Hi,

You don't need to over worry. One issue I notice in the forums is an excessive fear of anesthesia. A vet wouldn't administer anesthesia to any dog if he/she believes it posses a health risk on the dog based on pre-op tests. People here over worry about it!

It's very important that you work with a veterinarian you feel comfortable with and seems like know what's he's doing. Ask the right questions based on the anasthesia protocol posted on a threat here n YT.

Like human surgeries, anesthesia has it risks, but I think the chances of dead are very slim. Don't worry. Your pup will be fine :)

Thank you, my friend.....
Everything I think, do, say, teach, preach,or scold people about, is garnered from experiences that I personally have lived thru with my own babies, or someone very close to me has had happen and I witnessed. This lesson just adds to my entire "portfolio", and I seldom make the same mistake twice.....That experience taught me I must be very careful with cavalier attitudes, taking "unknowns" for granted, when I come here and tell people that may not have had the experiences with these babies as I have, they are looking for assistance, guidance and direction, based on what we know, what we have learned. I will instruct and educate, with facts and links and stats....Going forward, I will be very, very cautious with the expression, "Go ahead and do it, and dont worry, your baby will be fine"....I dont want to ever again feel like I possibly misled someone into making a decision because I said their baby "would be fine"........

Every animal I have ever owned has been fixed. Harley was 6 months old and 5 pounds when I got him and he had already been neutered, if he was still intact I would have had him neutered ASAP, I have had the same vet for 20 years and my family has taken all their animals there as well, I trust them 150% with anything they would do or suggest for my guys. That's just me though. My vet Also has poms and breeds them so he is used to small breed and toy breed dogs.

Thanks Gemy!!! Yes, its very hard to watch how much he's changed. I do regret having him fixed. I feel like it was harder on him bc of how easily anxious and stressed he gets now. I think in this case the pros did not outweigh the cons. But whats done is done. After my experience though, I do think that spay and neuter is a personal decision on an owner deciding what is best for thier pet. My Fletch would have been better off not being fixed. I am EXTREMELY careful about his exposure to other dogs, he has not tried to bolt out the door in years, so that was not an issue.

He makes me soooooo very sad when he hides under the bed in fear of something, or cowers when you go to pet him sometimes. He never did that before. Plus I hate thinking that he is going into his golden years (hes 7 now) with all this extra weight. I just want him to be as healthy as he can be, so he can live as long as possible. I have consulted the vet about his weight multiple times. He's on a strict diet and we watch him eat and then put him in another room so my other boy can eat. He has 1/4 cup of food 2x a day and thats it. He has 1 small milkbone a day (sometimes only 1/2) and that bone is given in the morning, not at night. He gets no people food or table scraps except veggies here & there, green beans, carrots, cucumber or asparagus, they are just steamed or raw. Hes on a high quality food (taste of the wild) ... I just don't know what else to do at this point. His thyroid was tested with his bloodwork and it's normal. He went from 8.9lbs before neuter to 13.5lbs, 6 months after his neuter and he's stayed at that weight for almost 3 years now despite our efforts. His activity level has roughly been the same, and coming out of summer when he gets more exercise should have helped with weight, but nothing. Poor guy cant even jump on the bed anymore! :(

Have you ever thought about maybe the reason he was so effected was because you neutered him so late? He was a grown boy and was used to having his boy 'parts' and then you took them away from him. Maybe if you had neutered him earlier, he wouldn't have known the difference?

I just know that I spayed/neutered my two at 6 months and 8 months and saw absolutely no personality change. They both bounced back to their perky happy selves. They have more energy than they should and have maintained their weight. But with this, I also walk them constantly and they get 4 trips to the dog park a week... They are some of the most active/happy dogs I know and with how much I take them out, it would have been a huge mistake not to spay and neuter.

About the thyroid test. Unless you did an expanded profile the results back on general bloodwork are not conclusive of a properly functioning thyroid. Go to www.hemopet.org. Dr Jean Dodds is a known expert in this field, and a blood draw and sending same to her is easily done and not too expensive. Also she will consult with you over email, and may have some suggestions.

Sometimes after neutering we do need to pick up the pace of exercising. It might not be in your boy's case; IJDK.

I do find interesting that your boy is showing insecurity in the house versus outside.

Anyhow you have lots of time to research and try out different options.

My previous golden, Lucky, was 10 years olde before I neutered and it was only because he developed very high tesoterone levels and stud tail as well as creepy skin issues- Cleared as soon as he was neutered. Plus I was bringing in a female yorkie who would not be spayed til she was 2 so why torture the old guy? He was neutered for his health at that point. My vet owns goldens himself so he fully supported not neutered as long as the person is a fully responsible pet owner. He was not a runner and always supervised outdoors and fully off leash trained.

My present golden, Buddy, was neutered soon after I got him because he was a running escape artist. It did not stop him from running but at least then he could not find "trouble."

My yorkies, all females, get spayed after the age of 2. Personal choice.

I would do my research and decide for myself.

Your story just brought me to tears for the woman, the pup and YOU. I am so sorry you have that guilt that you carry around. You thought you were giving her sound advice. Millions of dogs and cats go through this each year and they are doing kittens a 9 weeks old now. Just know you give wonderful advice. Hugs

To OP you need to do do what is best for you and your pup. We call can give advice but in the end it is your choice. Like the advice of others please read about the anesthesia. Talk to the vet you trust. We all love our fur babies and want the best things for them and for others. That is why we are all here. Hugs