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Neuter question My apologies in advance ... I'm sure this subject has been covered extensively, but I'm still wading through page after page of old posts, trying to garner information. So I'm gonna take the *quick* route on this question, and ask you directly: My pup is 4 months old. Yesterday, he had his 4th (and final) round of shots. They advised me that his 'nads had dropped, and when did I want to get him neutered :eek: . To me, 4 months is a little early ... I was thinking more along the lines of 6 months. I checked with his breeder this morning, and she suggested between 5-6 months. Collectively (as well as individually), there is a lot of experience on this board regarding these wee beasties. I know that their rate of maturity would be much different from say, a Great Dane pup ... so when IS a good time to take them in? Why "now" instead of "then" (i.e., pros and cons of early rather than late ...)? Also, what questions do I need to ask my vet? I assume I'm looking for someone who uses gas versus IV sedation? What else do I need to ask them? TIA for you help/opinions. |
The questions you want to ask are: What anesthesia do you use? (best in isoflourine or sevoflourine) Before you intubate, what anesthesia do you use? Do you use any injectable and what kind? (no barbiturates with the exceptiono of propofol which is supposed to be really safe from what I've heard) Do you use some kind of heating device on the surgery table? (toy breeds lose heat very quickly and a surgery shouldn't be done without this) Do you give pain pills? (may not be necessary for neuter) Do you do preop bloodwork? (not an option in my opinion but most vets will give you a choice...please do it) Does your dog have to stay overnight and if yes then is there somebody there watching him? |
I'm all for early spay and neutering. I think the idea of having to wait until 6 months is outdated. Many many vets are spaying and neutering earlier now. As soon as a dog reaches two pounds, it can be spayed or neutered. Of course, you need to do pre-op bloodwork first to make sure there are no underlying health issues. You also want to make sure your vet is comfortable with spaying tiny dogs and has experience with early spaying and neutering if that's the way you want to go. The earlier the better in my opinion, especially with neutering. The earlier you neuter, the less chance you have of them developing behavioral problems that might start before 6 months such as lifting the leg to pee, marking, humping, aggression, etc. Otherwise, whether or you do it earlier or later, the health benefits are basically the same - no chance of testicular cancer, enlarged prostate, etc. The only difference I've really seen in dogs altered earlier rather than post-puberty is that the growth plates close later...not really a big concern to me. |
I know that it's fashionable to do it early ... but I just don't know if there are enough dogs currently old enough to find out if there are any problems associated with getting "fixed" early. I understand the shelters doing pups at 8 weeks; after all, you need to strike while the iron is hot - and they currently have the pup under their control. There's no guarantee that someone will bring the dog back at a later date, even if the procedure has been prepaid. He's such a sweetie, but he's already humping his bed. I don't want the situation to get worse, and want to avoid that testosterone surge if I can. Thanks! |
There are so many opinions on this that you will just have to find your place in it. Early neutering can result in "legginess" or just a weird look. There also seems to be some connection (still studying about this) between early neutering (before one year) and osteosarcoma in giant breeds particularly, which is far worse than your dog marking his territory. This may not apply to Yorkies at all but I don't think there is one right answer. I'm not really into the neutering thing anyway. I still don't know exactly where I stand on the issue.:) |
Do you think he will need any baby teeth removed? If he might, you can wait and combine the surgeries. It's just something else to consider. |
Ellie May, thank you for your candor. Personally, because I have no intention of doing the "show" thing, nor do I intend to breed him, the best thing I can do for him is to get him "neutralized". I think all of us will be happier in the long run. Judy, Duh! I hadn't thought in terms of dental work. He has a whole mouthful of sharp little teeth, and I just figured they'd fall out normally (like all my other dogs' teeth have done). Down the road apiece, I understand the need for dental work - but this little dude better plan on spitting out his OWN baby teeth ;) . Knowing this vet, I'm sure he'll check the pup's teeth while he has the opportunity to do so. Cost: I've only gone to the one vet in my area, and I haven't had to have a dog neutered in oh, maybe 13 years or so .... this one is charging $225 all inclusive of preliminary bloodwork, neutering, sedation, and post-op. Is that a normal fee? |
We paid approx. $150 for Gizmo's including the removal of 5 baby teeth (four canines and one in the back). Gizmo's was at around 5 months. Yorkies often do have a problem with retaining some baby teeth unfortunately. Hopefully, that won't be an issue for your little guy. :) I commend you for knowing the importance of neutering. :) |
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From everything I've read, there have been no increased adverse effects due to spaying/neutering early (6-16 weeks) as opposed to spaying/neutering at the traditional 6 months. It was once thought that females spayed early had an increased risk for urinary incontinence but that has been proven untrue. The risk for urinary incontinence is the same for all spayed dogs, regardless of the age spayed. (I know that doesn't apply to you ;) ) |
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Pricing depends on the area of the country. $225 sounds pretty reasonable to me since it includes everything. |
do not neuter until at least 6months old they haven't really matured enough and can cause incontenced problems later on some vets use iv or in muscle sedation then gas for surgerys neuters usually take less than 30 minutes and are the easiest routine surgerys at a vets office |
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I just wanted to say that the American Veterinary Medical Association is in support of early spaying and neutering. They wouldn't endorse it if it wasn't safe http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/an...pay_neuter.asp http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/ope/ivb/spay-neu.htm - explains further that it is safe |
Great links! I'd seen the one from 1998 before, but not the one from the AVMA. I'm bookmarking it. :D |
I myself would wait until he was 6 months or older. Only because if he has retained baby teeth the vet can pull them out at the same time. And the fewer times a dog has to go under the better. JMO |
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