Veterinarian here: ask me anything!

[Deagle113]

I got a question about rabbits (I asked before but I guess it went under in the flood of other questions). I've seen rabbits with both furless as well as furred balls, which is also a factor I try to depict anatomically correct in furry character design. I'm a bit uncertain why both options seem to be a thing. Is it a seasonal thing that they sometimes grow fur and sometimes they do not? Or is it different from breed to breed? A furless scrotum seems to be more normal for rabbits than it is for hares, according to the pictures I saw, but I'm not certain how rare or common it is.

I think I remember this question! Sorry it got lost I must have missed responding to it. The purpose of fur or any of the other testicular adaptations is to keep sperm at the idea temperature to prevent mutation or damage -- either from excessive heat or cold.

All our domestic rabbit breeds descend from the wild European one, Orcytolagus cuniculus, but the genes for fur distribution have been played with to make all the different varieties. Most of the domestic rabbits I deal with have furless testicles, but I am not surprised about the fur on some breeds--look at Angoras!

One interesting fact about it -- rabbits have open inguinal canals, meaning their testicles can be pulled all the way up into their body vs stopping at a certain point as with many mammals.

 

[Jcbeast]

Can a dog being rehomed mess with the timing of their cycle? My girl was due in August of last year. Her heat didnt hit until October and was very minimal swelling and discharge. She is in heat now. Very strong heat with lotsa swelling. October of last year she was unsure of me and her surroundings. Currently she is very happy and content and honestly loves me more than life itself.

So what im curious is, if she had a heat 8 months from her last one due to mental stress, now everything is good and she had her heat at 4.5 months to put her back on schedule.

 

[UR20Z]

Are pigs aerodynamic?

ANYTHING is aerodynamic - if you strap enough thrust to it

 

[genophalin]

Hi Deagle, thanks for doing this! I have read through this thread and learned a lot, but I am still conflicted on the best course of action for a female puppy I will be getting soon (Husky). Given the different types of spays, how the reproductive system matures through heat cycles, and the increased health risks associated with not spaying, what is the best option if I want a girl that will be able to mate, while maximally avoiding potential health issues? Should I wait until a certain age or first heat before spaying? What type of spay procedure would be best to reduce risk while best maintaining the ability to mate? What is the trade off of having a healthy girl vs one that can be mated, and what actions should I take to achieve the best balance?

 

[nekdoneco123]

Hi Deagle, thanks for doing this! I have read through this thread and learned a lot, but I am still conflicted on the best course of action for a female puppy I will be getting soon (Husky). Given the different types of spays, how the reproductive system matures through heat cycles, and the increased health risks associated with not spaying, what is the best option if I want a girl that will be able to mate, while maximally avoiding potential health issues? Should I wait until a certain age or first heat before spaying? What type of spay procedure would be best to reduce risk while best maintaining the ability to mate? What is the trade off of having a healthy girl vs one that can be mated, and what actions should I take to achieve the best balance?

you do realize the point of the spay is to kill off any interest in mating, don't you?
"increased health risk associated with not spaying" is just overblown bullshit. yes, a girl can't get like pyometra without an uterus, but still. when something eventually takes her, there's really high chance it won't be because she's intact.

the best balance would be to not fuck her up with needless surgeries, you can't "avoid" health issues.

 

[K9Evangelist]

Change of subject. I've seen very little conversation about which breeds have the highest or lowest prey drives. It seems to me most would want a dog with a low prey drive so it would be more likely to get along with other animals.

 

[humananimal]

Dear Deagle113
There is a lot of talk about spaying a bitch to avoid pyometra. I won’t discus pros et contra about this.
BUT what I don’t understand is that the vet removes not only her uterus but her ovaries too, and in this way changes her hormonal status completely. The same way it is a known fact that removal of the testicles in both dogs and men causes, among other things, bone loss.
(I remember from the farm at home, 50 years ago, that a beautiful boar, probably 50-60 kg, had his nice balls removed = was castrated, and at once lost his sexual drive. Made me sad, he was so good to me until that)
My knowledge is about humans. Sterilisation of a woman is always done by blocking the fallopian tubes. Even if the uterus has to be removed, the surgeon will only touch the ovaries if there is a cancer.
Question : What is the rationale for removing the ovaries together with the uterus in a bitch ?

