Please read before neutering your puppy

[bjh]

There has been a lot of discussion about when is the best time to have your Yorkie neutered (spay or castrate). I was a bit surprised to learn that some vets were doing this at a very young age. In researching the pros and cons of early neutering I found this article that I had posted a few days ago on one of the General Section threads but I also wanted to post it here for breeders that might not have seen it. While I definitely believe in neutering pets, I am just concerned about the proper timing on when this should be done. This article explains the long term health effects from neutering our beloved babies.

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

[Woogie Man]

Thanks for posting. This should give some pause to consider the pros and cons of spay/neuter. Early spay/neuter is being advised by so many now; even some PSA's on TV. It's still the way to go to prevent unwanted litters but maybe it shouldn't be considered so casually, at least at a very young age.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

Thanks for posting. This should give some pause to consider the pros and cons of spay/neuter. Early spay/neuter is being advised by so many now; even some PSA's on TV. It's still the way to go to prevent unwanted litters but maybe it shouldn't be considered so casually, at least at a very young age.

Thank you. Those are my thoughts also. We have to considered the over all health and well being of the dog. After reading the article and would never recommend early spay/neutering.

[Txgurl06]

Originally Posted by bjh

There has been a lot of discussion about when is the best time to have your Yorkie neutered (spay or castrate). I was a bit surprised to learn that some vets were doing this at a very young age. In researching the pros and cons of early neutering I found this article that I had posted a few days ago on one of the General Section threads but I also wanted to post it here for breeders that might not have seen it. While I definitely believe in neutering pets, I am just concerned about the proper timing on when this should be done. This article explains the long term health effects from neutering our beloved babies.

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

i read this after skoshi passed away while being neutered. In all my opinions about neutering I make sure you research because sometimes the cons outway the pros. This is the research i was talking about and i hoped yall would find!

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

This is a difficult topic... at least for me...

There's so much controversy - - so many pro's and con's...

From a "mommy" standpoint, where I would be considering the procedure for a family pet of my own... I think I would wait to spay / neuter...

From a breeder standpoint.... how can you?

In order to ASSURE that your pups are not going to "contribute to the already out of hand pet population problem" - end up in a deplorable puppy mill environment - and for the protection of your own lines - - it's really a "necessary evil" to spay / neuter your pups before placement.

There are far too many out there who don't give 2 cents about a "spay / neuter contract" and even with strict stipulations and thorough research of new parents - it won't always be honored... and in all honesty, we really have no way to FORCE someone to honor the contract once the pup has left our hands. (sure, you can take the puppy back... if you can FIND the owners who now have your baby and have defaulted on their contract... and even then, by the time you get through the court system to reclaim your puppy - he/she has already produced 4 new litters!!)

So in an ideal situation.... sure, the pups would be placed on a spay / neuter contract.... held very closely to their owners to avoid "accidental breedings" - while in wait of the "appropriate age" of which that contract should be fullfilled.... and every new pet owner everywhere, would be responsible enough to play their part...

Or.... breeders simply would not place their puppies until they are a year old or more... (beyond puberty) at which time they could safely be altered and everyone is happy... (except the breeder who has to make allowances to raise each and every one of their pups for over a year - - and the pups who fail to thrive because they have been inadequately socialized or have failed to bond with a family of their own while waiting to "age" - - and the new families who missed out on the entire "baby stage" of their new puppy because they were in a "holding tank" phase of development before they could be altered and then released to live their lives).

Neither scenario is likely to occur...

Which leaves us spaying and neutering our babies at 12 - 14 weeks of age BEFORE placing them in homes....

But are we causing them more harm than good - for the sake of preventing unwanted litters and lineage preservation?

It's a difficult decision... but I think it really comes down to percentages and odds.....

Perhaps one altered pup in a litter of five may endure ill affects from spay / neuter surgery.... but it's far more likely that four out of the five, if left in tact - will reproduce again and again within their first 2 years....

Early spay / neuter programs, to me - serve the greater good overall.... JMO

[bjh]

Mom2BabyNatalie....you make a good argument but statically, as breeders if we really screen our puppy buyers and withhold papers until proof of spay/neuter is provided I doubt very few would ever end up being bred. When you read about all the health problems that can come from early spay/neutering I wonder if potential puppy buyers would want to buy a puppy neutered at a very early age and risk having to deal with all those possible health issues the rest of the dogs life. I think I would think of the health and welfare of all the puppies in the litter.JMHO

[Woogie Man]

If the data is accurate, it makes it kind of ironic to health test breeding dogs for genetic issues to maintain healthy lines and then go do early spay/neuter and condemn at least a percentage of puppies (and their owners) to major health risks. This is one of those 'damned if you do....damned if you don't' issues. Do we now consider this issue in what makes one an ethical breeder?

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Originally Posted by bjh

Mom2BabyNatalie....you make a good argument but statically, as breeders if we really screen our puppy buyers and withhold papers until proof of spay/neuter is provided I doubt very few would ever end up being bred. When you read about all the health problems that can come from early spay/neutering I wonder if potential puppy buyers would want to buy a puppy neutered at a very early age and risk having to deal with all those possible health issues the rest of the dogs life. I think I would think of the health and welfare of all the puppies in the litter.JMHO

I understand and totally relate to what you're saying... personally, if I were the one purchasing a new baby, that would be one of my sincerest concerns and I would definitely wait to spay / neuter until a little later in life.

But again, I know you mention "withholding papers", but anyone who is immoral enough to violate a contract in the first place... probably isn't going to concern themselves with whether they have papers or not... you don't need registration to "make a buck".... especially with use of "a cute dog" for breeding "designers"...

On the other hand... the wonderfully responsible, well meaning, loving new pet owners.... have "accidents" every day... "oops matings"..... and there they are with babies asking you if an "accident" is a "violation of contract"... fact is, what are you going to do about it now?

