Early Spay/Neuter

[PlatinumYorkies]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

I have wanted to start a thread about this for a while and it came up again tonight in a couple of threads with breeders rightfully concerned about protecting their lines.

I just wondered about how the procedure, for example, is different, if it is, for a puppy under 12 weeks, at what age or weight do they consider it safe, are the risks greater than for an older puppy, and that sort of thing? I know that the breeders who do this are concerned about the health and well being of their babies so I know they would not risk their health un reasonably but I know that I am petrified of putting my tiny dogs at 8 months under aneshtesia much less a young pup under a lb.

Hefner was under a lb when I got him at 12 weeks and he was already neutered.

My feelings on neutering are well known on here and I really am not looking for a debate about this but just the facts and any studies that anyone is aware of that prove this procedure is safe for young puppies.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Hey, Kim did you ever get in contact with Hefner's breeder to find out if she ever had any complications from early spay/nueter procedures...

[goldenray]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

I have wanted to start a thread about this for a while and it came up again tonight in a couple of threads with breeders rightfully concerned about protecting their lines.

I just wondered about how the procedure, for example, is different, if it is, for a puppy under 12 weeks, at what age or weight do they consider it safe, are the risks greater than for an older puppy, and that sort of thing? I know that the breeders who do this are concerned about the health and well being of their babies so I know they would not risk their health un reasonably but I know that I am petrified of putting my tiny dogs at 8 months under aneshtesia much less a young pup under a lb.

Hefner was under a lb when I got him at 12 weeks and he was already neutered.

My feelings on neutering are well known on here and I really am not looking for a debate about this but just the facts and any studies that anyone is aware of that prove this procedure is safe for young puppies.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Hi Kim. Am up late tonight and had time to respond to this. I have been early spay/neutering for years now. Two reasons I do this. To prevent the dog being bred and to prevent the new owner having to go through the trama of the spay/neutering. Heaven forbid the puppy die and just as with people anesthesia is still a risk on rare occasions. With todays anesthesia it's not common but it's easier for me to just do it.

The puppies have to be atleast 2 pounds in weight and I am able to do most of mine by 12 weeks, but on occasion a little later. One of the best benefits about it is everyone seems to be having a lot easier time potty training, which is a plus. The puppies go through the spay/neutering easier then an adult. Mine come home playing. I am extremely stressed while they are there though.

[BlumoonYorkies]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

I have wanted to start a thread about this for a while and it came up again tonight in a couple of threads with breeders rightfully concerned about protecting their lines.

I just wondered about how the procedure, for example, is different, if it is, for a puppy under 12 weeks, at what age or weight do they consider it safe, are the risks greater than for an older puppy, and that sort of thing? I know that the breeders who do this are concerned about the health and well being of their babies so I know they would not risk their health un reasonably but I know that I am petrified of putting my tiny dogs at 8 months under aneshtesia much less a young pup under a lb.

Hefner was under a lb when I got him at 12 weeks and he was already neutered.

My feelings on neutering are well known on here and I really am not looking for a debate about this but just the facts and any studies that anyone is aware of that prove this procedure is safe for young puppies.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Hello,
I have been early spay/nuetering for 10 years now on my puppies before they leave my home. However if I do have a very small puppy at 3 mths. rule of thumb is to wait until they are 2 lbs. My vet works very closely with me on this. I also do blood profiles and bile acid testing around this time as well.
I have not had any bad experiences. However I do suggest that a pet person not presure their vet into doing this early for them. If it is going to be done the breeder should do it, then if something does happen the pet home will not have such a horrific loss. I know it would be the breeders but better me than the pet buyer! Not sure I would nueter a puppy only 1 lb. at 12 weeks, unless they had it done with the new laser that is out. I have heard about it but do not know much on it. Maybe someone else here does.

[YorkieRini]

It's nice to see more positive experiences with early s/n. Cher and GiGi, what is most important when having the surgery done on a Yorkie at any age? I'm only asking for your opinions.

Mine is that the vet must be well versed in the updated medical technology, using the best anesthetic and etc..All to often I hear the blame of why NOT to is the risk of size. I personally don't think that's true. But again agree with the recomended guideline my vet uses which is the same as yours.

On a side note, the Chi I mentioned was an adult at 1.5 pounds, but still scarey none the less.

Thanks for your input. My breeding program is constantly evolving, I just incorporated early s/n end of last year. I am thrilled to hear positive results.

[JCarlson2004]

I'm not a breeder but I found this thread very informative and interesting.

[YorkieRini]

[amyann]

Wow........ Thanks for all the information. I am not a breeder. I am just about to schedule my puppy's spaying. The thought of anesthesia is very scary for me personally so I waited. She is about 7 1/2 months old now and I thought I better hurry if it's to be done before her first heat (I don't know when it's gonna hit). After reading all the posts, I think maybe we got lucky by waiting a bit longer with all the benefits listed. Anyway, this is a great post and it has answered my questions on the timing part. Thank you. Between the chance of getting cancer of any kind and having her put under, I just have to get over my fear sooner or later. Thanks again for the infor.

