heartworms and ways to protect our pets, Very Informative. It is nice to know that we have alternative choices in the prevention of Heartworms in our dogs. Especially with the recent shut down of the manufacturer’s of Interceptor and Sentinel. Up to this point I only recommended Interceptor, now I have had to find alternative choices, Here is my top choice for Heartworms Preventative

The Secret is to keep Mosquitos away from your dog A good Start is the ShooTag

Another the Lemon Spray

• Cut lemon in quarters
• Boil 2 cups Water
• Double wrap lemon in Cheese wrap
• Drop wrapped lemon in hot water,
• Cover, steep over night
• In morning, squeeze lemon, Strain with cheese cloth in spray bottle and wallla instant flea, tick and mosquito repellent

Enjoy the Heartworms article below>

The Truth About Heartworms

by Jean Hofve, DVM

Keep me healthy

For the past two years, veterinarians and pharmaceutical companies have teamed up in a marketing campaign to frighten pet guardians into giving year-round heartworm preventatives to both dogs and cats. The campaign has really ramped up this year. They say they’re doing this to improve protection for individual pets, but we need to take a closer look to discover the truth.

How do pets get heartworms? Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. Tiny hearworms larvae, called microfilaria, circulate in the blood, and are sucked up by the bug when it feeds on an infected host animal; for heartworms, their natural host is the dog. Once inside the mosquito, the larvae must develop through more stages before they can infect another dog. For that to occur, outside temperatures must remain above 57 degrees F, day and night, for a minimum of 8 days. The warmer the temperature, the faster the larvae will mature. If the temperature drops below that critical level, larval development will stop; but the larvae don’t die—development will re-start at the same point when the weather warms back up. Larvae reach their infective stage in 8 to 30 days (the latter being the entire lifespan of the average mosquito). When an infected mosquito bites a dog or cat, the heartworm microfilaria are deposited on the skin, where they crawl into the bite wound and enter the bloodstream. Inside the body, they get ready to “settle down and raise a family.” In dogs, the heartworm’s natural host, the larvae migrate to the heart and eventually develop into adult worms, reproduce, fill the blood with microfilaria, and pass it on to the next mosquito. The maturation process takes 6-7 months.

What do heartworms do?

Once in the bloodstream, the microfilaria migrate to the right side of the heart and attach there, where they can grow into adulthood. According to the American Heartworm Society, “Clinical signs of heartworm disease may not be recognized in the early stages, as the number of heartworms in an animal tends to accumulate gradually over a period of months and sometimes years and after repeated mosquito bites. Recently infected dogs may exhibit no signs of the disease, while heavily infected dogs may eventually show clinical signs, including a mild, persistent cough, reluctance to move or exercise, fatigue after only moderate exercise, reduced appetite and weight loss.” It takes microfilaria about 6-7 months to mature into adults and start reproducing. Clinical signs are not typically seen before that. Adult worms can live up to 7 years in the dog.

In cats, adult worms can develop, but they cannot reproduce; they take about 9 months to mature, and they tend to live only a year or two. However, adult heartworms are about a foot long, so it only takes 1 or 2 to fill up a cat’s tiny heart and cause serious problems. As it turns out, cats have pretty good defenses of their own. In 80% of cases, the cat’s own immune system kills the larvae and clears the infection. Nevertheless, microfilaria can still cause significant inflammation in the lungs, even in cats who never show any signs of infection. Feline heartworms may be commonly misdiagnosed as asthma or bronchitis, when it is actually Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD). Also, for the 20% of cats who do become persistently infected, severe respiratory and/or cardiac disease can occur. Heartworms have been diagnosed even in cats who spend 100% of their time indoors.

Heartworms Treatment Treatment of a mature heartworms infection can be very dangerous. When the arsenic-based drug is given to an infected dog, the massive die-off of the worms can cause severe inflammation and even respiratory failure. Not all dogs survive treatment. Clearly, prevention is the best option! Alternatively, many veterinarians advocate simply giving the regular heartworm preventative to kill off any microfilaria already present and keep newly deposited larvae from developing, while waiting for the adult worms to die. This may be a more practical alternative for cats, or for dogs that do not have a severe infestation. Except for a the warmest parts of the U.S. (mainly in the southeast), heartworms are a completely seasonal problem. There is no reason to give heartworm medicine to most pets year-round (except to make money for those who make and sell it!).

