neutering :|
 

Hi all,

I'm sure it's about or a little passed that time for neutering! Rocky's 10months now and not sure if I've waited to long or if I can wait more.... How much $ are we looking at? And should I be worried about anything?... I heard something about anesthesia issues, etc. Any kind of info regarding neutering would be great, thanks in advance! :animal-pa

You haven't waited too long at all. Now is a pretty good age for him to be neutered as well as having any remaining baby teeth pulled (they can cause dental problems down the road if not pulled early enough). The cost is going to vary between veterinarians - I recommend you call yours and find out their fees for neutering. While you have them on the phone, here's a link to some important anesthesia and surgical questions you need to be asking them. :) http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-protocol.html

Bonny

Thanks for the quick reply BonBon. I have heard from some vets between $300 and $400 - which sounds like a lot for our size dogs.

I payed 440 for Taycie's spay. They also had to pull 8 retained puppy teeth. I was nervous about the price in the beginning but I wouldn't have done it any other way. She received excellent care and bounced back super fast! A friend of mine went a cheaper route and they ended up loosing their dog a few years ago.

With the pre-op tests, IV line, anesthesia, biodisposal charge, medications, I think Tibbe's was around $250 - $300.00. Tibbe was 10-11 mos. when he was neutered and I cannot see that he had any changes in his personality or energy but I do know he is now 3 1/2 years old and has never marked in the house so far at least. He weighed about 4 1/2 lbs. when he was neutered and had no anesthesia problems. My late Jilly weighed only 3 lbs. and was about 6 years old when I finally realized I just had to take the anesthesia risk and have her spayed as the health risks of not spaying seemed greater. She did fine with her surgery, too, but even all of those years ago in the late '90's, her spay fee was about $425.00, I think. I hope your boy does very well with his surgery and you are back posting soon that he is all over it and doing fine.

Thanks all... I know this is a stupid question, but how big of a deal is it if I don't go through with neutering...?

A lot depends on what part of the country you're in. It's less expensive here, but I'm in Oklahoma.

A lot of the bigger cities have low cost spay/neuter clinics. Have you checked in to one of those?

Neutering your pet is very much a personal choice but I'm a strong supporter of it. It can help prevent certain cancers later in life, help keep males from marking, help make males less aggressive AND it will 100% keep an "Ooops" from happening. The world if overpopulated with unwanted "Ooops" litters as it is. Except for preventing unexpected litters, the other benifits aren't guaranteed to happen but neutering can help. All that said, the choice is entirely up to you.

I'm glad you care so much for your little guy and you're asking these serious, thoughful questions. :)

Bonny

It is your choice but you eliminate his chances of his getting testicular cancer. It also eliminates some behavioral problems. If the cost is the reason you are considering holding off call your humaine society and ask them for the number of the low cost pay neuter clinic in your area. I got my cats spayed for $20 a cat at a low cost clinic

I only paid $65 for Jackson's neuter but I went to a reputable low cost clinic in the area. I am a strong supporter of spay/neuter... I don't really see a good reason NOT to. I know I will never own an unaltered male simply by the ones I've seen... the only dogs that ever seem to cause trouble at the dog park are unneutered, they are too worried about humping, peeing and being way over protective to even play. And they can smell a female in heat from miles away.... I think it is 85% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered males. I understand most will say "oh there is no chance he will get a female pregnant" and then... woops! It happens. It's not worth the risk to me.

I do agree that some are spaying/neutering really at an early age and I think it's wise to wait for growth plates to close and retained baby teeth to have a chance to fall out. 10 months is actually a great age. Jackson was neutered at 7 months old and there was no personality change. He is still super active and has lots of energy. But he never ever marks indoors and he usually still squats to pee. He only leg lifts at public parks where other dogs have been. He's not aggressive in any way, etc. It's obviously a personal choice... I do think there are more actual health benefits to spaying a female than there are neutering a male. But I think it's a wise thing to do either way.

neutering
 

Hi, My Bailey is almost 5 months. I went to vet. yesterday for well visit. Our vet said it would cost 150 dollars for neutering, and 10 dollars per baby tooth pulled. I live in Ma. Hope this helps. Beege:aimeeyork

This story was posted on another thread recently... If may have already read it. It was a big eye opener to me.. Grab a tissue..

My Name is Sam | Life With Dogs

$300-400? That sounds like a lot! I checked 2 vets in my area, one was $130 and one was $150 for neutering. Mine will be neutered as soon as he turned 6 months. I can't stand the "male behavior" AND, his "boys" are very visible and not pretty to look at at all.:thumbdown The health benefits are just a bonus. I would never have an unaltered dog, it is too much trouble.

That is so sad and moving I bawled my eyes out

Sammy was 4 years old when he was neutered while having surgery for something else. They charged an additional 100.00 for the neuter.