Spay myth or fact?

[smehta1]

I just heard that if you spay your dog -the chances of bones becoming brittle in her old age are high since the dog doesn't have the benefit of estrogen supply that an unspayed dog has. I've never heard this before...is this a myth? If its true...should I put Chloe on some supplements (she got spayed a few days ago).

[erdog3]

It's true. So long as you feed a good quality, healthy diet, you should not have too many problems.
There is also another problem with the oestrogen or lack there of but I can't remember now, I was only reading up on this the other day.
The benefits of sterilization far out weigh the chance of bone problems later. Which do not specifically say it will happen, just that it might.
The same as for us, some things might happen to us humans, but the benefits sometimes far out weigh any side effects.

[smehta1]

Thanks Ellie...if you dont mind a barrage of questions...could you tell me : 1) At what age does the brittle bone problem kick in?
2) What is the rate of occurance?
3) Is there anything we can do besides a healthy diet?

[erdog3]

I need to find the article again. I have so many books and magazines here on dogs I can't remember which one. lol.
I was actually doing some research on our sticky links when I came across that info on the osterogen, I found it interesting too.
Will find it again and post it for you.

[erdog3]

Ah! I found one of the things it said. Spayed females can develop a leaky valve at the neck of the bladder. Probably a result of low oestrogen levels.
The search through the books continues for the bone problem.

[smehta1]

Does this mean incontinence? Would they be prone to infection as well?

[erdog3]

No, not infections, only a leaky valve. I have been looking all through the books for that other thing, you know I can even remember which side of the page, but not the book. Darn. That is so annoying.

For what it's worth I just remember reading the article it said that the lack of oestrogen can cause problems later in the bones, or something to that effect, that a good diet earlier on can help prevent it, the chances I cant quite remember, something in 100 anyway, may have been 2%, and the chances of it happening far outweigh the chance of cancer etc. if left unspayed.
I was looking up something to do with the skin and teeth I think when I saw it.

[smehta1]

Not a problem ...Thank you so much for being patient with all my questions. It was a big help!