Seasonal vs. year-round protection In many areas of the country (northern and mountain states, for instance), such warm temperatures simply don’t exist for most of the year, and sustained warm temperatures don’t occur until at least June. In fact, only in Florida and south Texas is year-round heartworm transmission possible.

Within 150 miles of the Gulf Coast, heartworm risk exists 9 months out of the year. In the rest of the country, heartworm transmission is possible between 3 and 7 months out of the year. Hawaii and Alaska have each had a few cases of canine heartworm, but the incidence in those states is very low. It should be obvious that during seasons where there are no mosquitoes, there is no risk of heartworms. Evidently that little fact escaped the attention of the veterinarian who prescribed heartworm protection—in December–for a puppy living high in the Colorado mountains. At that altitude, temperatures are never warm enough for heartworms!

A debate about when to give heartworm preventatives was published in an April 2009 journal article (“Ask the Expert: Year-Round Heartworm Prevention: Two Viewpoints,” by By Dwight Bowman and James Lok, published in NAVC Clinician’s Brief, the official publication of the North American Veterinary Conference, 2009/04/01).

Both authors are university professors in parasitology. The argument presented by Dr. Bowman in favor of year-round heartworm medication focused on just two points: (1) the speculation that “scenarios can arise where transmission may occur in cooler climates in the ‘off season;’ and (2) the completely unrelated issue of prevention of internal parasites by additional drugs added to the heartworm preventative.

Arguing on the other side, Dr. Lok lays out the case for appropriate seasonal control, and concludes, “Besides incurring unnecessary costs for the client, indiscriminate application of broad-spectrum medications can engender further confusion about the primary imperative for these medications—heartworms prevention—and when they are most crucial—during the season of heartworm transmission.”

Of course, if in any given year the weather is unseasonably warm for long enough, exceptions to those recommendations should be made. Having looked at both sides of the issue, I have to agree with those who suggest that giving year-round treatment to animals in states where year-round transmission does not occur is doing an injustice to both the animals being given drugs they don’t need, as well as the pocketbooks of their guardians. This argument is rarely presented since the drug companies have the resources to widely promote their views (and products) to consumers as well as veterinarians.

Heartworm prevention The most common preventative drugs for heartworm are ivermectin (Heargard®), milbemycin (Interceptor®) and selamectin (Revolution®).

While these drugs are generally safe and effective, there are always exceptions. Toxicity associated with ivermectin include depression, ataxia (balance problems or unsteady walk), and blindness, but these are uncommon at the low doses used in heartworm preventatives.

Ivermectin should be used with caution in collies and related breeds such as Old English Sheepdogs and Australian Shepherds, who are more sensitive to the drug’s neurological effects.

Milbemycin, the most common alternative drug for collie breeds, can cause depression/lethargy, vomiting, ataxia, anorexia, diarrhea, convulsions, weakness and hypersalivation.

Selamectin is also used to treat ear mites and some worms; adverse reactions include hair loss at the site of application, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle tremors, anorexia, lethargy, salivation, rapid breathing, and contact allergy.

Another serious and growing problem is resistance of heartworms to these drugs. This means that we are selecting for superworms that will be able to survive and grow even in animals on heartworm preventatives.

As with all cases of resistance, the correct response is to reduce use of the drug and reserve it only for when it is absolutely necessary.

Unfortunately, the veterinary profession and drug industries are continuing to call for all pets to be on medications all year round. This is bad science, and it is bad policy.

Only Natural Pet HW Protect Herbal Formula is a natural product intended for use as a preventative to be used during mosquito season as part of a comprehensive heartworm control program. The formula was designed with two objectives, using herbs that work together to reduce the likelihood of mosquito bites to lower your pet’s risk of becoming infected, and to help eliminate existing larvae-stage parasites in the bloodstream.