 

[genophalin]

you do realize the point of the spay is to kill off any interest in mating, don't you?
"increased health risk associated with not spaying" is just overblown bullshit. yes, a girl can't get like pyometra without an uterus, but still. when something eventually takes her, there's really high chance it won't be because she's intact.

the best balance would be to not fuck her up with needless surgeries, you can't "avoid" health issues.

Good grief. How absolutely condescending and self righteous this response is. Maybe you’re right, I don’t know, I’ll wait for the expert to respond, but you don’t have to talk down to me for asking questions and wanting to be better informed.

 

[nekdoneco123]

Good grief. How absolutely condescending and self righteous this response is. Maybe you’re right, I don’t know, I’ll wait for the expert to respond, but you don’t have to talk down to me for asking questions and wanting to be better informed.

you come in here with "how to best mutilate my future girl while keeping her fuckable?" question while literally using the "healthy girl vs one that can be mated" comparison, clearly implying an intact one is somehow wrong or unhealthy and speak of self-righteous? are you for real?

 

[genophalin]

you come in here with "how to best mutilate my future girl while keeping her fuckable?" question while literally using the "healthy girl vs one that can be mated" comparison, clearly implying an intact one is somehow wrong or unhealthy and speak of self-righteous? are you for real?

The expert in this thread has explained the potential health risks associated with not spaying in numerous responses. I may chose not to spay, I have not decided on a course of action yet, but I will chose to listen to what the expert has to say over some random condescending jerk who clearly has a bias and agenda, as evidenced by referring to spaying as mutilation and insinuating that those who choose to spay are bad people. For future reference, if you wish to continue to try and sway people toward your way of thinking, maybe try talking to them like an adult. You can respond to this if you need the last word to feel validated, but I won’t see it as I will be blocking your account so that I might continue having civil discourse with other grown ups.

 

[xanderpnw]

Serious question...I was wondering if you can tell when a male dog has been receiving anal sex by the looks of his anus? Sometimes after we have marathon days where I might put 3-4 loads inside him I think his hole looks kinda puffy and I get paranoid someone might suspect our relationship.

 

[unsure]

Why is castration looked on as "the way to do it."? Vasectomy should be seen as Standard practice. Spaying females is kinda other issue to Me since I have Balls. I've become attached to them over the years. Female issues are for females to settle. But I am in favor of your guys keeping the boys. Sex life totally aside. there is No reason aside from Cancer to take them. Okay I'm not a vet there maybe is. But I still don't like it. that's FINAL second to last call on it. just how I feel.

 

[protozoachiq]

Sorry if this has been asked already but there's 24 pages....

Can a vet tell if you have been having sex with your dog?

 

[Cookiecaretaker]

Sorry if this has been asked already but there's 24 pages....

time to read then - its answered multiple times

 

[Haze]

Bulky bodies, short legs, and general lack of abilities to fly mean they aren't evolved for air travel. Pigs are excellent for a lot of other things, and are wicked smart, but their intelligence doesn't extend to the air xD

I mean, on theory if a pig moves fast enough through the air, then it can "fly".

How ever, with the speeds needed to do that, would I believe that a pig would be turned into beacon instead

 

[erphy]

Hi Deagle, thanks for doing this! I have read through this thread and learned a lot, but I am still conflicted on the best course of action for a female puppy I will be getting soon (Husky). Given the different types of spays, how the reproductive system matures through heat cycles, and the increased health risks associated with not spaying, what is the best option if I want a girl that will be able to mate, while maximally avoiding potential health issues? Should I wait until a certain age or first heat before spaying? What type of spay procedure would be best to reduce risk while best maintaining the ability to mate? What is the trade off of having a healthy girl vs one that can be mated, and what actions should I take to achieve the best balance?

I have researched this quite a bit and also deep in this thread somewhere it has been discussed. In a nutshell the risks of not spaying at all increases chances of pyometra (obviously) and breast cancer. I dealt with pyo on one of my girls and it is not fun we almost lost her and also expensive. Vets in the US are rather ill informed regarding the reproductive system of dogs as most are spayed. I had to go to a specialist hospital. As for breast cancer it is super easy to screen them, just feel their mammary glands around their nipples for bumps and get it checked if you find something.

