Today's Pawbly question..
I have an unneutered 7 month old aussie-poo mix who wont quit peeing and spraying every where. The last week he has hiked his leg on people's faces, legs, my tv, and all over my walls. We take him outside every hour, but nothing works. He just does it even worse outside. I have run out of ideas for what to do that might actually work. Any advice?
Barks and Blooms replied;
Hi Christie--An Aussie-Poo! What's his name?
My first thought is neutering help with this issue.
It sounds like it may be more of a territorial behavior rather than a potty training issue.
Here is a great article with information on why this is happening and what to do about it. It suggests neutering an intact male to reduce the spraying, but also offers solutions if you choose not to neuter. Please let us know how he progresses!
My first thought is neutering help with this issue.
It sounds like it may be more of a territorial behavior rather than a potty training issue.
Here is a great article with information on why this is happening and what to do about it. It suggests neutering an intact male to reduce the spraying, but also offers solutions if you choose not to neuter. Please let us know how he progresses!
Barks and Blooms gave great advice! Many Thanks to them for helping Christie,
I added a few thoughts just from the DVM point of view,
Hello!! Everyone!!
Certainly in a 7 mo old puppy I would ask your vet about neutering. Lots of boys like to "mark their territory" with urine, BUT, the other concern is a urinary tract infection. It is not as common in younger puppies but it is a possibility, and the longer you wait to treat a urinary infection the more difficult it can be. Also, an untreated urinary tract infection can lead to a kidney infection which is VERY VERY bad.
The ASPCA has a wonderful blog on spaying and neutering, it is included below. It can help you talk about and think about neutering. If your puppy is marking then neutering ASAP is the best way to curb the unwanted behavior.
There are some pee pad diapers available commercially, but if your goal is to stop the peeing then you need to identify and treat the underlying cause. Pee collection diapers just help collect all of the pee, and that means changing a lot of diapers.
If you need any help discussing any of these I would be happy to help.
We are all so excited to be able to provide a platform for so many viewpoints and we hope to be able to provide lots of resources for people and their pets world wide!
Here is why I recommend spaying and neutering;
Many new pet parents wonder about spaying and neutering. It
is one of the most common questions I am asked at a new puppy and kitten
examination.
At every new puppy/kitten exam I discuss the timeline for care
of their new addition.
In general puppies and kittens visit the veterinarian every
three weeks between 8 and 16 weeks. At six months old we recommend spaying and
neutering.
Here are some of the reasons why we recommend spaying and
neutering.
In case you aren’t familiar with the terms, spay a female,
neuter a male.
Spaying is removal of the female reproductive organs. This
is usually the removal of the uterus and ovaries via an abdominal incision.
Spaying a female before their first heat cycle will
significantly reduce their chances of ever having mammary (breast) cancer. (It
is reduced to almost zero). Mammary tumors affect both dogs and cats but is often
aggressive and life-threatening in cats. If you ever feel bumps or abnormal
tissue around your pets nipples please see a veterinarian.
Spaying will help your pet live longer.
Spaying will help your cat be a better pet. An unspayed cat
will go into heat, usually for 4-5 days about every three weeks, during
breeding season. When they do they often call loudly, usually at all hours of
the day and night, and act erratically. Some will even spray urine to attract a
male. This is very annoying and drives some pet parents a little crazy.
Spaying your pet will help prevent pet over population.
There are millions of unwanted pets who cannot find a home. By spaying your pet
you will be helping prevent another unwanted pet from being the victim of a
society that euthanizes unwanted or un-owned pets.
Your pet does not benefit from having a litter, neither does
allowing your pet to have a litter help your family understand responsibility
or biology. A pet that is allowed to have a litter is allowing a nation of over
populated pets to be burdened further. Teaching responsibility starts with
teaching to be kind and compassionate. Do you know where those babies will go?
Can you afford to care for all of them in case you cannot find a forever loving
home for them?
Not spaying your pet can lead to the additional expenses.
This includes veterinary care, vaccinations, de-worming and spaying and
neutering if you cannot find them a home.
Neutering is the removal of the testes from the scrotum.
Neutering removes the chance of testicular cancer and
significantly reduces the chance of prostate problems in dogs.
Neutering also reduces the roaming of your dog. They will
not be driven to stray to find a mate and it will help keep your pet safely in
your yard or home. Unfortunately, many dogs are involved in traffic accidents
or hit by a car because they are driven to roam to find a female in heat.
Behavior issues may be curbed or avoided by neutering. Aggressiveness
and marking with urine are more common in intact males. If you wanted a pet to
be your companion then it is in both your and their best interest to spay and
neuter.
An unneutered cat will often mark or spray your home and
your belongings. The urine is very strong smelling and can be difficult to
remove. Neutering your cat before 7 months old will help prevent this behavior
from being displayed. If your cat starts to spray see your veterinarian and
have him neutered as soon as possible to try to stop this.
Spaying and neutering requires veterinary assistance. There
are affordable, low cost spay and neuter clinics available in almost all cities
in the U.S. The anesthetics and procedure are routine and very safe. Anesthesia
has inherent risk but there are many ways to diminish the risks to your pet.
Ask your veterinarian for information and recommendations about these surgeries.
If you decided a pet was something you wanted to share your
life with then you decided to have a pet for the love and happiness they bring.
By spaying and neutering you are helping to prevent disease, provide a safer
home, save other pets from pet overpopulation and provide for a happier longer life
with your pet.
Hi Krista, I am a small animal vet in Canada. The newest research is now showing that neutering dogs may lead to other diseases such as increasing osteosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas in Golden Retrievers. Is adding food for thought from our traditional approach. NOt sure yet about advice for females having gone through heats in breeding females, but in males if not showing severe male behaviours ie marking everywhere I have been giving owners the facts and letting them decide.
ReplyDeleteFrom one vet to another