Do I really have to neuter our dog?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:




Spaying and neutering is PRIMARILY to avoid making more unwanted puppies and euthanasia, OP. An accidental pregnancy can happen in a few seconds.

Practically, it’s much easier to board your dog if they’re fixed.

I own an un-neutered stud who is supposed to better his breed and contribute to lines free of heritable genetic disorders. It’s a ton of responsibility that most people are not prepared for.

Get your dog neutered at 2, when they’re fully adult.
Early spay and neuters is very bad for dogs’ long-term health.

uh, no. Females who aren’t spayed before age 2 have a significantly higher risk of breast cancer. My cat was a neglected stray who wasn’t spayed before two Anna she has nasty tumors on her mammary chain when she was ten. Dogs have the same risk.

So basically they are finding that it's better for joints and drastically lowers the risk of bone cancers if you wait until the female is fully developed at around 2. You just need to decide which risk you are more comfortable with. Apparently mammary tumors are easier to diagnose and treat than bone cancer.

[Anonymous]

Some of you are just being ridiculous. Do you really believe that unneutered dogs are just these horny, humpy, and aggressive monsters who are constantly covered in their own ejaculate and on the prowl? My dog is still intact and he is the most chill dog that I have ever owned. He has never tried to escape and the only time he has ever been around a female dog in heat, he was just very interested in smelling her. I was able to quickly get his attention back to me and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannot believe so many people think this is necessary and actually benefits the dog. No, it’s a huge money maker for vets. The primary reason to neuter is profit.

If you’re an UMC family, you’re not letting your dog run. No, the dog is not impregnating other dogs. That’s crazy. Do you all live in neighborhoods where dogs run wild?

Would you recommend the same procedure for men? Would you say there is a health benefit? Of course not. Dogs are treated like kids. Mask up those kids and neuter those dogs.

OP here. I did not mention this in my post, but this has also been in the back of my mind. Yes, we are an UMC family and live in a large suburb/ city area. Dogs do not "run wild" here.

I appreciate everyone's comments. Lots to think about!

Scr$w you.....I am a vet and take huge offense to this. Neutering is not a huge money maker for us. As a matter of fact, we discount the procedure a HUGE amount and barely make any money on it at all because we want it to get done. With the exception of the purebred dogs we see, most animals are rescues so are already neutered or spayed.

Thanks for the faith in my profession.....so hoping you are not one of my clients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannot believe so many people think this is necessary and actually benefits the dog. No, it’s a huge money maker for vets. The primary reason to neuter is profit.

If you’re an UMC family, you’re not letting your dog run. No, the dog is not impregnating other dogs. That’s crazy. Do you all live in neighborhoods where dogs run wild?

Would you recommend the same procedure for men? Would you say there is a health benefit? Of course not. Dogs are treated like kids. Mask up those kids and neuter those dogs.

OP here. I did not mention this in my post, but this has also been in the back of my mind. Yes, we are an UMC family and live in a large suburb/ city area. Dogs do not "run wild" here.

I appreciate everyone's comments. Lots to think about!

Scr$w you.....I am a vet and take huge offense to this. Neutering is not a huge money maker for us. As a matter of fact, we discount the procedure a HUGE amount and barely make any money on it at all because we want it to get done. With the exception of the purebred dogs we see, most animals are rescues so are already neutered or spayed.

Thanks for the faith in my profession.....so hoping you are not one of my clients.

Sorry, but I don’t believe for a minute you’re really a veterinarian

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, and of course, I hear this all the time. "Be responsible." But what if the dog is not out of our control? We live in a city and he takes walks with us and runs in our back yard. That is it.

Exhibit A of a shitty, selfish, irresponsible dog owner. Holy cow OP.

NP. How is this Exhibit A? Please explain what you are talking about. If the dog is always in the owner's control, he is locked in the backyard or walked on a leash, then what is the problem? Who is this irresponsible? Ho is this shitty or selfish behavior? You need to explain what you mean. What you have stated does nothing to explain anything and just attaches a label that may not be warranted.

Because dogs always get out. It’s flat out irresponsible. Seriously, have you and OP been magicked here from the year 1924 or something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, most of the unneutered dogs I see belong to lower-income men who equate their dogs’ virility with their own. It’s distinctly a class and gender marker.