This tincture was developed to help prevent heartworm infestation using extracts of herbs well known for their mosquito repelling properties, and others well known for their anti-parasitic properties.

Using an insect repellent like Only Natural Pet Herbal Defense Spray may also help prevent heartworms by keeping mosquitoes away from pets when they are outside.

An herbal approach to heartworm prevention is not like a traditional heartworm pharmaceutical preventative, which chemically kills all heartworm larvae, but it may be an effective and more natural method to prevent heartworm infection.

Consistent dosing is essential for proper protection, along with heartworm testing at least every 6 months.

Heartworm Summary

• 1) The temperature needs to stay above 57 degrees for 8 to 30 days.
• 2) A mosquito has to bite a dog that already has microfilaria in its bloodstream.
• 3) That mosquito has to then bite your dog or cat 8-30 days later.
• 4) You must give the heartworm preventative medication within 6 weeks of mosquito bite to kill microfilaria in the blood and prevent the larvae from growing to adulthood.

Another great source for all natural pet care choices Click here

References: Knight DH, Lok JB. Seasonality of heartworm infections and implications for chemoprophylaxis. Clin Tech Sm An Pract. 1998 May;13(2):77-82. Atkins C. Feline heartworm disease. NAVC Clinician’s Brief. Http://www.cliniciansbrief.com/webrief/25.php. Accessed 5/20/2009.

Heartworms, Natural heartworm options

I hope you have enjoyed this article about Heartworms as much as I did. It is reassuring to know that we do have alternative options for Heartworms Prevention

Well another year has come and gone. I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a Happy and Blessed 2012.

Doodlesville is going strong and I have committed myself to posting more often to this page with Valuable information that you can use to help you save money and your pets health.

If there is certain topics or questions you have please let me know.

Soon I will be a Certified Natural Pet Health Care consultant. I hope the info I provide you will be helpful. Questions email me Doodlesville@gmail.com

Visit our Website for updates on puppies and lots more info,, www.DoodlesvilleVA.com

God bless all  Nancy

Canine Skin Problems

Canine Skin Problems can be a issue with some dogs. I have never had to resort to medicine to cure them. Below is a  Easy Home Remedy For Most Canine Skin Problems.

Cause’s of Canine Skin Problems

Cause’s of Canine Skin problems can be caused by anything from fleas, swimming in dirty ponds, Dry air during the winter months can also be a factor. Food allergies, all of which can cause skin issues. Sometimes yeast is the culprit, caused by many factors. listed below.Once they start Chewing it is hard to get them to stop, it becomes a habit, that is not easily broken. This recipe will help break that cycle.

Canine Skin Problems Help has Arrived

Below has been a tried and true method that i have used for many years,
and in my experience works.

Using home based remedies rather then antibiotics or worse, is always a good choice.
Not only for the monetary value but the results that medicine can have on any living creature.

What to do to Cure Canine Skin Problems

Of course it is very important to keep the skin clean.
Disinfect the area on a regular basis to avoid problems later.
I suggest a medicated shampoo or oatmeal shampoo always works well..

When bathing is not enough

For skin infections, hotspots, cuts and scrapes and any skin irritation that could become a problem later, we do want to cleanse the skin with a gentle solution.
This solution takes care of care of staph infection,, yeast, and most common bacteria, and it is safe for the dog, if they should lick once applied..

It is, povidone-iodine ,it can be purchased from any Pharmacy, and is easily used.

Povidone-Iodine Works Great

To dilute the povidone-iodine until it’s the color of iced-tea.

• Pour a small amount in a bowl or whatever is available, dilute with warm water.
• Soak a clean washcloth in the solution and wipe the infected areas gently to get the solution onto the skin.
• Pat dry, Repeat this process twice a day for a week or more until the problem resolves.

This has prevented any need I have had to give antibiotics and has resolved most any canine skin problems, without having to resort to antibiotics or veterinarian visits.

