To neuter or not to neuter....

[ColesMommy01]

I definitely understand how you feel about neutering Guido. he is absolutely handsome by the way . If you are still indecisive about what to do just make a list of the pros and cons of doing it. If the pros outweigh the negative and you feel comfortable about it go ahead when you think he is ready! This is a personal decision and you should do what you feel is right as his owner.

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by ColesMommy01

I definitely understand how you feel about neutering Guido. he is absolutely handsome by the way . If you are still indecisive about what to do just make a list of the pros and cons of doing it. If the pros outweigh the negative and you feel comfortable about it go ahead when you think he is ready! This is a personal decision and you should do what you feel is right as his owner.

I couldn't disagree more strongly with that statement. It should be about what's best for the dog.

There is virtually no reason to not neuter. Aside from the health benefits, neutered males are less likely to mark. Less likely to be injured when trying to get to a female in heat. They tend to have fewer issues with aggression and with humping everything it sight.

But above all else, a neutered male can't reproduce. That means fewer animals dying in shelters. It's also a fact that the vast majority of yorkies out there are NOT good representatives of the breed and are not doing anything to better the breeding stock by reproducing (no matter how cute we think they are.)

[theporkieyorkie]

I vote for neuter. My younger dog was 2.8 lbs, which was 1lb underweight, when he was neutered.

I DEFINITELY also vote on getting pre-op bloodwork done...especially since these guys are smaller AND the breed is prone to liver shunt problems. It can be very hard for a dog to come out of anesthesia if they do have a liver shut. It cost extra money...but IMO, it's worth the reassurance.

If you don't neuter your dog, it can lead to behavioral problems(peeing all over the house, aggression/dominance issues ,mounting, escaping to chase after females) and it can also lead to health problems later in life. Keeping around an intact male is a big responsibility, and it can be a big pain in the butt. It's soooo not worth the trouble if you aren't breeding.

[ColesMommy01]

@ Rhetts Mama. I dont think you understood my post...when I said "This is a personal decision and you should do what is right as his owner"...if you are the owner of an animal aren't you going to do what is best for it? THAT is what was meant. There are both positive AND negative to and not to neuter your pet(early). But every animal that isn't "fixed" is not contributing to pet overpopulation IMO. Either way it is the OP's responsibility and decision to do what she/he thinks is best for her Guido and it is not a decision you or I can or will make for her.

[yorkiedorky]

Originally Posted by theporkieyorkie

I vote for neuter. My younger dog was 2.8 lbs, which was 1lb underweight, when he was neutered.

I DEFINITELY also vote on getting pre-op bloodwork done...especially since these guys are smaller AND the breed is prone to liver shunt problems. It can be very hard for a dog to come out of anesthesia if they do have a liver shut. It cost extra money...but IMO, it's worth the reassurance.

If you don't neuter your dog, it can lead to behavioral problems(peeing all over the house, aggression/dominance issues ,mounting, escaping to chase after females) and it can also lead to health problems later in life. Keeping around an intact male is a big responsibility, and it can be a big pain in the butt. It's soooo not worth the trouble if you aren't breeding.

I don't think liver shunts show up in normal blood work. I think you need a Bile Acid test as well. But I would probably have everything done just as a precaution and for peace of mind in general. I love everyone's suggestions about the dental cleaning as well. I'd prefer it all be done at the same time. I will most likely go ahead and neuter from everyone's recommendations. Considering I don't plan on mating him, nor do I want him to end up with any later health problems due to it.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by yorkiedorky

I don't think liver shunts show up in normal blood work. I think you need a Bile Acid test as well. But I would probably have everything done just as a precaution and for peace of mind in general. I love everyone's suggestions about the dental cleaning as well. I'd prefer it all be done at the same time. I will most likely go ahead and neuter from everyone's recommendations. Considering I don't plan on mating him, nor do I want him to end up with any later health problems due to it.

Just a regular full panel is recommended to do before spaying and neutering. The blood panel would show if something was going on with the liver or other organs.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

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I couldn't disagree more strongly with that statement. It should be about what's best for the dog.

There is virtually no reason to not neuter. Aside from the health benefits, neutered males are less likely to mark. Less likely to be injured when trying to get to a female in heat. They tend to have fewer issues with aggression and with humping everything it sight.