Risks of spaying as in a ovarihysterectomy which is removing the uterus and ovaries, what the term "spaying" means. Removes the risk of pyo obviously, and the removal of the ovaries means no more heat or sexual desire AND studies are showing increases the chances of other health issues such as other forms of cancers and bone/joint issues.

The meet in the middle is an Ovary Sparing Spay (OSS). This is basically a hysterectomy where they remove the uterus and one ovary, leaving one behind to keep doing its hormone thing. The dog will continue to go through heat cycles , but not bleed and of course not be able to get pregnant. Technically she would still get horny and enjoy sex if she was prior to the procedure. Some folks here report they may loose interest however, so YMMV. Also if getting this done, the vet needs to leave as much of the vaginal canal intact right up to behind the cervix. This is in case she accidentally gets bred by a male dog , he has less chance of hurting her. It is still not a zero chance depending on the size of dog as the healed end of the vaginal canal won't be as strong as if the cervix was there. This is also to be considered with sex with a human. If you are too big and go too far you could hurt her.

I'm in the boat of not spaying at all even having went through pyo with one of my dogs. I want to keep them as nature intended. There is always the quandry of breeder contracts to think about, as in them forcing you to prove the dog is spayed by a certain age. I'm in that boat and I'm hoping the breeder doesn't come looking for me to get that proof. In the contract they can sue you to repossess your dog or for many thousands of dollars compensation for not following it. The OSS may be the only compromise available in these situations.

 

[genophalin]

I have researched this quite a bit and also deep in this thread somewhere it has been discussed. In a nutshell the risks of not spaying at all increases chances of pyometra (obviously) and breast cancer. I dealt with pyo on one of my girls and it is not fun we almost lost her and also expensive. Vets in the US are rather ill informed regarding the reproductive system of dogs as most are spayed. I had to go to a specialist hospital. As for breast cancer it is super easy to screen them, just feel their mammary glands around their nipples for bumps and get it checked if you find something.

Risks of spaying as in a ovarihysterectomy which is removing the uterus and ovaries, what the term "spaying" means. Removes the risk of pyo obviously, and the removal of the ovaries means no more heat or sexual desire AND studies are showing increases the chances of other health issues such as other forms of cancers and bone/joint issues.

The meet in the middle is an Ovary Sparing Spay (OSS). This is basically a hysterectomy where they remove the uterus and one ovary, leaving one behind to keep doing its hormone thing. The dog will continue to go through heat cycles , but not bleed and of course not be able to get pregnant. Technically she would still get horny and enjoy sex if she was prior to the procedure. Some folks here report they may loose interest however, so YMMV. Also if getting this done, the vet needs to leave as much of the vaginal canal intact right up to behind the cervix. This is in case she accidentally gets bred by a male dog , he has less chance of hurting her. It is still not a zero chance depending on the size of dog as the healed end of the vaginal canal won't be as strong as if the cervix was there. This is also to be considered with sex with a human. If you are too big and go too far you could hurt her.

I'm in the boat of not spaying at all even having went through pyo with one of my dogs. I want to keep them as nature intended. There is always the quandry of breeder contracts to think about, as in them forcing you to prove the dog is spayed by a certain age. I'm in that boat and I'm hoping the breeder doesn't come looking for me to get that proof. In the contract they can sue you to repossess your dog or for many thousands of dollars compensation for not following it. The OSS may be the only compromise available in these situations.

Thank you so much, I appreciate you taking the time to share this knowledge! My own research had also lead me to believe OSS was likely the best option, or simply opting to not spay. In regards to OSS, if it’s done prior to first or second heat, will she still continue to mature sexually after the procedure since those hormones are still present, or would you still need to wait until after the second heat?

 

[erphy]

Thank you so much, I appreciate you taking the time to share this knowledge! My own research had also lead me to believe OSS was likely the best option, or simply opting to not spay. In regards to OSS, if it’s done prior to first or second heat, will she still continue to mature sexually after the procedure since those hormones are still present, or would you still need to wait until after the second heat?