Canine Skin Problems reposted from Doodlesville.com

Canine Skin Problems

Sable Aussiedoodle Puppies

Well its been awhile,, so sorry for my being so slack in posting of late, I will try to do better, I do have allot of new information i have been working on, so keep a eye out!!

I did want to announce Doodlesville does have some  beautiful Aussiedoodles available ready soon ,, Click here

A variety of colors and True Miniature Aussiedoodles!!

Doodlesville offers a 2yr full guarantee, and a limited lifetime guarantee on all their puppies and 24/7 Lifetime support.

Ear Mites: All Natural Treatment Choices

What are Ear Mites?

Ear Mites

A Common problem is Ear mites.
** What are they? Ear mites are microscopic parasites that live in the ear canals of dogs and cats.

• ** Signs include dark discharge (“coffee ground-like”) within the ear.
• ** Scratching the ears.
• ** Redness or blood within the ear and Head shaking.

Homemade treatments for ear mites that work well.
** Apple Cider Vinegar: How to use Apple Cider vinegar for treating ear mites. This is said to work because of the acidity. Using a small amount of diluted apple cider vinegar as suggested.

1. ** Combine one part vinegar and two parts of water together.
2. ** Soak a cotton ball/paper towel with the mixture gently wipe the inside of the ears, making sure you get the mixture in the ear canal, not to deep, to avoid injury to your pet, massage the solution. Some recipes want you to flush ears with this solution, I prefer to do it this way. If its much better to do a Ear Flush (With the recommended link below) which is located on this page, that I use and recommend. Flush Ears for 3days with Ear cleaner wipe with soaked

** Mineral Oil: You may temporarily combat ear mites by soaking a cotton ball with mineral oil and swabbing the inside of your pet’s ears.

** Almond and Vitamin E Oil: Mix ½ ounce of almond oil and 400 IU of vitamin E to create a home remedy for ear mites. Use a dropper bottle to administer one dropper full of remedy into each ear. (Again I prefer to soak a cotton ball or paper towel to administer)Massage after each ear once applied. Use a paper towel or napkin to clean the outer portion of the ear opening and make sure not to clean too deeply in the ear canal. Apply the solution one time per day for three days. Allow the ears to rest for three days and then repeat the process once more.

** Corn Oil: Using a few drops of corn oil (such as Wesson) makes a decent home remedy for cat ear mites. Although a bit messy. First, massage the oil about the inside of the ear, using a cotton ball to clean the infected region. This treatment is repeated for three days. The oil serves three different purposes, as it soothes skin, smothers the ear mites, and speeds the healing process.

** Yellow Dock Root Extract: A convenient ear mites remedy to make at home may include Yellow Dock root extract, combine nine drops of the extract and diluted with one tablespoon of water. Fill half of a dropper with the mixture and place in the ears. It is important to continue this treatment for many weeks (every other day) because ear mite eggs are rather resistant to home treatments, but once they hatch – a continuous treatment will prevent new hatchlings from reproducing until no more eggs exist.

My Most Favorite Ear Cleaner Ever,  I actually do think that ear mites hate>> www.OxyPets.net (I also use and love the shampoo and the pet gel)’

ear mites, natural ear mite treatments,ear mites in dogs,ear mites in cats

Aussiedoodle Puppies

Aussiedoodle Puppies Pictures & Video

I thought I would share a little glimpse into my world.

I do so Love Aussiedoodles, I decided to keep one for myself, Here is my Aussiedoodle pup Lacey, she is a Mini/Toy size. Her Dad is Dooley her Mommy is Razz 

[Show as slideshow]

Aussiedoodle Puppies

I am constantly amazed at the reports I get back from our clients at how smart Aussiedoodle’s are! They are proving to be exceptional Therapy and Service dogs! The video montage of some Doodlesville Aussiedoodle Puppies.

I hope you enjoy.