I do completely understand both viewpoints.... but also have to agree with Woogie Man's "damned if you do, damned if you don't" statement....

As well, I'm anxious to see the response to "do we now consider this in what makes one an ethical breeder?".....

[jencar98]

After reading this article and others, I'm of the opinion that the benefits of early spaying outweigh the very small risks involved. Even the article linked to suggests the same may be true.

With early neutering there may be a slight increase (for some breeds, mostly larger breeds) of possible problems, this would keep me from early neutering in some cases.

If I were breeding though, any pet sold would be spayed/neutered before going to pet homes. After witnessing what irresponsible breeding brings, there is no way I would contribute to the pet overpopulation problem by allowing pet buyers to breed.......whether by "mistake" or intentionally.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

If the data is accurate, it makes it kind of ironic to health test breeding dogs for genetic issues to maintain healthy lines and then go do early spay/neuter and condemn at least a percentage of puppies (and their owners) to major health risks. This is one of those 'damned if you do....damned if you don't' issues. Do we now consider this issue in what makes one an ethical breeder?

I think health screening is a different issue. Breeders health screen because they want to eliminate any inheritable bad traits or conditions that can be passed to the offspring. From reading the article it seems that early spay/neutering can increase the chances of a number of serious heath issues that the dog would not encounter if they were not spay/neutered at a very young age. So those breeders that advocate early neutering and call those that don't unethical better reconsider. How would a breeder feel if they have their pups neutered at a early age and those pups grow up with all kinds of health problems and then the puppy buyers will blame it on the breeder. You are right....you're damned if you do and your damned if you don't. Those that think breeding is easy....think again....we are all still learning.

[mypreciouspups]

Originally Posted by bjh

Mom2BabyNatalie....you make a good argument but statically, as breeders if we really screen our puppy buyers and withhold papers until proof of spay/neuter is provided I doubt very few would ever end up being bred. When you read about all the health problems that can come from early spay/neutering I wonder if potential puppy buyers would want to buy a puppy neutered at a very early age and risk having to deal with all those possible health issues the rest of the dogs life. I think I would think of the health and welfare of all the puppies in the litter.JMHO

this is what I am thinking also... many many breeders now spay/nueter the puppies before they leave their home.. maybe this is just too darn early.. interesting thread.. thanks.. anne

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

This is a difficult topic... at least for me...

There's so much controversy - - so many pro's and con's...

From a "mommy" standpoint, where I would be considering the procedure for a family pet of my own... I think I would wait to spay / neuter...

From a breeder standpoint.... how can you?

In order to ASSURE that your pups are not going to "contribute to the already out of hand pet population problem" - end up in a deplorable puppy mill environment - and for the protection of your own lines - - it's really a "necessary evil" to spay / neuter your pups before placement.

There are far too many out there who don't give 2 cents about a "spay / neuter contract" and even with strict stipulations and thorough research of new parents - it won't always be honored... and in all honesty, we really have no way to FORCE someone to honor the contract once the pup has left our hands. (sure, you can take the puppy back... if you can FIND the owners who now have your baby and have defaulted on their contract... and even then, by the time you get through the court system to reclaim your puppy - he/she has already produced 4 new litters!!)

So in an ideal situation.... sure, the pups would be placed on a spay / neuter contract.... held very closely to their owners to avoid "accidental breedings" - while in wait of the "appropriate age" of which that contract should be fullfilled.... and every new pet owner everywhere, would be responsible enough to play their part...

Or.... breeders simply would not place their puppies until they are a year old or more... (beyond puberty) at which time they could safely be altered and everyone is happy... (except the breeder who has to make allowances to raise each and every one of their pups for over a year - - and the pups who fail to thrive because they have been inadequately socialized or have failed to bond with a family of their own while waiting to "age" - - and the new families who missed out on the entire "baby stage" of their new puppy because they were in a "holding tank" phase of development before they could be altered and then released to live their lives).

Neither scenario is likely to occur...

Which leaves us spaying and neutering our babies at 12 - 14 weeks of age BEFORE placing them in homes....

But are we causing them more harm than good - for the sake of preventing unwanted litters and lineage preservation?

It's a difficult decision... but I think it really comes down to percentages and odds.....

Perhaps one altered pup in a litter of five may endure ill affects from spay / neuter surgery.... but it's far more likely that four out of the five, if left in tact - will reproduce again and again within their first 2 years....

Early spay / neuter programs, to me - serve the greater good overall.... JMO

Perhaps this is regional but vets in my area would refuse to neuter a small breed puppy at 12-14 weeks due to the puppy's weight. Large breeds, yes...not the little ones.

I have talked to one breeder who has her buyers deposit refundable fee of $500 to insure puppy is indeed neutered later.

[topknot]

My vet will not do a spay/neuter till 5 mnths of age due to bone development. Also I have a full blood panel done before any surgery! It will give you more information at the time before surgery and whether it should be done. It is worth the 75.00 to have it done.
T.

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

I have talked to one breeder who has her buyers deposit refundable fee of $500 to insure puppy is indeed neutered later.

Yes, I have heard of others who do this as well.... and I am now planning to do the same.... this gives the pup more time to develop and an "incentive" for the new owner to comply with the spay / neuter contract.

A reasonable resolve until more information can be obtained in the matter, I think.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Perhaps this is regional but vets in my area would refuse to neuter a small breed puppy at 12-14 weeks due to the puppy's weight. Large breeds, yes...not the little ones.

I have talked to one breeder who has her buyers deposit refundable fee of $500 to insure puppy is indeed neutered later.

$500 isn't much to someone that is determined to breed the dog. Think about it...one yorkie puppy can go for three times that much.

Still better to spay and neuter early in my opinion