Dogs considered livestock?

[tmfinley]

The horse meat thread got me thinking. People were pretty tolerant of others saying they would eat dog meat if they had to. I was a bit surprised, although I agree with it.

When my Great Pyr had puppies I did a search to see if I could neuter the males myself, like I do the goats, on this forum. I found a few threads on the topic and many angry comments along the lines of,"How could you be so cruel," or, "I would turn you in to the police if I knew you were doing that."

I don't know for sure but I don't think the anatomy is so different to make it a health safety issue. Why is it so different to perform this procedure on a dog rather than other livestock? Other than they are pets and you can't see yourself hurting them.

[Ruby]

I would think the dogs would hurt themselves trying to get the bands off. Where as the goats don't try to chew them off.

[ErinP]

In most states around here, dogs are indeed considered livestock and you probably would face no legal repercussions for a DIY neuter. I'm not sure I'd want to do it myself, but I also won't do my horses, either.

i think the reason people get so bent out of shape about the idea of dogs and not cattle, goats, etc., is more to do with the demographic of who the owners are, rather than the animals themselves.

trying to get the bands off.

And i was thinking of a knife, since everything we castrate is done via knife.

[gina kay]

I consider my dogs as livestock, in a way, because I have 12 of them they are all outside dogs (heelers and catahoulas/heeler mix). They are used for herding. I also consider them pets because they all have names and I talk to them and they talk back. I believe some people would have a problem neutering their dogs themselves because they see them only as pets and probably can't see themselves doing that to pets that stay in the house and are considered famly members.

[longshadowfarms]

If you've found those threads, then keep reading. We have a number of vets on the board who have explained in detail why this should be done by a pro.

[watcher]

Originally Posted by longshadowfarms

If you've found those threads, then keep reading. We have a number of vets on the board who have explained in detail why this should be done by a pro.

Not to put the vets on the board down but most vets suggest you use a pro for all kinds of things. Vaccinations and castration are just two. While I most likely wouldn't cut my own dog, if it came down to it I'd only think twice before I grabbed the razor blade.

[Bearfootfarm]

To castrate a dog, it needs to be sedated to the point of unconciousness.
Unless youre a Vet, it's illegal for you to have the needed drugs.
Take your dogs to a Vet and dont butcher them up by THINKING you can do it

[tmfinley]

I swear I'm not trying to be obtuse, but why does a dog need be practically knocked out and not other animals?

Don't get me wrong, I've never actually used a blade to castrate livestock, but know others who have. I'm just trying to understand what the difference is.

[Bearfootfarm]

Originally Posted by tmfinley

I swear I'm not trying to be obtuse, but why does a dog need be practically knocked out and not other animals?

Don't get me wrong, I've never actually used a blade to castrate livestock, but know others who have. I'm just trying to understand what the difference is.

Livestock is usually restrained when castrating, and a goat wont bite you if you hurt it.
A dog will NOT allow itself to be restrained while youre cutting on it. It's not in their nature.
If it COULD be done HUMANELY without anesthetics, the Vets wouldnt bother with it either.

[mem]

The anatomy is quite different, though. All of our farm animals have the testicles removed through incisions in the scrotum. When a dog is neutered, the testicles are pushed toward the head, and an incision is made through the skin adjacent to the penis. If a dog is neutered through a scrotal incision, it is much more likely to have a scrotal hernia, and have its guts come out.

It is also a humane and safety issue. It is nearly impossible (without drugs)to restrain a dog enough to cut it -- the dog will struggle and someone will end up bitten. And because of the way that a neuter is done, it takes longer, whereas in farm animals it takes 2 seconds and the pain is over.

And yes, vets do recommend that a lot of things get done by a pro. Castrations for humane and safety reasons, vaccines because by law it is required that a rabies vaccine be given by a veterinarian. And when a vet does a vaccination, the pet gets the benefit of a thorough physical exam. I would no more expect my mechanic to neuter his own dog than he would expect me to rebuild a transmission (and my car is not alive).

Originally Posted by tmfinley

I don't know for sure but I don't think the anatomy is so different to make it a health safety issue. Why is it so different to perform this procedure on a dog rather than other livestock? Other than they are pets and you can't see yourself hurting them.

[Goat Servant]

Friend of ours banded his dog. It wasnt a wise decision. It became all infected.

[ladycat]

Legalities and proper procedures aside, many farmers and ranchers around here neuter their own dogs and cats. They cut calves and pigs. They see dogs and cats as little different. Just another livestock task to perform.

[ErinP]

That's the way it is around here, too, ladycat.
We don't neuter our pets (or horses, as mentioned above), but it's most assuredly not uncommon for someone to do it themselves.
At the same time, we also wouldn't dream of shooting a dog that killed chickens or chased cattle.

Not to put the vets on the board down but most vets suggest you use a pro for all kinds of things. Vaccinations and castration are just two.

Not around here. The vet (or feed store) sells you the vaccine and while horse castration is usually done by the vet, cattle are almost always done by the rancher.

...than he would expect me to rebuild a transmission (and my car is not alive).

Something else that has been known to occur in a backyard.

[no1cowboy]

Originally Posted by mem

It is nearly impossible (without drugs)to restrain a dog enough to cut it -- the dog will struggle and someone will end up bitten.

I use to cut pigs as part of my job on the farm where I worked, Have you ever tried to restrain a pig? I dont see a dog of the same size being any harder. I have also done my own barn cats, try and hold on to one of them!!

[Quint]

Anything having to do with pet animals is beyond logic or common sense and governed by anthropomorphic sentimentality and hordes of lunatics with a serious mental disconnect with nature and humanity.

What makes perfect logical sense to normal people leaves the animal worshiping crowd rolling around on the floor foaming at the mouth and crying for bloody retribution.

[Pops2]

i wasn't unconscious when i got my nuts cut, i don't see why fido can't use a local after being hogtied and muzzled. it'll help remind him of who's in charge. also my schedule of vaccines is more up to date on the dogs than it would be if i had to rely on a vet.

[ErinP]

Originally Posted by no1cowboy

I use to cut pigs as part of my job on the farm where I worked, Have you ever tried to restrain a pig? I dont see a dog of the same size being any harder. I have also done my own barn cats, try and hold on to one of them!!

Grandpa-in-law always stuffed them in his boot for restraint.

[gerald77]

i know of someone who bands their dogs. never had any problems i hear. i thought about it. one of my goats got an infection so i don't see how a dog getting an infection there and a goat getting one is any different.

[GBov]

My aunt always did her own cats and they all lived long happy lives so I cant see how a dog can be that much different.

But you arnt half right about the wooly hat brigade