But above all else, a neutered male can't reproduce. That means fewer animals dying in shelters. It's also a fact that the vast majority of yorkies out there are NOT good representatives of the breed and are not doing anything to better the breeding stock by reproducing (no matter how cute we think they are.)

You are basically saying that anyone who chooses not to neuter their dog is not doing it in the best interest of the dog and that is simply NOT the case. There are a lot of negatives to neutering as well and many have done a LOT of research regarding their decisions. I just do not think making such a blanket statement is fair at all. Simply because a male is not fixed does not automatically mean they're going to produce. Many people responsibly keep unaltered males.

With that said, I am FOR neutering in most everyday pets. I just think the risks are pretty equal on both sides- pros and cons, and I don't think one way is going to cause more or less health issues either way.

I would not worry about anesthesia at all and while yes, ANY surgery comes with risk, it's so incredibly uncommon, it's just something I would worry about.

[ColesMommy01]

@ Britster EXACTLY!!!

[theporkieyorkie]

I read online that some people end up finding out their puppies have liver shunt when they do go to spay/neuter because the pups will have such a long, hard recovery from the anesthesia, and every since then, I've been a huge advocate of blood work. A lot of vets will say it's not necessary unless to do pre-op bloodwork unless the dogs are older...I will always do it now.

It's a great idea to do dental as well. When my dog got neutered at 2.8 lbs, he also had to have his baby teeth pulled. They did it all at once so they didn't have to put him under again.

I aalways try to get everything done at once when I put my dogs under for dentals or surgery. I typically do my dentals in the spring and ask them to give them all their vaccinations, heart worm checks, trim the toe nails, anal glands etc etc...all while they are under and can't feel or see what they are doing...in an attempt to spare them from as much pain as discomfort as possible...and to make it easier on the vet.

[buddytheyorkie]

buddy was neutered yesterday and was grand they also pulled his puppy teeth and i think did his dental

[amyazer]

I think if u want him neutered n ur just afraid of his size u should either wait a couple months or just do it if he was like less than 3 than I would think twice I guess you have to through life with risk involved...but ill be praying everything goes well!

[gemy]

Originally Posted by yorkiedorky

That is the question...

My little baby, Guido is almost 10 months old. He's pretty good about going potty outside, but he occasionally lifts his leg around the house. My parents have 2 yorkies. (1 male/1 female) When we go downt o their house he has an OBSESSION with mounting their MALE dog... He also tries to mark his territory around their house. I suppose it is a dominance thing... I know it is a very standard proceedure but I am a worried mommy about putting my baby under anesthesia. He is a little guy and only weighs about 3.5lbs. Any suggestions?

A link to a thread about this whole question. I concur with what others have said, that if your vet is ontop of safe anaesthesia protocols for toy breeds, then I would not be unduly concerned with his small size.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...if-ever-2.html

There is a lot to understand about this question, and for most individual dogs and "most" breeds and for the average pet owner neutering after growth plate closure is the best decision overall.

[amyazer]

Originally Posted by gemy

A link to a thread about this whole question. I concur with what others have said, that if your vet is ontop of safe anaesthesia protocols for toy breeds, then I would not be unduly concerned with his small size.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...if-ever-2.html

There is a lot to understand about this question, and for most individual dogs and "most" breeds and for the average pet owner neutering after growth plate closure is the best decision overall.

how do you tell when growth plates have closed?

[gemy]

Originally Posted by amyazer

how do you tell when growth plates have closed?

A simple Xray view of the lateral tibia. This is the last growth plate to close. Do at propx 8 mths old for the toys

[Lovetodream88]

I am 100% percent for neutering and spaying unless there is a heath problem or you are a reputable breeder. I feel it shows that you are a responsible pet owner (some may disagree with that but it is what I feel). Also an unaltered dog is more likely to run off and get hurt in the process of wondering off I have heard some pretty scary crazy stories of what a male will do to get to a female. It also is not fair to the male because all he wants is to mate instead of just being a happy healthy pet. Yorkies are also being stolen a lot now and an unfixed dog means a lot of money to the person who took them and will probably sell them to a puppy mill or a back yard breeder.