Answers From Experts

July 1999 Issue

Case of the Missing Hormones

Urinary incontinence in the spayed female.

Incontinence in spayed females is fairly common. The problem is caused by a lack of estrogen, which, of course, was brought about by the spay surgery. Many people assume that when females are spayed, the veterinarian simply “ties the tubes,” that is, cuts and ties off the fallopian tubes so that the ovum can not travel from the ovaries, down the fallopian tubes, and become fertilized. Actually, the veterinarian removes the ovaries and usually, the uterus, too. The reason for this is that you not only want the female to become incapable of becoming pregnant, but also, you want her not to exhibit symptoms of heat.

To continue reading this entire article you must be a paid subscriber.

Subscribe to Whole Dog Journal

Get the next year of WHOLE DOG JOURNAL for just $20. And access all of our online content - 1,000 dog training, health and nutrition articles- free of charge.

That's a savings of $9 off the regular rate. Or subscribe for two years for $30 and save even more. It's like getting the second year free.

Already subscribe but haven't registered for all the benefits of the website? Click here.

Subscriber Log In

Forgot your password? Click Here.