Any vets in here? (Dog question)
Discussion
We have a 6 month old male pup. Labradoodle. We intend to have him neutered.
Our vet says at 6 months... it should happen now. No later than 7 months.
A friend (also a vet) says no way... dog is still growing, hasn't even started cocking leg yet - needs testosterone whilst still growing, the deed should be done 3 months after starts cocking leg.
Any vets in here want to add their opinions?
TIA
Our vet says at 6 months... it should happen now. No later than 7 months.
A friend (also a vet) says no way... dog is still growing, hasn't even started cocking leg yet - needs testosterone whilst still growing, the deed should be done 3 months after starts cocking leg.
Any vets in here want to add their opinions?
TIA
I'm not a vet, but have researched the subject regarding my dogs.
Removing the doggy dangles too soon can stunt the growth of a male dog. It won't calm the animal down either. Good training will make your dog more obedient.
What's your reason to have the dog neutered at such a young age?
Removing the doggy dangles too soon can stunt the growth of a male dog. It won't calm the animal down either. Good training will make your dog more obedient.
What's your reason to have the dog neutered at such a young age?
RobXjcoupe said:
What's your reason to have the dog neutered at such a young age?
Our vet suggested 6 months. But we are inclined to leave it at least 3 more months (as per the advice of our friend - also a vet).There obvious advantages and disadvantages to neutering, we've read shed loads of articles and have decided to have it done. Both vets agree on that.
)My dogs have always been neutered by the rescue centre before I adopted them, so I've had no control over when it was done. Sam and Jet were neutered at 7 months and Max was neutered before reaching the rescue centre. He was estimated as 5 months then, so must have been neutered well before (no sign of recent op). My other dogs have been older.
If I had a young male dog without these restrictions, especially a larger breed, I would be tempted to leave it until 12 months or later.
I don't think there's anything in this 'cocking their leg' business. Some males don't ever cock their legs - I've had several older males who've been neutered later in life who didn't cock their leg.
If I had a young male dog without these restrictions, especially a larger breed, I would be tempted to leave it until 12 months or later.
I don't think there's anything in this 'cocking their leg' business. Some males don't ever cock their legs - I've had several older males who've been neutered later in life who didn't cock their leg.
johnxjsc1985 said:
why have him "done" at all . I have had a Bull mastiff and two GSD's and they all had their bits intact and I never had any problems.
I understand why a perceived aggressive male dog has the dangly bit removed but other than aggression what is the reasoning ?.
Endless stuff on the net about this.I understand why a perceived aggressive male dog has the dangly bit removed but other than aggression what is the reasoning ?.
You don't need to have him neutered at all, but it does have some health and welfare benefits, all my dogs have been neutered before 2yrs but I have regretted not being able to get a homebred replacement for my most recent acquisition. But given his poor elbow condition, it might never have happened. If you decide to neuter the dog, the benefits will include less issues with other dogs, sometimes none sometimes not as few as you would like, it just depends. There are health benefits more to do with prevention of some male only issues such as testicular probs or anal adenomas, but weight gain can be an issue just as with neutered females. Mostly neutering makes life easier for both sides. As for age, any one that tells you it must be done by 7 months doesn't really justify your faith, they are just spouting doctrine with no ability to assess individual pets or clients. Do not out your faith in them. Nature did not intend us to neuter everything, but it meant all to breed and reproduce which is commonly a problem. I would advise neutering but it is not required in all cases. HTH
Thevet said:
You don't need to have him neutered at all, but it does have some health and welfare benefits, all my dogs have been neutered before 2yrs but I have regretted not being able to get a homebred replacement for my most recent acquisition. But given his poor elbow condition, it might never have happened. If you decide to neuter the dog, the benefits will include less issues with other dogs, sometimes none sometimes not as few as you would like, it just depends. There are health benefits more to do with prevention of some male only issues such as testicular probs or anal adenomas, but weight gain can be an issue just as with neutered females. Mostly neutering makes life easier for both sides. As for age, any one that tells you it must be done by 7 months doesn't really justify your faith, they are just spouting doctrine with no ability to assess individual pets or clients. Do not out your faith in them. Nature did not intend us to neuter everything, but it meant all to breed and reproduce which is commonly a problem. I would advise neutering but it is not required in all cases. HTH
Ta for that. Kinda' as we thought.We've had 5 male dogs before, 2 rescues that were 'intact' and had issues with other male dogs, the three we've had from pups were neutered when the vet suggested, (can't remember what age - long time ago), but having extensively researched it seems that later is much better. It was only that our vet said 6 months that we thought we'd look into it, as we thought that way too young. Maybe time to change vet methinks!