Aussiedoodle puppies,Aussiedoodle puppies for sale,aussiedoodle breeder

I get question’s all the time about what to look for in a veterinarian. I had a conversation with one of my vet’s a few  months back and wondered what went on at vet conferences. I was shocked. First, they are normally held at some fancy resort with a lot of prominent speakers discussing vaccine protocols and pet food. Each and every seminar is sponsored by a huge drug, vaccine or food company.

Do you think that the speakers are going to be influenced by the company that is sponsoring them? Do you think for one minute that the veterinarians that are at this seminar are going to hear about the New Vaccine Protocols? What truly goes into the Pet Foods sold in stores or veterinarian hospitals?

Do you think you will hear about all natural remedies? No! Wonder why? Could it be that the big corporations, pet food companies, or drug companies would not make money on these alternative or new found treatments and protocols?

They claim to be unbiased. Is this truly the best way to educate the veterinarians that are in charge of treating your pet? Personally, I think not. I used to be upset at the veterinarians I dealt with who were so stuck in their ways. It was like they lived in a shell. Well to some degree I suppose they do. If they rely only by what is being stated at these conferences, than shame on them.

It’s amazing. I am constantly hearing people saying, “Ok, I will ask my veterinarian”. Now tell me what do you think they are going to say? Some Veterinarians have their own interest at heart. Other’s completely ignore research or new treatments and protocol’s.

What can be done to help? Thankfully, We have the benefit of the internet. We can do our own research. We can learn to ask the right questions. We have common sense. We need to take the time to educate ourselves on what is available, what is now the new protocol, and decide if it makes sense to you. It is up to you to learn as much as you can to protect your family pets, just as you do your children.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! If your vet seems uneasy by you questioning his knowledge then find another veterinarian. It is that simple! Your vet works for you. They are not God. They do not know it all. If they are not willing to learn new things, they certainly do not need to be treating your pet.

Bottom line, the health of your pet. Your pet counts on you to make the best decisions possible. Their Health is in your hands. If it were your child you would be questioning and researching everything the doctor proposed. This should be your concern for your pet as well.

If you are a Veterinarian. If I have touched a nerve, GOOD! Read this article again, and then get to work. Honor your client’s that have trusted in you to give the best advice possible in  order to give their pet a healthy and long life.

Early Spay and Neuter?

Say No to Early Spay and Neuter

I have said for years that early spay and Neuter was a huge concern and very dangerous!! I have always been just totally appalled at some breeders spaying and neutering their young pups some as young as 6-7weeks old.

Below is a wonderful article by Dr Becker with Mercola, Finally a Veterinarian Speaking Out. Its very nice to be validated, since so many Goldendoodle and Labradoodle breeders advocate early spay and neuter, I question their reasoning, and wonder why they have made the decision to spay/neuter . I suspect because some lay person told them that was the best thing to do, when honestly that person had no business to lay the rules down for breeders to begin with. (Not naming any names here, I’m Jest sayin)

Its ashame that some breeders have fallen into this and I Certainly hope that this article will help them rethink their decision to spay and neuter early.  Too many problems are a direct result of Early Spay/Neuter. I personally advocate altering at 6mths old. The Studies below are leaning more towards 1year. They are frowning on spaying as a puppy. Common sense should tell us that!

**************************************************************************

Early Spay and Neuter Concerns

A very legitimate concern, pet overpopulation, has been the primary driving force behind 30 years of national and local spay/neuter campaigns.

When it comes to deciding at what age a companion animal should be sterilized, the standard for most spay/neuter campaigns has been sooner rather than later. This is especially true in the case of adoptable abandoned and rescued pets that wind up in shelters and foster care.

Recently, however, some animal health care experts have begun to question whether Early and Spay Neuter is a good idea for every pet.

Dr. Alice Villalobos, a well-known pioneer in the field of cancer care for companion animals, asks the question:

“But what if large-scale studies found that early neutering jeopardizes the health of our pets?”
“What if we found enough epidemiological evidence that early neutering of pet dogs may open them to orthopedic, behavioral, immunologic and oncologic issues?”

