When to neuter?

MrsElle

MrsElle

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Of course I will consult my vet, but just wondered what the general consensus of opinion is.

Pup is 4 months old and his testicles have descended. What is the recommended age for neutering, or is there not one and it is each individual vets preference?
 
Unless there is a specific problem that may be aided by castration current thinking is actually to leave male dogs entire, or at least for longer than previously recommended. I'm hoping someone will link to the studies as I don't have them bookmarked on my phone...
 
Um I don't think it is actually - castrating still removes unwanted puppies from the equation so should be still promoted on that basis.
Health wise it is 50:50 really for boys - a small dog like a jack russel is probably getting towards full growth at 6-10 months so would be absoloutely fine to do then. A big dog e.g rottie etc you would leave until later.
Basically- after 6 months if he starts showing humping/territorial behaviour etc. best to castrate asap before it becomes a behaviour rather than just hormones!
 
I was told that if my vet advised to neuter at under a year I should change my Vet. Having done some research on this I'm going to leave mine (9m old Vizsla) entire. Our old boy kept his bits all of his life (until we lost im at 15) and it never caused an issue.
 
The one thing is enlarged prostates are very common in un neutered males - are you prepared to neuter a 10/11/13 year old dog if this becomes a problem?
 
I've never known a dog with this problem and will take my chance. Vizslas are one of the breeds highlighted as being at increased risk of hemangiosarcoma, a cancer whose incidence increases with castration. Also uncastrated dogs are at less risk of dementia and hyperthyroidism.
As with every decision it's best to do some research and make an informed decision.
For me there's not much that Mother Nature gets wrong and I'd rather leave my dog as nature intended provided it's causing no problems.
 
Jack was done at 5 months (retained testicle which was causing issues)....he's now an over height Corgi lol. Personally, with boys it would be after a year, girls I would rather get done before their first season after our last two.
 
absoloutely - hence for male dogs health wise its 50/50 but you need to ask if you are prepared to neuter an older dog if he gets a problem where one of the prime effective treatments is neutering eg. enlarged prostate or anal gland tumour or testicular cancer or if it might be easier to put a young (1-2yr old ) dog through a ~GA and op - the benefits are much clearer for a bitch in terms of pyometra etc. but I would not leave a dog entire long term personally (I am country living though so also avoids wandering for me!)
 
I wouldn't neuter until a dog was mentally and physically mature, if I were to neuter at all. Maturity ranges in age in different breeds. What breed is your boy?
 
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