Pet cosmetic surgery

[pagey]

Did anyone see a program a while back on CH4 or 5 where people had cosmetic surgery performed on thier pets? I initially thought it must be a joke, but they went on to show these dogs having thier ears cut with scissors (in the US of course - illegal here) for 'cosmetic reasons'. And the owner trying her best to put up an argument for it.

There were also cosmetic testicles for neutered pets (strange but forgiveable).

I sometimes struggle to understand how people can be so insecure to have unnecessary cosmetic surgery on themselves, but thier pets!?

[blue eyes ;)]

i didnt see the prog but i own a miniature pinscher and all the books i have about them show pictures of them with "clipped" ears.its so cruel...my dogs ears stand up on their own and yes they are quite big ears!! but just to crop them for cosmetic purposes is so cruel.if they didnt want a dog with big ears then why buy it?!!

[Carakeel]

I agree with you pagey and blue eyes. I so wish it was not allowed to doc any part of a dog. Although I understand that working dogs who go underground are not injured so much if their tails are docked. I still hate the thought though!

I have always had breeds that are never docked and will continue to do so. I've so far had three Irish Wolfhounds, A St. Bernard, two Great Danes (rescue dogs, after which I needed rescuing!!!!!), an Irish Setter and a Shih-Tzu. All wonderful dogs!

I doubt I could do the cosmetic surgery thing even on me, far too much of a cward! Besides, my wonderful man loves me the way I am. Mind you, he might change his mind in a few years ... :o[

[lankeela]

If he wants you to have your ears cropped or your tail docked I would suggest you get him castrated.

[RATTER15]

I find ear and tail docking really sick except in the case of certain dogs where it is done for the benefit of the dog.

[blue eyes ;)]

mines tails docked but i didnt know about it until i viewed the puppy,it was already done and i saw him at 4 weeks.dew claws were gone too.what age do they have tails docked?i dont agree with it mind you but i fell in love with the puppy so got him,its sad though that they are docked.i had a dobermann before and it wasnt docked.xx

[lankeela]

Tails have to be docked between 2 - 5 days and be done by a vet. They are done without anaesthetic, but the puppies feel very minimal discomfort as their nervous systems are not fully dveloped by then. The majority show no signs of even knowing it has been done and are returned to mum where they resume suckling as though nothing has happened.

Sadly some vets are not as practised at this as most breeders, and although I can understand why they do not want 'Joe Public' to do it, experienced breeders often do it better and quicker than some still wet behind the ears vets just out of vet school.

[Elfin]

I watched that programme and it made difficult viewing. All the sicko procedures were done in the US. The worst (for me) was a woman who lived for her home furnishings - it was like the worst kind of pretentious show home. Her daughter adopted 2 stray kittens. When the kittens started climbing the curtains, snagging the oh-so-expensive material and just ruining the look of her rooms, she issued an ultimatum to the daughter - de-claw the kittens or they have to go. So off to the weirdo vet they went - a guy who performs something like 300 de-clawing ops per year. He happily mutilated these kittens by removing the end joint (with claw) from each tiny toe on each tiny paw, while the woman justified it by saying that everyone in her neighbourhood has it done to their cats. Afterwards, as soon as they came round from the anaesthetic, the kitties were desperately licking their bloodied toes, clearly distressed.
Grim viewing. Left me cold, I can say. Thankfully, it's illegal to do that in most civilised countries in the world, including the UK.