Neurotic yorkie mom needs your advise and direction..pls answer

[leipshen]

Hi everyone

I am here again..(have been a member for a long while) yet havent logged on for some time. I have a wonderful and precious little boy yorkie named "Biscuit". I know only you yorkie lovers can understand when I say that he is "My Life". I have owned him since he was 12 wks old and he is now 4 yrs old.

THIS IS MY QUESTION..MY GREATEST FEAR..

As I said my baby boy is now 4 yrs old. I HAVE NOT HAD HIM NEUTERED. i KNOW THIS IS WRONG..i KNOW YOU WILL TELL ME I AM IRRESPONSIBLE ..HOWEVER PLEASE HEAR ME OUT... I love this little dog (4 lbs) Soooo much..I am so afraid that if I get him neutered he may not wake up from the anesthesia. What would I do if this happened??? He is my baby..He is my happiness...I am a widow..my children are grown...it is just me and "Biscuit".

So..I was talking to a lady who lives close to me..she has Yorkies and seems to be kind of an expert on them..She told me if I dont neuter "Biscuit" he will die young from testicular problems..."OH my God" ..

I then thought that I would come here to ask any and all of you who know...Do I NEED to do this..IS IT WHAT IS BEST FOR MY BABY BOY.. he is healthy, happy, and everything to me. I am asking you, all who know...if the answer is yes...I need to have him neutered.. PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO GO ABOUT DOING EVERYTHING I NEED TO DO ...CONCERNING THE RIGHT VET..AND WHAT I NEED TO ASK FOR SO THAT HE CAN BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE...

I PRAY TO HEAR A RESPONSE FROM YOU WHO KNOW...OTHERWISE I FEEL I CAN NEVER TAKE THIS CHANCE WITH HIS LITTLE LIFE...

WHAT I AM ALSO SAYING IS THAT IF ANYONE COULD UNDERSTAND THIS NEUROTIC LOVE I HAVE FOR "BISCUIT" IT WOULD BE YOU YORKIE LOVERS HERE

I WILL BE CHECKING CONSTANTLY FOR YOUR DIRECTION

THANK YOU SO MUCH

PATTI ..(and Biscuit)

[gracielove]

First of all I think you will get a mixture of opinions on this subject. There are a number of factors to take into consideration. Your dog's temperament is one of them. A dog that is not neutered can be effected by the hormonal effect of being a whole male. A male that is not neutered will be able to smell a female in heat from over a mile away. This can cause some behavior issues and it is something I would not want to put my little guy through. Sometimes these whole males become overly protective and some like to mark.

I think I can accurately state the the majority of us have had the same fear about our babies when considering having them spayed or neutered. It is scary to have to hand your little loved one to someone you don't know very well. However, many feel that a spayed or neutered dog is going to be better adjusted and not have to be bothered by all the issues that a whole male or female have to deal with during a lifetime.

Most people recommend having blood work done before surgery. Go to a vet you trust and one that is experienced in doing surgery on small dogs. Remember a good vet has done hundreds of these types of surgeries on animals smaller than yours. Many do spay/neuter on kittens and other small animals like ferrets. Having a male neutered is far less invasive than a female spay. The surgery takes less time and the recovery is quicker as well. I hope you are able to get over your fear and do this for your little dog. Sometimes things that we fear seem like a scarier thing than they actually are.

[CouversMom]

I personally believe in spaying and neutering. I was a nervous wreck when I spayed and neutered my two, but I know it's whats best for them.

I would definitely suggest getting the bloodwork done anytime before your pup goes under anesthesia. Good luck in your decision!

[GeorgiesMomma]

Georgie was neutered when e was 3. I was just like you fearful so I can totally relate. Georgie is 3.8 which was a big reason why it took me so long. I will tell you we got pre-OP bloodwork and everything went great including his recovery. I think its in his best interest to get him neutered but I also understand why you are hesitant.

[msyorktown]

I concur with the above posting...both of mine are spayed/neutered, and Jersey my new baby will be spayed next month.

[Mochi_and_Mommy]

I just recently Spayed my Mochi, Spays are MUCH more invasive and i was a WRECK. I cried 3 times that day. and i dont mean a couple tears, i mean BAWLING. everything turned out great though. lol

I feel its very nessesary, as long as thier bloodwork comes in clean. i feel its a must. Like someone else mentioned, they can smell females in heat from a mile away and when they cant get to them its torture. there are really more pros then cons...

