'One litter' idea is dangerous myth

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By John Koch, DVM

Question: Should female dogs be allowed to have one litter of puppies before they are spayed?

Answer: No! The idea of having a litter of puppies before spaying to prevent so-called "frustrated mother syndrome" is pure myth. If it is your choice to have a litter of puppies, then so be it. However, do not do this because of a mistaken impression that it is necessary to allow your pet proper development and maturation.

One of the most difficult tasks veterinarians are forced to deal with is euthanasia. Euthanasia is even more heartbreaking when cute, fat, browned-eyed puppies or kittens are subjected to it. All year long human societies are literally swamped with unbelievable numbers of unwanted puppies and kittens. There is not enough space to keep them all. There are not enough homes for them all. Yet every day 70,000 new puppies and kittens are born.

What can be done? Reality dictates two possibilities for unwanted pets: starvation or euthanasia. The first is unacceptable and the second is distasteful to animal lovers.

Spaying and neutering prevents unwanted pets and that is the best answer of all. The cost of spaying and neutering is minuscule compared with the cost and feeding and caring for a pet over its lifetime. Spaying and neutering reduces the odds of many types of cancer as well as other threats.

Today we conveniently live in a throwaway society. However, puppies and kittens should not be thrown away in the fashion of disposable diapers. Please do not use myths or other illogical excuses. Be responsible and have your pet spayed or neutered.

Dr. Koch is a Cape Girardeau-area veterinarian.