Back in 1977, Dr. Villalobos founded a rescue organization called the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals, which has to date rescued and re-homed nearly 12,000 pets. Her organization was one of thousands that looked at the tragic situation in U.S. shelters and determined early spay/neuter was the best way to lessen the suffering and ultimate euthanasia of so many feral and abandoned animals.

As a veterinary oncologist and founder of the pet hospice program Pawspice, Dr. Villalobos concedes, “It is earth shattering to consider that some of the cancers we have been battling may have been enhanced by early neutering instead of the reverse.”

Sources:

Veterinary Practice News
CanineSports.com

*****************************************************

Dr. Becker’s Comments:
It’s unfortunately true that a growing body of research is pointing to early sterilization as the common denominator for development of several debilitating and life-threatening canine diseases.

On one hand, we certainly want to know what’s causing our precious canine companions to develop disease. On the other hand, it’s troubling to learn a procedure we’ve historically viewed as life-saving and of value to the pet community as a whole, has likely played a role in harming the health of some of the very animals we set out to protect.

The same amount of evidence has not been compiled for early spay/neuter of cats, but it’s not clear how well the subject is being studied for kitties. Funding for research into feline health issues falls well below dollars allocated for their canine counterparts.

Cardiac Tumors

A Veterinary Medical Database search of the years 1982 to 1995 revealed that in dogs with tumors of the heart, the relative risk for spayed females was over four times that of intact females.

For the most common type of cardiac tumor, hemangiosarcoma (HAS), spayed females had a greater than five times risk vs. their intact counterparts. Neutered male dogs had a slightly higher risk than intact males.

The study concluded that, “… neutering appeared to increase the risk of cardiac tumor in both sexes. Intact females were least likely to develop a cardiac tumor, whereas spayed females were most likely to develop a tumor. Twelve breeds had greater than average risk of developing a cardiac tumor, whereas 17 had lower risk.”

Bone Cancer

In a study of Rottweilers published in 2002, it was established the risk for bone sarcoma was significantly influenced by the age at which the dogs were sterilized.

For both male and female Rotties spayed or neutered before one year of age, there was a one in four lifetime risk for bone cancer, and the sterilized animals were significantly more likely to develop the disease than intact dogs of the same breed.

In another study using the Veterinary Medical Database for the period 1980 through 1994, it was concluded the risk for bone cancer in large breed, purebred dogs increased twofold for those dogs that were also sterilized.

Prostate Cancer

It’s commonly believed that neutering a male dog will prevent prostatic carcinoma (PC) – cancer of the prostate gland.

But worthy of note is that according to one study conducted at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University, “…castration at any age showed no sparing effect on the risk of development of PC in the dog.”

This was a small study of just 43 animals, however. And researchers conceded the development of prostate cancer in dogs may not be exclusively related to the hormones produced by the testicles. Preliminary work indicates non-testicular androgens exert a significant influence on the canine prostate.

Abnormal Bone Growth and Development

Studies done in the 1990?s concluded dogs spayed or neutered under one year of age grew significantly taller than non-sterilized dogs or those not spayed/neutered until after puberty. And the earlier the spay/neuter procedure, the taller the dog.

Research published in 2000 in the Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism may explain why dogs sterilized before puberty are inclined to grow abnormally:

At puberty, estrogen promotes skeletal maturation and the gradual, progressive closure of the epiphyseal growth plate, possibly as a consequence of both estrogen-induced vascular and osteoblastic invasion and the termination of chondrogenesis.

In addition, during puberty and into the third decade, estrogen has an anabolic effect on the osteoblast and an apoptotic effect on the osteoclast, increasing bone mineral acquisition in axial and appendicular bone.

It appears the removal of estrogen-producing organs in immature dogs, female and male, can cause growth plates to remain open. These animals continue to grow and wind up with abnormal growth patterns and bone structure. This results in irregular body proportions.

According to Chris Zink, DVM:

“For example, if the femur has achieved its genetically determined normal length at 8 months when a dog gets spayed or neutered, but the tibia, which normally stops growing at 12 to 14 months of age continues to grow, then an abnormal angle may develop at the stifle. In addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the stifle likely becomes heavier (because it is longer), and may cause increased stresses on the cranial cruciate ligament.”