[gemy]

There is a small increased risk of testicular cancer. Of all the cancers a dog can have, this one is easily detected, and has a very high and successful cure rate.

Here is a link to another thread that shows a reference to some studies about the risks and benefits of the spay/neuter question.

Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete.

If you a do a web search you will find other articles (some referencing the actual research papers) on the spay/neuter question.

Once you inform yourself, a discussion with your vet is the best way to go, as they have the health history of your particular dog, and should have valuable advice/input to your decision making process.

There is an article here in the library that talks about anaesthesia protocols for Yorkies. Read it.

Pre Op blood work is highly recommended.

Best of luck with your decision..

[ladyjane]

I am not going to get into the pros and cons of altering pets....I firmly believe in it. Period.

What I think is most important that you have brought up is the topic of anesthesia. If you are afraid to have him go under for a neuter, what will you do when he needs dentals? He is small and more than likely going to need them yearly....and the only correct way to do them is under anesthesia. You need to discuss this fear with your vet. As long as your vet is using up to date anesthetic procedures, the risk of death during anesthesia is soooo low. There is a greater risk that your pup will end up with cardiac and renal issues due to periodontal disease if his teeth are not properly cared for.

[LILBIT1]

Def get blood work done. I understand your neurotic love. Id do anything for waffles. Our vet said if not breeding its best for her to be spayed. We did bloodwork, and got her spayed. Picked her up same day.

[gemy]

Sorry the link didn't paste correctly:

Here it is again: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...n-if-ever.html

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by gemy

There is a small increased risk of testicular cancer. Of all the cancers a dog can have, this one is easily detected, and has a very high and successful cure rate.

Here is a link to another thread that shows a reference to some studies about the risks and benefits of the spay/neuter question.Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete.

If you a do a web search you will find other articles (some referencing the actual research papers) on the spay/neuter question. Once you inform yourself, a discussion with your vet is the best way to go, as they have the health history of your particular dog, and should have valuable advice/input to your decision making process.

There is an article here in the library that talks about anaesthesia protocols for Yorkies. Read it.

Pre Op blood work is highly recommended.

Best of luck with your decision..

Excellent advice and guidance!

[yorkietalkjilly]

I've heard that some un-neutered male pets are kind of miserable in that they are always trying to mate or thinking about it a lot. I don't know if that is true but just in case and to avoid marking and help him settle somewhat (Tibbe was wild as a tiger), I had Tibbe neutered at age ?10? months by a vet who does many, many small dogs. Tibbe stayed that night at the vet's, was somewhat shaky that next day when he came home but by the next, was pretty much normal and 3 days later, was his old self as to his eating and playing and such. He doesn't seem even remotely interested in mating and has NEVER marked in the house. I, too, was a nervous wreck until I heard the surgery was over and he was awake and fine. Like you, my Tibbe means absolutely everything to me so I understand your fear and concern.

[Teresa Ford]

Find a good Vet that treats a lot of toy dogs. Don't be afraid to change Vets or ask your Vet tough questions. You can even call your local Yorkie Club and ask for a recommendation. That is the most important thing. Finding a Vet you trust and can talk to. Tell her / him your concerns. I doubt you will ever be criticized for worrying about your Yorkie, after all we are on a site, called Yorkie Talk.
Ladyjane is right. Yorkies need to have their teeth cleaned, this is very important for their general health. Gemy also posted a link about neutering. Most of us do neuter our males, but that is not an absolute. Only you and your Vet can decide what is right for your Yorkie.
I know I am a crazy Yorkie Lady. I worry about every thing but, some times I just have to pray and put things in Gods hands.

[Lovetodream88]

If the pre surgery blood test is done and your dog is healthy there is very little risk of them not waking up. I am very much for everyone spaying an neutering.

[Carmeow]

I felt the same way when I had Luma spayed. What if she never woke up?

Think of it like this...if he dies during his neuter, he passed away in his sleep, free of pain.
If you dont neuter him and he did end up with testicular cancer, the treatment would be so hard on his little system, I'm sure itd be months of pain and weakness and stress.

Neutering has its risks but they are in my opinion lower than the risk of cancer.

Thats just my opinion.