(Shame we aren't in Avondale - a bit further north!)
Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 16th September 15:52
GetCarter said:
RobXjcoupe said:
What's your reason to have the dog neutered at such a young age?
Our vet suggested 6 months. But we are inclined to leave it at least 3 more months (as per the advice of our friend - also a vet).There obvious advantages and disadvantages to neutering, we've read shed loads of articles and have decided to have it done. Both vets agree on that.
Bigger dogs do seem to need their bits for longer and I know not a vets point of view but imagine a human having bits and bobs removed because we feel it's not needed. Hard to explain really but my current two male dogs are both intact and there isn't any issues behaviour wise and it does leave the possibility of a future son or daughter of.
Behaviour issues can be from both male and female dogs.
From experience I find a dog gets to 3-4 years of age and then chills out. I've seen male dogs with bits removed still doing the rumpy pumpy and being aggressive.
So my point of view is get the dog neutered once fully matured for maximum growth. Then decide to neuter.
I would only ever suggest 6 months if an extreme behavioural reason for it. (eg hypersexed, non fear based aggression)
Otherwise I'd wait til at least a year/15 months once matured.
Research is showing early neutering in larger breed dogs can affect bone growth.
As a side I can understand rescue centres doing early neutering for responsiblity
I had my male whippet done at 11 months. Unfortunately I am currently working in a clinic where the vets are happy/keen to do young neutering in large breed dogs (it is not really an issue for smaller breeds) so I am conflicted as it goes against what I feel is right.
And I don't understand the MUST BE done by 7 months as the certainly don't (again unless under rehoming policy from a rescue centre!!)
Otherwise I'd wait til at least a year/15 months once matured.
Research is showing early neutering in larger breed dogs can affect bone growth.
As a side I can understand rescue centres doing early neutering for responsiblity
I had my male whippet done at 11 months. Unfortunately I am currently working in a clinic where the vets are happy/keen to do young neutering in large breed dogs (it is not really an issue for smaller breeds) so I am conflicted as it goes against what I feel is right.
And I don't understand the MUST BE done by 7 months as the certainly don't (again unless under rehoming policy from a rescue centre!!)
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 17th September 12:34
bexVN said:
I would only ever suggest 6 months if an extreme behavioural reason for it. (eg hypersexed, non fear based aggression)
Otherwise I'd wait til at least a year/15 months once matured.
Research is showing early neutering in larger breed dogs can affect bone growth.
As a side I can understand rescue centres doing early neutering for responsiblity
I had my male whippet done at 11 months. Unfortunately I am currently working in a clinic where the vets are happy/keen to do young neutering in large breed dogs (it is not really an issue for smaller breeds) so I am conflicted as it goes against what I feel is right.
And I don't understand the MUST BE done by 7 months as the certainly don't (again unless under rehoming policy from a rescue centre!!)
Thanks. Great info and advice. I'm changing vets.Otherwise I'd wait til at least a year/15 months once matured.
Research is showing early neutering in larger breed dogs can affect bone growth.
As a side I can understand rescue centres doing early neutering for responsiblity
I had my male whippet done at 11 months. Unfortunately I am currently working in a clinic where the vets are happy/keen to do young neutering in large breed dogs (it is not really an issue for smaller breeds) so I am conflicted as it goes against what I feel is right.
And I don't understand the MUST BE done by 7 months as the certainly don't (again unless under rehoming policy from a rescue centre!!)
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 17th September 12:34
RobXjcoupe said:
GetCarter said:
RobXjcoupe said:
What's your reason to have the dog neutered at such a young age?
Our vet suggested 6 months. But we are inclined to leave it at least 3 more months (as per the advice of our friend - also a vet).There obvious advantages and disadvantages to neutering, we've read shed loads of articles and have decided to have it done. Both vets agree on that.
