[Suzie]

Hi everyone I am new to this forum. I was wondering and I am serious I need to know. I have an appointment to have Sevy my Pit/Rottie mix to be nueterered next month. I have been told about all the reasons this is a good thing. I now need to hear from some of you the reasons it is not a good thing. Can you tell me please so I make an informed decision.

[ayobreezie]

I've read a few articles on it.. and I've swayed towards not neutering until at least 14 months of age.. because neutering messes up their proper development, if done younger..

[Miakoda]

Originally Posted by ayobreezie I've read a few articles on it.. and I've swayed towards not neutering until at least 14 months of age.. because neutering messes up their proper development, if done younger..

Neutering does not mess up development. It can cause male dogs to be taller than normal (as testosterone is what triggers the growth plates to close and neutering drastically decreases testosterone levels thus the growth plates close later than normal). The difference that may or may not occur in muscle growth and development is hardly noticed by an inexperienced dog owner....if noticed at all. People forget that genetics plays the largest role in what your dog will look like as an adult...not a spay or neuter procedure.

However, with all surgeries there is an anesthesia risk. However, I've never personally seen a healthy animal have a bad experience under anesthesia. The animals that don't do well are those with cardiac problems (usually unknown & undiagnosed ones) and pulmonary issues. However, I know all of the clinics I've been in monitor heartrate from the moment the dog is put under anesthesia to the time the dog wakes up.

Also, there is always a risk of infection. This risk is also a low risk, but it does exist. Anytime there is a puncuture through the skin, bacteria has an opportunity to cause havoc. But again, most clinics I've seen have been as sterile as sterile gets and all instruments are sterilized in packs in an autoclave.

The vast majority of problems that we see resulting from a spay or neuter are seromas (where blood & fluid gathers in a pocket under the incision site) due to the fact that owners fail to follow the vet's pos-op orders. These people allow their dogs to continuously lick the incision, to run and play instead of limiting activity, and fail to keep the site clean.

[CynthiaATL]

Originally Posted by Miakoda Neutering does not mess up development. It can cause male dogs to be taller than normal (as testosterone is what triggers the growth plates to close and neutering drastically decreases testosterone levels thus the growth plates close later than normal). The difference that may or may not occur in muscle growth and development is hardly noticed by an inexperienced dog owner....if noticed at all. People forget that genetics plays the largest role in what your dog will look like as an adult...not a spay or neuter procedure. However, with all surgeries there is an anesthesia risk. However, I've never personally seen a healthy animal have a bad experience under anesthesia. The animals that don't do well are those with cardiac problems (usually unknown & undiagnosed ones) and pulmonary issues. However, I know all of the clinics I've been in monitor heartrate from the moment the dog is put under anesthesia to the time the dog wakes up. Also, there is always a risk of infection. This risk is also a low risk, but it does exist. Anytime there is a puncuture through the skin, bacteria has an opportunity to cause havoc. But again, most clinics I've seen have been as sterile as sterile gets and all instruments are sterilized in packs in an autoclave. The vast majority of problems that we see resulting from a spay or neuter are seromas (where blood & fluid gathers in a pocket under the incision site) due to the fact that owners fail to follow the vet's pos-op orders. These people allow their dogs to continuously lick the incision, to run and play instead of limiting activity, and fail to keep the site clean.

Pretty much covered it all. If you are worried about the risk of being under I would opt for bloodwork. And get an IV Catheter so there is easy acess to the vein(just in case)

And if you are not breeding, or showing your animal there really is no reason for your dog to be intact. The pros out weigh the cons IMO.

[Suzie]

Thanks for all the feedback. He is a pit/Rottie mix he is 60 lbs and he is 22 inches tall. He is 7 months old. Is now about a good age to have him nuetered. Its funny he is my first male I have always had females so spaying was always done. I am just learning about the Pit. He looks and acts more Pit than Rott. He is a fast learner and loves life.

[Madeleinemom]

IMHO, now would be a great time.

I'm also very much in favor of a pre-op blood panel and general check-up - to make sure that you have no underlying health issues that may create a surgical (or post surgical) challenge.

In recent years, we have had our two females spayed, as well as our male foster dog, plus one other male foster.

All came through with flying colors; I found that the less invasive castration of a male dog was easier on my nerves than the more 'obvious' female spay.

[fearlessknight]

being of the breed......I am afraid I see absolutely NOTHING bad about it....I only see more of a reason to do so! Do not miss that appointment!

And ...welcome!

[Suzie]

I will ask my vet about the pre op testing... thanks for letting me know about that and I am having him microchipped at the same time.

[littledozer24]

Our Lugz, pictured in avatar, is 5 months old now. He will be going to get neutered on March 12. There is quit a back up at the clinic here in town.

Before Lugz, any dog that we have had has been female.

My question is once he is neutered, will or how will his demeanor change?

[Miakoda]

My question is once he is neutered, will or how will his demeanor change?

It won't change. Now, he won't have all the sexual tension that is telling him to mate and mate now to preserve his genetics and he won't be going nuts at a dog in heat almost 2 miles away, but other than that he'll be the same dog that you dropped off that morning.

[littledozer24]

Thanks!!! He is so lovable; sometimes he doesn't know which one of us that he wants to follow around the house and no matter who leaves he whines.