I've noticed that a lot of people fret over neutering male dogs but don't hesitate to spay their females. It's amazing how far the patriarchy reaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, most of the unneutered dogs I see belong to lower-income men who equate their dogs’ virility with their own. It’s distinctly a class and gender marker.

I've noticed that a lot of people fret over neutering male dogs but don't hesitate to spay their females. It's amazing how far the patriarchy reaches.

It really is of note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a labradoodle puppy who is 13 months old. He is the sweetest dog and still, even at over a year, is not showing any signs of aggression or other actions that typically lead people to neuter their dogs. Seriously considering not having him neutered as it seems like unnecessary surgery. I don't anticipate that we would ever have to leave him in a day care or boarding situation that would require this. Any thoughts on this?

Be responsible and just do it.

[Anonymous]

OP I am thinking the same things. I have a large breed and have had almost two years to think about this as you are not supposed to neuter before then. My guy is happy/sweet and a lot of fun. He doesn't do the leg humping and really only marks outside. He is not aggressive at all. I too am not worried about unwanted pregnancy for other dogs because we have a large fenced in yard and we are with him ie we don't just let him out. Anyway-my worry is that neutering will change his personality. I have read about neutering causing aggression after and I have to think it has to be stressful wondering where your male parts are. It feels mean. Also, we have a dog that his coat will change after neuter. A male neuter coat is very coarse. So I am wondering what to do. I almost think the waiting two years makes you think this through more. And people are right that if it was a girl then you do think differently because the heat situation can be a mess. Anyway love hearing a variety of perspectives. Also, for those wanting to neuter as a behavior thing. Our dog works with a trainer who says you do not neuter to improve behavior. That is a losing game. Maybe 1 out of 10 dogs get better because usually the aggression is anxiety and not testosterone. Trainer says the neutering really should be considered to prevent unwanted pregnancy and that is about it. Maybe for testicular cancer later but you have to balance with bone cancer if you neuter early. It is a a lot to think about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I am thinking the same things. I have a large breed and have had almost two years to think about this as you are not supposed to neuter before then. My guy is happy/sweet and a lot of fun. He doesn't do the leg humping and really only marks outside. He is not aggressive at all. I too am not worried about unwanted pregnancy for other dogs because we have a large fenced in yard and we are with him ie we don't just let him out. Anyway-my worry is that neutering will change his personality. I have read about neutering causing aggression after and [b]I have to think it has to be stressful wondering where your male parts are. It feels mean. Also, we have a dog that his coat will change after neuter. A male neuter coat is very coarse. So I am wondering what to do. I almost think the waiting two years makes you think this through more. And people are right that if it was a girl then you do think differently because the heat situation can be a mess. Anyway love hearing a variety of perspectives. Also, for those wanting to neuter as a behavior thing. Our dog works with a trainer who says you do not neuter to improve behavior. That is a losing game. Maybe 1 out of 10 dogs get better because usually the aggression is anxiety and not testosterone. Trainer says the neutering really should be considered to prevent unwanted pregnancy and that is about it. Maybe for testicular cancer later but you have to balance with bone cancer if you neuter early. It is a a lot to think about.

Uh, wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of you are just being ridiculous. Do you really believe that unneutered dogs are just these horny, humpy, and aggressive monsters who are constantly covered in their own ejaculate and on the prowl? My dog is still intact and he is the most chill dog that I have ever owned. He has never tried to escape and the only time he has ever been around a female dog in heat, he was just very interested in smelling her. I was able to quickly get his attention back to me and move on.

Yes. I had a dog like that growing up. My parents refused to neuter him. Finally, after he went for my jugular vein while I was petting him, did they finally do it. He was a 30 lb terrier. And he was mean!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannot believe so many people think this is necessary and actually benefits the dog. No, it’s a huge money maker for vets. The primary reason to neuter is profit.

If you’re an UMC family, you’re not letting your dog run. No, the dog is not impregnating other dogs. That’s crazy. Do you all live in neighborhoods where dogs run wild?

Would you recommend the same procedure for men? Would you say there is a health benefit? Of course not. Dogs are treated like kids. Mask up those kids and neuter those dogs.

OP here. I did not mention this in my post, but this has also been in the back of my mind. Yes, we are an UMC family and live in a large suburb/ city area. Dogs do not "run wild" here.

I appreciate everyone's comments. Lots to think about!

