Pyometra Will Affect Almost All Unspayed Females Over the Age of Five. Challenger.

After what I went through with Misty yesterday, I advise everyone not to let their pet, or their pocketbook, suffer like this.
  
If Misty's late "Dad", had had her spayed years ago, she would not have developed Pyometra.
"Pyometra is a uterine infection where the uterus fills with pus. Pyometra is common in unspayed dogs."
"Pyometra is an important disease to be aware of for any dog owner because of the sudden nature of the disease and the deadly consequences if left untreated. It has been compared to acute appendicitis in humans, because both are essentially empyemas within an abdominal organ."  From:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyometra

Misty had breast tumors also, which spaying might have eliminated.
 
Misty's surgery was at least $800! 
(I don't have the complete bill, yet, as she has to go back.)
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Our local Animal Control charges $45 to neuter males, and $65 to spay females, cats or dogs.

There are some places that will do it free, or low cost, for those who cannot afford to have it done.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter/
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"Research studies have shown that a spayed or neutered pet lives an average of 2 years longer than their unspayed or unneutered counterparts.

Reduction in Disease

Aside from the behavioral benefits and preventing unwanted pregnancies, fixing your pet can help your pet's health.
According to PAWS, neutered males are less likely to develop problems with their prostate or testicular cancer and spayed females are less likely to develop cancer of the uterus or breast.
Spaying also helps decrease the risk of urinary tract infections."
Read more: The Benefits From Spaying & Neutering Your Animal | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6394041_benefits-spaying-neutering-animal.html#ixzz1CI7bKQLl
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"Why sterilize your dog? Why not?   Myths abound!   Here are the facts:
Come? Sit? No way!  His brain is somewhere else!!
BEHAVIOR IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF DOGS
Most bites to humans are by UN-NEUTERED MALES.
 
The largest percentage of roaming dogs
are UN-NEUTERED MALES.

The largest incidence of dog to dog aggression
is in UN-NEUTERED MALES.
Early spay/neuter? Is it safe? How early?

3. IT CAN INCREASE YOUR PET'S LIFE EXPECTANCY.
Spaying eliminates uterine infection and reduces the risk of mammary cancer. Neutering prevents testicular and prostate cancer. In addition to the health benefits, your pet won't face the danger of being in fights, run over or exposed to diseases while on the prowl in search of a mate."
More at: http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/whyspayneuter.html
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Spay & Neuter

Spaying and neutering has a number of benefits to your pet. Besides reducing the pet overpopulation problem. Research studies have shown that a spayed or neutered pet lives an average of 2 years longer than their unspayed or unneutered counterparts.
 
Spaying female dogs prevents:
Mammary tumors
Once your dog has gone through a single heat cycle, her chances for developing cancerous mammary masses increase by 98%. Spaying her before her first heat eliminates this possibility.

Pyometra
In layman’s terms, this is an infected uterus. This is a very serious condition that will affect almost all unsprayed females over the age of five. Pyometra can and will result in death if not taken care of immediately – the cure is surgical removal of the infected uterus, which is often 2-3 times more expensive that a routine spay.

C-section for difficult birth
Not all pregnancies end with a happy picture, some females need emergency care while delivering. C-sections can cost thousands of dollars at emergency facilities, and failing to assist the mother can often lead to death of the mother and pups.

Injury
95% of dogs hit by cars are unspayed or unneutered. When in heat, a female dog will often run away from her home in search of a mate. In addition, many dogs will get into fights or get injured while breeding.
 
Spaying female cats prevents:
Contagious disease
Most of the deadly viruses cats get are spread through saliva or other bodily fluids.

Spraying and Inappropriate Urination
Unspayed females advertise their condition by urinating in different areas outside of the litterbox, which can include spraying on vertical surfaces to mark their territory.

Malnutrition
Female cats in heat burn a lot of calories and often lose weight or develop other metabolic disorders.

Injury
Even well-behaved strictly indoor cats will find ways to get out of the house when in heat, putting them at risk for being attacked by other animals or hit by cars.
 
Neutering Male Dogs and Cats Prevents:
Cancer
A neutered male does not develop testicular cancer and male dogs are far less prone too developing prostate or rectal cancer if neutered, neutered males do not develop Perineal hernias.

Behavioral Problems
Unneutered males (both canine and feline) tend to be more aggressive with other animals and people. Unneutered males are also very prone to urinating or spraying (cats) inappropriately. Thousands of dogs and casts get relinquished to shelters every year for inappropriate behaviors like these.

Disease and Injury
Unneutered males will fight with each other, causing injury and spreading disease (cats). Unneutered males are also far more likely to be hit by a car than neutered males.
From: http://www.animalhealthcarespecialists.com/services/surgery/spay-neuter/
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Curious as to what happens when your pet gets spayed?
http://www.safeharborfarm.org/spays.htm
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Where we you when the Challenger met it's fate, 25 years ago, today?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Challenger

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Misty slept through the night, and hardly moved at all, but has to go back to the vet to have her catheter removed today.