• Getting a dog spayed is a big decision.dog image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
  
  Spaying dogs is often recommended by veterinarians, breeders and animal shelters in the United States. The medical procedure is called an ovariohysterectomy and it includes the removal of a female dog's reproductive tract. The primary reasons spaying is recommended is to avoid unwanted pregnancies and to prevent certain cancers and illnesses. While spaying has many benefit, there are also some risks involved.
  
  

Obesity

• Dogs that have been spayed are almost twice as likely to be overweight because of a change in metabolism. Obesity is associated with several health problems in dogs.
  
  

Cancer

• Spaying decreases the chance of certain cancers, but in dogs that are spayed prior to maturity, it increases the risk of osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma typically affects larger breed dogs. Other cancers that appear to be a greater risk in spayed dogs include splenic hemangiosarcoma and cardiac hemangiosarcoma.
  
  

Urinary Problems

• Urinary tract infections are more common in spayed dogs. These infections can also lead to spay incontinence, which occurs when a dog has a decreased ability to control urination. Spaying also increases the slight risk of urinary tract tumors.
  
  

Surgery

• The risk of surgery complications should always be considered. Animals can have adverse reactions to anesthesia, hemorrhage, inflammation and infection.
  
  

Other Risks

• Other risks of spaying that should be considered include contracting hypothyroidism, orthopedic disorders, vaginitis, vaginal dermatitis and a recessed vulva. Spayed dogs can also show an increase in aggression.