To fix or not to fix ?

[Piccolo's mom]

Hi all you wonderful people,
My baby is 6 months old. I know all pros and cons of neutering but I still can't make up my mind I simply can't picture him on an operating table having his manhood cut off. He'll hate me for ever ! Won't he ?
Please, please, please give me your advice I can live with...

[Zoey's Momma]

I say the pros outweigh the cons! As soon as Kodi (my Poodle), get a little older..he's getting fixed! Look at the benefits of it though.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Piccolo's mom

Hi all you wonderful people,
My baby is 6 months old. I know all pros and cons of neutering but I still can't make up my mind I simply can't picture him on an operating table having his manhood cut off. He'll hate me for ever ! Won't he ?
Please, please, please give me your advice I can live with...

he will not hate you for ever, believe me. He probably won't even know the difference. There are millions of dogs out there that are spayed and neutered and love their momma's just the same. The pro's definately out weigh the cons here. Get him neutered before he picks up any bad habits

[Bizzymammabee]

Lex is turning 8 months and is not fixed. He doens't have any bad habits. Fixing doesn't necessarily fix any bad habits either. My friends dog is fixed and still humps everything that moves and marks in the house.

If you do have him neutered he will be sore for a day or two and then be back to normal. They dont' hold it against you...lol.

[browniesmom622]

they dont hate you for it my guys were back to themselves a hour after
its better for there health they dont need them unless your gonna breed

[Laur]

I am in the SAME situation you are. Diamond is about six months and I have been debating and going back and forth about getting her spayed. I keep hearing both sides of the argument but I can't make up my mind! I worry about her because she is so tiny.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Laur

I am in the SAME situation you are. Diamond is about six months and I have been debating and going back and forth about getting her spayed. I keep hearing both sides of the argument but I can't make up my mind! I worry about her because she is so tiny.

if you are not going to breed her then get her spayed. females have more cons then males in this issue.

[Piccolo's mom]

My sentiments exactly, Laur !
He is only 3 1/5 lb. But his thingie when it comes out is longer than he is, lol
It really scared me to death when I first saw it !!!

[JeanieK]

I believe the pros outweigh the cons. I know it is risky, but their chances of getting infections and cancer are much greater if you don't spay/neuter.

The problem with having to make a choice in any situation, we never know how it would have turned out had we chosen differently. Life itself is risky.

I don't believe anyone, that is educated in animal welfare, would tell you they are better of not being neutered/spayed.

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by kalina82

if you are not going to breed her then get her spayed. females have more cons then males in this issue.

I have been having this very same debate with myself about getting Ruby fixed. I understand the pros and cons. I know dogs and people are different, but with women I've always understood if everything is working right you are better off to let nature take its course with female reproductive functions and not have surgery to remove anything. Just wondering why this would not hold true for female dogs? Does anyone know?

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by jencar98

I have been having this very same debate with myself about getting Ruby fixed. I understand the pros and cons. I know dogs and people are different, but with women I've always understood if everything is working right you are better off to let nature take its course with female reproductive functions and not have surgery to remove anything. Just wondering why this would not hold true for female dogs? Does anyone know?

With female dogs they have a higher chance of getting breast cancer each time they go into heat and aren't bred (i'm not saying breeding is the answer to this either). after the second heat the chances of getting breast cancer goes up by 50%.

[Tiger's Mom]

Originally Posted by Piccolo's mom

My sentiments exactly, Laur !
He is only 3 1/5 lb. But his thingie when it comes out is longer than he is, lol
It really scared me to death when I first saw it !!!

I think it is obvious that you have actually made up your mind to get him fixed. . . your concern is just because he is so tiny. Being that he is only 6 months, that means he is still growing a bit . . .so just wait awhile. I have sent Laur a link that tells you delaying neutering/spaying a dog is okay . . . I got it from this site . . . perhaps Laur can send it to you so you can decide for yourself.

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by kalina82

With female dogs they have a higher chance of getting breast cancer each time they go into heat and aren't bred (i'm not saying breeding is the answer to this either). after the second heat the chances of getting breast cancer goes up by 50%.

I knew there is an increased risk of breast cancer in women that have not been pregnant but hadn't yet related that info to dogs. Good point, and thanks, that pretty well decides it for me. As soon as the vet she is big enough we'll be getting "it" done.

[Oscar's Mummy]

Originally Posted by Piccolo's mom

My sentiments exactly, Laur !
He is only 3 1/5 lb. But his thingie when it comes out is longer than he is, lol
It really scared me to death when I first saw it !!!

Dont be afraid to get him neutered! I was terrified to get Oscar neutered, sharing the same fears as everyone else on this forum. I waited until he was 7mths old so he could gain a little more weight, but as it were, he only weighed 2.8lbs when he went in for surgery. They also pulled 14 of his baby teeth! He came through wonderfully and was a little groggy that day, but pretty well back to normal the next day. His was also a cryptorchid neuter (one of his testicals hadn't dropped and was hidden under his bladder - two incisions instead of one - longer, more expensive surgery). Had I left him unaltered, he would have been at much greater risk for cancer especially because of the retained testical.

I had Oscar neutered before he started 'humping' - I never had to see him mount anything or get all hot and bothered! BUT, I didn't get to him before he started lifting his leg to pee, so when he does go, sometimes it's a squat, sometimes it's a lift.

Neutering Piccolo will help keep him from marking all over your house, humping, and they say it even helps to keep them from running off on you. It can calm down aggressive (especially aggression towards other male dogs) or hyperactive dogs as well. Oscar was already really calm and cuddly, but I find he's even more so since his neuter (didn't even think that was possible). I really think it's important for their health and overall well being. Also, if Piccolo has any baby teeth retained at the time of his neuter, the vet can pull them while he is under anesthetic.

Wait another month or two if you want him to gain a little more weight so maybe you'll be more comfortable with the idea. Piccolo wont hold a grudge - if anything, he'll be more bonded to you - just give him lots of cuddles and spoil him when he gets home!

I know you're in Mississauga - what vet clinic do you go to?

[Piccolo's mom]

Hi Janice,
Thank you very much for your advice. I'm going out of my mind trying to make the right decission. I took Piccolo to Clarkson Animal Hospital because it's very close to my place but my neighbour told me they are not very good.
What vet are you using ?