Bigger dogs do seem to need their bits for longer and I know not a vets point of view but imagine a human having bits and bobs removed because we feel it's not needed. Hard to explain really but my current two male dogs are both intact and there isn't any issues behaviour wise and it does leave the possibility of a future son or daughter of.
Behaviour issues can be from both male and female dogs.
From experience I find a dog gets to 3-4 years of age and then chills out. I've seen male dogs with bits removed still doing the rumpy pumpy and being aggressive.
So my point of view is get the dog neutered once fully matured for maximum growth. Then decide to neuter.
Had a lady the other day say she had mated her pug purely because she had been told it would calm her down!! She has not had the pug checked by any vet at all and to top it all has just got a puppy even though this dog is about 8 weeks pregnant. She hadn't considered the risk of cesarean or even worming the Mum, now she is worrying. This is what we deal with far too often unfortunately.
We had our Retriever done 2 weeks ago, he is 13.5 years old. The vet spotted lumps on his plums so off they came. We have had no problems with behaviour at all and he seems to be recovering well. His blood tests are all good. I don't understand the rush to chop them off without behavioural problems.
Perhaps its cheaper when they are younger £500+ and the insurance company do not cover castration.
Perhaps its cheaper when they are younger £500+ and the insurance company do not cover castration.
Big_Dog said:
We had our Retriever done 2 weeks ago, he is 13.5 years old. The vet spotted lumps on his plums so off they came. We have had no problems with behaviour at all and he seems to be recovering well. His blood tests are all good. I don't understand the rush to chop them off without behavioural problems.
Perhaps its cheaper when they are younger £500+ and the insurance company do not cover castration.
It is a lot cheaper, many insurances don't cover as it is classed as a routine procedure (unless undescended or similar) there are a few that do for older patients though. Perhaps its cheaper when they are younger £500+ and the insurance company do not cover castration.
Plus the ga risks etc do increase substantially as the patient goes into old age. I certainly wouldn't want to be routinely doing ga monitoring on elderly dogs for a procedure that could be done when they are younger and generally fitter!
Re above post on having it done young because they hadn't descended, that is reasonable, though there have been times when it has taken up to a year for testicle to descend and there is usually a couple years or so before cancer becomes a concern with undescended.
bexVN said:
RobXjcoupe said:
GetCarter said:
RobXjcoupe said:
What's your reason to have the dog neutered at such a young age?
Our vet suggested 6 months. But we are inclined to leave it at least 3 more months (as per the advice of our friend - also a vet).There obvious advantages and disadvantages to neutering, we've read shed loads of articles and have decided to have it done. Both vets agree on that.
Bigger dogs do seem to need their bits for longer and I know not a vets point of view but imagine a human having bits and bobs removed because we feel it's not needed. Hard to explain really but my current two male dogs are both intact and there isn't any issues behaviour wise and it does leave the possibility of a future son or daughter of.
Behaviour issues can be from both male and female dogs.
From experience I find a dog gets to 3-4 years of age and then chills out. I've seen male dogs with bits removed still doing the rumpy pumpy and being aggressive.
So my point of view is get the dog neutered once fully matured for maximum growth. Then decide to neuter.
Had a lady the other day say she had mated her pug purely because she had been told it would calm her down!! She has not had the pug checked by any vet at all and to top it all has just got a puppy even though this dog is about 8 weeks pregnant. She hadn't considered the risk of cesarean or even worming the Mum, now she is worrying. This is what we deal with far too often unfortunately.
My wife adores our 3 dogs and food is very particular and slightly different between our Lab, Dobe and Boston. Treats are specific also. The two larger dogs both are sensitive to grain and rapeseed oil. The Boston being small and eating just small amounts is easier on the budget with a high quality food.
Basically a lot more involved in buying a pup, loping it's bits off to calm him down and feeding him rubbish to give him the same issues as children fed too many E numbers :s
GetCarter said:
I should also like to point out that there are several (feral) male dogs in our village that will always attack intact dogs, but ignore neutered dogs. It's not just about 'our' dog, but the life he'll have in our community.
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