Scr$w you.....I am a vet and take huge offense to this. Neutering is not a huge money maker for us. As a matter of fact, we discount the procedure a HUGE amount and barely make any money on it at all because we want it to get done. With the exception of the purebred dogs we see, most animals are rescues so are already neutered or spayed.

Thanks for the faith in my profession.....so hoping you are not one of my clients.

Sorry, but I don’t believe for a minute you’re really a veterinarian

Then tell me what I have been doing for the past three decades???? Go ahead...I'll wait......

What I recommend for my clients and patients has little to do with making money and all to do what is in the pet's best interests. The studies that discuss delayed spay and neuter are extremely limited in scope. This is a HUGE topic in the profession....and there is no one correct answer. Spay early? Easier surgery. Spay late? Increased chances of mammary cancer, risk of pyo, harder surgery. (And just for the dingo that doesn't think I am a vet - a pyo is short for a potentially fatal infection of the uterus called a PYOMETRA) Neuter early - possible decreased effects of sex hormones on bones and ligaments. Neuter later - harder surgery, behavior issues.

There are benefits and risks to both choices. Do your research....

(So do you still not think I am a vet???)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you are just being ridiculous. Do you really believe that unneutered dogs are just these horny, humpy, and aggressive monsters who are constantly covered in their own ejaculate and on the prowl? My dog is still intact and he is the most chill dog that I have ever owned. He has never tried to escape and the only time he has ever been around a female dog in heat, he was just very interested in smelling her. I was able to quickly get his attention back to me and move on.

Yes. I had a dog like that growing up. My parents refused to neuter him. Finally, after he went for my jugular vein while I was petting him, did they finally do it. He was a 30 lb terrier. And he was mean!

It sounds like he had no training or boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannot believe so many people think this is necessary and actually benefits the dog. No, it’s a huge money maker for vets. The primary reason to neuter is profit.

If you’re an UMC family, you’re not letting your dog run. No, the dog is not impregnating other dogs. That’s crazy. Do you all live in neighborhoods where dogs run wild?

Would you recommend the same procedure for men? Would you say there is a health benefit? Of course not. Dogs are treated like kids. Mask up those kids and neuter those dogs.

OP here. I did not mention this in my post, but this has also been in the back of my mind. Yes, we are an UMC family and live in a large suburb/ city area. Dogs do not "run wild" here.

I appreciate everyone's comments. Lots to think about!

Scr$w you.....I am a vet and take huge offense to this. Neutering is not a huge money maker for us. As a matter of fact, we discount the procedure a HUGE amount and barely make any money on it at all because we want it to get done. With the exception of the purebred dogs we see, most animals are rescues so are already neutered or spayed.

Thanks for the faith in my profession.....so hoping you are not one of my clients.

Sorry, but I don’t believe for a minute you’re really a veterinarian

Then tell me what I have been doing for the past three decades???? Go ahead...I'll wait......

What I recommend for my clients and patients has little to do with making money and all to do what is in the pet's best interests. The studies that discuss delayed spay and neuter are extremely limited in scope. This is a HUGE topic in the profession....and there is no one correct answer. Spay early? Easier surgery. Spay late? Increased chances of mammary cancer, risk of pyo, harder surgery. (And just for the dingo that doesn't think I am a vet - a pyo is short for a potentially fatal infection of the uterus called a PYOMETRA) Neuter early - possible decreased effects of sex hormones on bones and ligaments. Neuter later - harder surgery, behavior issues.

There are benefits and risks to both choices. Do your research....

(So do you still not think I am a vet???)

Thank you for this informative response. What is your advice for those of us with larger dogs who have waited until 2 years old to neuter (based on the advice from vets) but are having second thoughts on going through with it because we are not experiencing any bad behaviors and the dog is not at risk of impregnating a female? Especially since neutering older dogs is a more difficult procedure with more bruising and longer recovery times. I am not the OP, but I am in a similar position.

[Anonymous]

I tell them to do their research....he is full grown now, so surgery wont get any more difficult anatomically than it is right now and he is likely not an anesthetic risk at that age. Behavior issues, prostatitis, impregnation, etc...are the biggest reasons to do it. After surgery he will need to be kept quiet and not be allowed to run freely for at least a week or so. Talk with your doctor. Or bring him to another doctor if you want a second opinion.