Dog neutering.

[Jasandjules]

bexVN said:

I don't like it. I know recovery is meant to be quicker and surgery easier I just don't like the idea of anaesthetising such a young critter for routine surgery.

I don't like the idea of removing hormones before they have gotten off the ground. Do we really know genetically speaking what impact it can have on the growth and long term health of the animal? At least once they have had a season they have had some hormones.

[bexVN]

Jasandjules said:

bexVN said:

I don't like it. I know recovery is meant to be quicker and surgery easier I just don't like the idea of anaesthetising such a young critter for routine surgery.

I don't like the idea of removing hormones before they have gotten off the ground. Do we really know genetically speaking what impact it can have on the growth and long term health of the animal? At least once they have had a season they have had some hormones.

I agree.

[Anthony Micallef]

Some more info for you to consider http://www.doglistener.co.uk/neutering/spaying_neu...

[bexVN]

I agree with most of what this guy is saying esp re early neutering and as a practice we advise all of the reasons he says re not neutering early, unfortunately many more practices don't.

I do think he is to simplistic re the health risks of not neutering. I see far more entire females with pyometra than spayed females with incontinence.

I didn't see any mention of adenocarcinomas seen in older entire males.

[silverback mike]

Bex, I'll keep you posted after chip gets chopped on Friday. At the moment he is an enormous thing full of testosterone

[bexVN]

silverback mike said:

Bex, I'll keep you posted after chip gets chopped on Friday. At the moment he is an enormous thing full of testosterone

Thanks, there is no hard or fast rule and each individual should be assessed and this is what we try and do so it could be that we would also say this is right for Chip (we have a vet nurse who is a behaviourist and very up to date on neutering combined with behaviour)

Unfortunately the 6 month chop still seems to be followed by many and it's not always right (obviously we can only advise clients, it's there decision in the end.

[BlackVanDyke]

cal216610 said:

boy said:

You need Bex VN, personally I'd have the lab spayed and the basset hound when its old enough. Just watch the lab doesn't pile on the weight though as they can do this easilly anyway.

Thank so far all,

We are also concerned with Megan ( Bassett ) as they can take much longer to mature than other breeds and would like to know at what age would be best for her, if she decides.

You don't need to wait until they've reached physical maturity. Research in the US shows that both dogs and bhes can be neutered from 8 weeks without an increased risk of harm, or any significant change to the dog's final size/weight/appearance. (Tomcats neutered as young kittens are a bit less 'jowly' but that's all)

In particular doing a spay before a bh has had her first season reduces the risk of excess bleeding quite a bit - stands to reason, uterus develops more and more blood supply once it's in use!

[bexVN]

BlackVanDyke said:

cal216610 said:

boy said:

You need Bex VN, personally I'd have the lab spayed and the basset hound when its old enough. Just watch the lab doesn't pile on the weight though as they can do this easilly anyway.

Thank so far all,

We are also concerned with Megan ( Bassett ) as they can take much longer to mature than other breeds and would like to know at what age would be best for her, if she decides.

You don't need to wait until they've reached physical maturity. Research in the US shows that both dogs and bhes can be neutered from 8 weeks without an increased risk of harm, or any significant change to the dog's final size/weight/appearance. (Tomcats neutered as young kittens are a bit less 'jowly' but that's all)

In particular doing a spay before a bh has had her first season reduces the risk of excess bleeding quite a bit - stands to reason, uterus develops more and more blood supply once it's in use!

I just do not agree with neutering so young. Pre season spaying is showing to cause behavioural issues in certain dogs and does increase the risk of urinary incontinence especially in certain breeds.

And a copetent vat who mid season spays will rarely get haemorrhage complications, the high risk of haemorrhage occurs if you try to spay right near when a season is due. Not risk free I know but I do not believe putting 8 week old animals under anaesthetic is risk free either. Neonates and GA's should not mix unless necessary.

I will have real problems at the idea of routinely neutering 8 week old animals. I'm glad we don't do it routinely in general practice yet.

It's not just growth that is the concern it is the behavioural side of early neutering that needs to be considered.

I do see the potential necessity for very early neutering where you are trying to control stray populations though.

[gog440]

cal216610 said:

Thanks for that,
Our Bassett had her first season at 5months ( we were very surprised ) but were concerned as to being told and read that they are slow to mature and that it would be best to wait a couple of years.
We are Leeds / Bradford area, can anyone recommend a good vet for this we do like our vet in saltaire but he comes across as dithery ( old guy but knows his stuff ) he looks after our birds well and tortoise ( with help from text books on his desk ) and that seems to put off the OH.
Thanks again all, OH wants the best for our girls but the mass of info on the Internet is giving her all sorts of doubts.

My vets are very good (and reasonably priced too) and not a million miles away from you, Richmond and Bone in Dewsbury. Not by a long way a flashy looking place and can be incredibly busy but they seem to know their stuff.