[YorkieRini]

[goldenray]

Originally Posted by YorkieRini

It's nice to see more positive experiences with early s/n. Cher and GiGi, what is most important when having the surgery done on a Yorkie at any age? I'm only asking for your opinions.

Mine is that the vet must be well versed in the updated medical technology, using the best anesthetic and etc..All to often I hear the blame of why NOT to is the risk of size. I personally don't think that's true. But again agree with the recomended guideline my vet uses which is the same as yours.

On a side note, the Chi I mentioned was an adult at 1.5 pounds, but still scarey none the less.

Thanks for your input. My breeding program is constantly evolving, I just incorporated early s/n end of last year. I am thrilled to hear positive results.

Actually I don't think there is anything to worry about on early spay/neutering other than this being a healthy dog. Of course with their smaller size, being they are younger, if this is a liver shunt or heart problem dog or something, you are sure going to know it right away. To me that is just another plus, especially with the breeder taking on the responsibility.

Shelters have been spay/neutering small ones for years at this age and the larger breeds at 8 weeks. They get no hormones in them either which can happen before altering at 6 months. All around it's better. My new owners are thrilled to death and know they have one strong healthy puppy when they walk out of here.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by goldenray

Hi Kim. Am up late tonight and had time to respond to this. I have been early spay/neutering for years now. Two reasons I do this. To prevent the dog being bred and to prevent the new owner having to go through the trama of the spay/neutering. Heaven forbid the puppy die and just as with people anesthesia is still a risk on rare occasions. With todays anesthesia it's not common but it's easier for me to just do it.

The puppies have to be atleast 2 pounds in weight and I am able to do most of mine by 12 weeks, but on occasion a little later. One of the best benefits about it is everyone seems to be having a lot easier time potty training, which is a plus. The puppies go through the spay/neutering easier then an adult. Mine come home playing. I am extremely stressed while they are there though.

Just curious about the procedure...if it is different in any way than when they do it on older dogs and have you ever lost a pup or had any other "bad" experiences or problems with this? Any develop incontinence later in life as I have heard this is a potential risk of spaying.

Why do you view the hormones as a negative thing?

[goldenray]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

Just curious about the procedure...if it is different in any way than when they do it on older dogs and have you ever lost a pup or had any other "bad" experiences or problems with this? Any develop incontinence later in life as I have heard this is a potential risk of spaying.

Why do you view the hormones as a negative thing?

Hi Kim. No never had any problems whatsoever, but I also have very healthy dogs. Hormones are what tends to cause cancer. Same as why women have to worry so much about taking supplemental hormones. Never lost a pup, but once again I have healthy dogs and am not going to lose them from spaying/neutering. This procedure is easy as can be on a puppy. It's the same procedure and an adult. Never once had one develop incontinence. Personally if they developed it my personal feeling is they were going to anyway, as that seems to run in lines.

[Muffie's Mom]

When we had Muffie at the vet, we also took Missy with us and asked the vet at what age Missy could be spayed. And he said "SIX MONTHS". Darn, I was hoping he'd say earlier so we'd know for sure that she won't go into heat.

[rrosenberry]

[QUOTE=Muffie's Mom]When we had Muffie at the vet, we also took Missy with us and asked the vet at what age Missy could be spayed. And he said "SIX MONTHS". Darn, I was hoping he'd say earlier so we'd know for sure that she won't go into heat..

Every dog I have ever had, the vet has always said, wait until they are at least 6 months to sp/n , why is that when obviously, it can be done sooner, with out problems?

[goldenray]

Originally Posted by Muffie's Mom

When we had Muffie at the vet, we also took Missy with us and asked the vet at what age Missy could be spayed. And he said "SIX MONTHS". Darn, I was hoping he'd say earlier so we'd know for sure that she won't go into heat.

Hi Pat. A lot of vets are afraid to spay/neuter younger than that. If the puppy has a shunt or heart problems, they worry about losing the dog.

I have had 2 dogs that came in heat at 6 months, but the majority come in way later. Of course most leave here spayed/neutered, since I keep very few, so I can't say at what age they would have come in.

I understand you wanting to get it done earlier, but don't press your vet. He needs to feel comfortable doing it. You might check your local kennel club though for some toy breeders of any breed and see if any of them have a vet that early spay/neuters. If not, just get her in as quickly as you can hoping to beat her from having her 1st cycle. Good luck.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

Any develop incontinence later in life as I have heard this is a potential risk of spaying.

I would think that if you have a pup s/n, this would be a rather hard thing to determine as far as if it was actually casued from the spaying. You have no before and after comparison that can be made that would enable you to say, "OK, this is happening because of the s/n." Many dogs develop this problem with older age, s/n or not. I would think it would be impossible to tell for sure if s/n was the actual cause.
I would presume the only way you could know for sure is if you had a middle age dog w/ no problems in this area at all, had the s/n done, and immediately or soon after started having these issues? Wouldn't you think?
I don't know, this is just my take and reasoning on the situation.