Technically she will continue to sexually mature as all the hormones are still there. I'm no expert but it probably is best after 1.5-2 / 2 heats because you want everything growing together in unison.

 

[n1ghtj4r17]

Thanks for this, it's very reassuring to hear that. I monitor her health like a hawk and she's a very happy girl. I've been talking to some users about it and I've lowered how many times I fuck her a day to 2-4 times since I was worried more would negtitavly affect her health. I might raise how many times I fuck her a day to what I normally was doing now and closely watch for any signs of infections.

And no I don't feel guilty anymore I know she loves it as much as I do and she's a happy little goofy angel. I'm exited to fuck her as much as I want without having to worry to much now, so thanks for easing my mind doc!

It's worth noting that you may also want to consider your own behavioral health. If this is impacting your life in any adverse way--taking up your time and energy, distracting you from other activities, etc--it may be considered a kind of sex addiction.

 

[humananimal]

It's worth noting that you may also want to consider your own behavioral health. If this is impacting your life in any adverse way--taking up your time and energy, distracting you from other activities, etc--it may be considered a kind of sex addiction.

just like most human lovers

 

[SxaBeast]

I mean, on theory if a pig moves fast enough through the air, then it can "fly".

How ever, with the speeds needed to do that, would I believe that a pig would be turned into beacon instead

Beacon is a sight to be seen.

 

[humananimal]

Pink Floyd made an album ‘Animals’ and made a flying pig.
Another type is The Muppet Show with ‘Pigs in Space’

 

[n1ghtj4r17]

just like most human lovers

I can think of at least one important difference, but otherwise, yeah.

 

[threeeyes]

It's worth noting that you may also want to consider your own behavioral health. If this is impacting your life in any adverse way--taking up your time and energy, distracting you from other activities, etc--it may be considered a kind of sex addiction.

It could be... but honestly I dont see a negative effect of my habits so far. I enjoy sex A LOT, the kinkier the better (hence fucking my dog). I can go days without but when it's convenient I will take it... i hope to find a girl that can match my libido one day and that also is as kinky as I am (wishful thinking), but for now I'll just fuck my ausie girl until my balls are drained.

 

[DobieBitchLover]

If my intact female dog is being flirty with a male outside of heat to the point she would let him mount, should I stop that behavior?

 

[humananimal]

If my intact female dog is being flirty with a male outside of heat to the point she would let him mount, should I stop that behavior?

I guess she is in heat, you just don’t know
stop the behaviour - his or hers ?
If she is not in heat, then they are just enjoying each other. If she is really is in heat? your reaction depends on what you want

 

[Deagle113]

Can a dog being rehomed mess with the timing of their cycle? My girl was due in August of last year. Her heat didnt hit until October and was very minimal swelling and discharge. She is in heat now. Very strong heat with lotsa swelling. October of last year she was unsure of me and her surroundings. Currently she is very happy and content and honestly loves me more than life itself.

So what im curious is, if she had a heat 8 months from her last one due to mental stress, now everything is good and she had her heat at 4.5 months to put her back on schedule.

It can indeed. The timing is quite sensitive to general environmental conditions and can be delayed in stressful ones.

 

[Deagle113]

So many awesome questions I need to check back here more regularly

 

[epona_paladin]

Do horses have erotic zones like humans do?

 

[Deagle113]

Dear Deagle113
Question : What is the rationale for removing the ovaries together with the uterus in a bitch ?

Veterinary medicine, at least in the US, is probably ten to fifteen years behind human medicine.

I think the rationale is that we assumed estrogen/testosterone was primarily for reproduction initially and discovered it's many different effects piecemeal later on. One can cynically combine this with the thought that other species are here for us to use however we would like, and it is easy to justify simply removing all "reproduction" related parts and pieces, since the animals can't advocate for themselves.

Unfortunately, research wise animals will always be second to humans in funding and attention, so it takes an extraordinarily long time to collect the budget and interest necessary to study effects in them that don't have anything to do with basic bodily functions or ways that we can get them to grow faster for extra production or service to humans.