Higher Rate of ACL Ruptures

A study conducted at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center on canine anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries concluded that spayed and neutered dogs had a significantly higher incidence of ACL rupture than their intact counterparts. And while large breed dogs had more ACL injuries, sterilized dogs of all breeds and sizes had increased rupture rates.

Hip Dysplasia

In a retrospective cohort study conducted at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, results showed that both male and female dogs sterilized at an early age were more prone to hip dysplasia.

Other Early-Age Spay and Neuter Health Concerns

Early gonad removal is commonly associated with urinary incontinence in female dogs and has been linked to increased incidence of urethral sphincter incontinence in males.
Spayed and neutered Golden Retrievers are more likely to develop hypothyroidism.

A cohort study of shelter dogs conducted by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University concluded that infectious diseases were more common in dogs that were sterilized at less than 24 weeks of age.

The AKC’s Canine Health Foundation issued a report pointing to a higher incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines in sterilized dogs.

Among the reports and studies pointing to health concerns associated with early spaying and neutering, you can also find mention of increased incidence of behavioral problems including:

Noise phobias
Fearful behavior
Aggression
Undesirable sexual behaviors
Risks versus Benefits of Early Sterilization

Every important decision in life comes with risks as well as benefits.

As responsible animal guardians, I believe we owe it to our pets to make the best health choices we can for them.

As responsible members of society, we owe it to our communities to proactively protect our intact pets from unplanned breeding at all costs. We must hold ourselves to the highest standard of reproductive control over the intact animals we are responsible for.

Clearly, there are health benefits to be derived from waiting until after puberty to spay or neuter your dog.

However, there are also significant risks associated with owning an intact, maturing pet.

How seriously you take your responsibility as a pet owner is the biggest determining factor in how risky it is to leave your dog intact until he or she matures. If you are responsible enough to absolutely guarantee your unsterilized pet will not have the opportunity to mate, I would encourage you to wait until your pet is past puberty to spay or neuter.

If you are unable to absolutely guarantee you can prevent your dog from mating and adding to the shameful, tragic problem of pet overpopulation, then I strongly encourage you to get your animal sterilized as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Please note: I’m not advocating pet owners keep their dogs intact indefinitely (see below). I’m also not suggesting that shelters and rescues stop sterilizing young animals before re-homing them. Shelter organizations can’t determine how responsible adoptive pet owners will be. In this situation, the risk of leaving adoptable animals intact is simply unacceptable. Shelters and rescues must immediately spay/neuter pets coming into their care.

If you’ve adopted or rescued a dog sterilized at an early age, I encourage you to talk with your holistic veterinarian about any concerns you have for your pet’s future well-being, and what steps you can take now to optimize her health throughout her life.

There is no one perfect answer to the spay/neuter question that fits every pet, and each situation should be handled individually.

For Responsible Pet Owners, Decisions About When to Spay or Neuter Should be Part of a Holistic Approach to Your Pet’s Health and Quality of Life

Other considerations include your dog’s diet, level of exercise, behavioral habits, previous physical or emotional trauma, existing health concerns, and overall lifestyle.

If you own an intact animal and need to make a spay/neuter decision, I encourage you to first learn all you can about surgical sterilization options and the risks and benefits associated with the procedures.

Talk with reputable breeders and other experienced dog owners, and consult a holistic vet to understand what steps you can take to ensure the overall health and longevity of your pet.

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Nancy’s Note: Personally I believe that Spay/Neutering between 5- 7 months old is very safe, especially with females. Females do not need to come into heat at all, if they do that too can increase their chance of having cancers later. So we do have in our contract the pups be altered between 5-6mths old, closer to 6months old the happier I am. This article by Dr Becker really impressed me, I hope that other breeders take note, and buyers reconsider purchasing Puppies that have had Early and Spay Neuter done.

Early and Spay Neuter,Say No to Early and Spay Neuter.