Our only problem is that he has become a little dog aggressive in the past month. We are working with him. He will go to puppy classes starting on Feb. 23rd. But he goes to the pet store about twice a week; usually at least once a week he goes to one of the lumber stores; and he runs with me about 5 days a week. He ignores some of the dogs in the neighborhood where we run and others he would like to go through the fence to get. Any advice would be welcome. I'm sure this is address elsewhere but I'm trying to catch up on the reading as I joined yesterday.

[Miakoda]

Originally Posted by littledozer24 Thanks!!! He is so lovable; sometimes he doesn't know which one of us that he wants to follow around the house and no matter who leaves he whines. Our only problem is that he has become a little dog aggressive in the past month. We are working with him. He will go to puppy classes starting on Feb. 23rd. But he goes to the pet store about twice a week; usually at least once a week he goes to one of the lumber stores; and he runs with me about 5 days a week. He ignores some of the dogs in the neighborhood where we run and others he would like to go through the fence to get. Any advice would be welcome. I'm sure this is address elsewhere but I'm trying to catch up on the reading as I joined yesterday.

Defintely read up. Dog aggression runs within the "pit bull" breeds and pretty much all bulldog breeds and all terrier breeds. However, it is found amongst individual dogs in each & every breed.

If you start a new thread about your dog, we would love offer some suggestions on how to make your dog an obedient member of society. But as DA is a genetic trait, you cannot train it out.....you can manage it.

[RottNPitLvr]

There have been recent studies that have come out that feel that spaying and neutering can cause long term health risks.

At some point, most of us with an interest in dogs will have to consider whether or not to spay / neuter our pet. Tradition holds that the benefits of doing so at an early age outweigh the risks. Often, tradition holds sway in the decision-making process even after countervailing evidence has accumulated. Ms Sanborn has reviewed the veterinary medical literature in an exhaustive and scholarly treatise, attempting to unravel the complexities of the subject. More than 50 peer-reviewed papers were examined to assess the health impacts of spay / neuter in female and male dogs, respectively. One cannot ignore the findings of increased risk from osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, hypothyroidism, and other less frequently occurring diseases associated with neutering male dogs. It would be irresponsible of the veterinary profession and the pet owning community to fail to weigh the relative costs and benefits of neutering on the animal’s health and well-being. The decision for females may be more complex, further emphasizing the need for individualized veterinary medical decisions, not standard operating procedures for all patients. No sweeping generalizations are implied in this review. Rather, the author asks us to consider all the health and disease information available as individual animals are evaluated. Then, the best decisions should be made accounting for gender, age, breed, and even the specific conditions under which the long-term care, housing and training of the animal will occur. This important review will help veterinary medical care providers as well as pet owners make informed decisions. Who could ask for more? Larry S. Katz, PhD Associate Professor and Chair Animal Sciences Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Read the entire twelve page study:

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongT...uterInDogs.pdf

My mastiff is still intact because I feel it is best for her and her long term health... She will never be bred and I take measures of safety when she comes into heat...

I feel spay and neuter is urged so mightily is because their are quite a bit of people who can't/aren't responsible enough to handle a intact dog, in which case I encourage spaying and neutering. Accidental pregnancy's are unbecoming.

[Pit Bulldog]

I am gonna say something really crazy!!!!! Everyone hold on tight. Here it goes!!!!

Because he is a mixbreed dog I would suggest that you neuter him. You are not going to breed him anyways. He will be a bit more mellow. But he may gain weight if you dont watch his diet and exercise.

As a side note there is a product called neuticles. Basically they are silicone testicles that are implanted after a dog is neutered. So if you feel bad about him looking down there and missing his parts you can have those implanted.

[annji]

As a side note there is a product called neuticles. Basically they are silicone testicles that are implanted after a dog is neutered.

Please tell me it's not true. giggle giggle. Okay sorry for that moment of immaturity.
I understand there is some risk involved with neutering your dog, BUT how much at risk will he be if he remains intact and there is a female in heat close by? I recently lived next door to someone with an intact female dog. It was a nightmare. Males dogs I had never seen would show-up and stay for 3-4 days at a time. There were too many dog fights to count and in one instance 2 dogs were killed by another.

[Pit Bulldog]

Originally Posted by annji Please tell me it's not true. giggle giggle.

Its true oh yes it is true. Here is the website http://www.neuticles.com/index1.html

My bitch is in heat now but nobody is showing up. Not yet at least. She is flagging so I suppose any minute now I am gonna have a party on my porch.

[Shes Got Heart]

Suzie do you have a picture of your dog? I've never seen a pit/rott mix before.

[Rai_77]

Originally Posted by annji Please tell me it's not true. giggle giggle. Okay sorry for that moment of immaturity. I understand there is some risk involved with neutering your dog, BUT how much at risk will he be if he remains intact and there is a female in heat close by? I recently lived next door to someone with an intact female dog. It was a nightmare. Males dogs I had never seen would show-up and stay for 3-4 days at a time. There were too many dog fights to count and in one instance 2 dogs were killed by another.

Well, for one, you can't get testicular cancer if you don't have testicles.

[bahamutt99]

I've heard of increased risk of hip problems and the like, but in fairness, those are related to early neutering. If I had a dog that I had no intent to breed or show, I would probably give him until a year and then neuter him.

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

[CoolHandJean]

I figured this would be the best place to ask. I plan on calling the Vet on Monday to schedule an appt. to get Tess fixed. What do I need to know? The last dog I got fixed was Cuddles, but I was in 4th grade, and don't remember anything about it...How many days will she have to stay "calm" or resting? Anything I should know that many people forget? Thanks for the advice.