Not-pregnancy related: Neutering a male dog

[LadyNymeria]

ETA: I am planning on calling today to schedule the appointment. This thread was caused by a bit of an emotional freakout (that I was not expecting!) when I went to call yesterday.

I was going to stick this in today's random's thread, but it turned into a long post so I figured I'd just put it in its own thread.

I am hardcore struggling with whether or not to get my dog neutered. I posted a thread on this on GKU a while back so if you were there too, this is the same dog.

The only benefit I currently see for neutering him is to remove any chance of him taking off some day after a female in heat. I've been trying to research this and while risk of testicular cancer is gone (obviously) and there's a lower incidence of prostate problems, it appears the risk of other cancers (e.g. bone and bladder cancers) increase in neutered dogs.

MH and I had decided to get it done to remove any risk of him wandering (he's well trained so it's already low) but when I went to call to make the appointment I just couldn't do it. I feel horrible about cutting off part of my dog's body for what feels like convenience for MH and I.

The pregnancy hormones are not helping and I'm literally tearing up at work typing this because I can't decide what to do. Obviously there are risks to leaving him intact, but there are risks for neutering him too.

He's a male Labrador retriever and will be 2 at the beginning of September. He has an amazing personality and no bad behaviors. We had always planned on at least delaying neutering, and clearly we've succeeded in waiting, but now I'm confused. Any thoughts on the matter would be seriously appreciated.

Thanks ladies. Sorry that ended up being so long. Here's a picture of my cutie as a thanks for reading all this:

**poof**

[readinglove]

That's a tough decision. I have no advice or knowledge on this topic whatsoever. The only thought that popped into my mind is expected lifespan. Does the procedure have any effect/bearing on that? (((hugs))) as you try to make the best choice for your adorable pup!

[blackbird]

Both my males are neutered, and I wouldn't have an intact male unless I was planning to use him for stud dog purposes. I think the benefits outweigh the negatives. I just don't see the reason not to neuter, and I've never understood the feeling of "not wanting to cut off my dog's body part". But again this is coming from a cattle girl who was helping work calves & cutting nuts off bulls from a young age.

Plus we live in the country and don't have a fenced yard so roaming would be a concern.

PS He's a very handsome boy!

PPS Recovery was much easier on my boys than my females. Boys bounce back quick!

[LadyNymeria]

Jul 21, 2015 17:06:08 GMT -5 readinglove said:

That's a tough decision. I have no advice or knowledge on this topic whatsoever. The only thought that popped into my mind is expected lifespan. Does the procedure have any effect/bearing on that? (((hugs))) as you try to make the best choice for your adorable pup!

I found some comment online that neutered dogs live on average 1 1/5 years longer, but the sample was canine patients at veterinary teaching hospitals so they were more likely to have other health issues than the general canine population. So it's not conclusive.

[LadyNymeria]

Jul 21, 2015 17:16:59 GMT -5 blackbird said:

Both my males are neutered, and I wouldn't have an intact male unless I was planning to use him for stud dog purposes. I think the benefits outweigh the negatives. I just don't see the reason not to neuter, and I've never understood the feeling of "not wanting to cut off my dog's body part". But again this is coming from a cattle girl who was helping work calves & cutting nuts off bulls from a young age.

Plus we live in the country and don't have a fenced yard so roaming would be a concern.

PS He's a very handsome boy!

PPS Recovery was much easier on my boys than my females. Boys bounce back quick!

Thanks. And it's not an "oh no he won't have his nuts" thought about cutting off a body part, more just putting him through the surgery to get it done. Nice to know the recovery wasn't bad with your boys.

[OrganicRosemary]

First off, he's a beautiful dog. I hope this doesn't come off as me being a jerk- honestly, I think it's the responsible thing to do to neuter him. Unless you plan to have him as a breeding dog/stud. Now, since he's a full bred lab that's a possibility. I know there's some strong feelings about dog breeders too. But anyways. I just think there are far too many "oops" dogs in shelters and pounds and if you can prevent even one litter of potentially "unwanted" dogs, I think you should. Males recover very quickly from the surgery. I know it's a tough decision, dogs are part of the family around here too, so I understand not wanting to put him through a (potentially unnecessary) surgery.

[readinglove]

Jul 21, 2015 17:17:24 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

Jul 21, 2015 17:06:08 GMT -5 readinglove said:

That's a tough decision. I have no advice or knowledge on this topic whatsoever. The only thought that popped into my mind is expected lifespan. Does the procedure have any effect/bearing on that? (((hugs))) as you try to make the best choice for your adorable pup!

I found some comment online that neutered dogs live on average 1 1/5 years longer, but the sample was canine patients at veterinary teaching hospitals so they were more likely to have other health issues than the general canine population. So it's not conclusive.

Gotcha. I think then the other other thing I would look at would be the rate of the occurrences of the types of cancer.

FWIW, all of the dogs I know and spend time with have been spayed/neutered. The males that are older and are neutered have perfectly happy, healthy lives thus far. One is 9, the others range in age from 1-7. My aunt's male border collie (different breed, I get that) was neutered and lived to be 15 or 16. He died from natural causes.

[blackbird]

And to say that there is a increase risk of other cancers in neutered dogs is quite the reach if you ask me. My thought on that correlation would be that pet owners who got their pet neutered are also the same owners who are more likely to take said animal into the vet if they become ill...thus potentially being diagnosed with cancer.

I just don't see that as a valid argument.

By that point why did you choose a breed that is more prone to cancer? If you're using potential health/cancer risks as a reason not to neuter?


ETA reading back what I wrote it could be taken as argumentative/accusatory and that is not my intention. Just trying to point things out.

[LadyNymeria]

Jul 21, 2015 17:26:26 GMT -5 blackbird said:

And to say that there is a increase risk of other cancers in neutered dogs is quite the reach if you ask me. My thought on that correlation would be that pet owners who got their pet neutered are also the same owners who are more likely to take said animal into the vet if they become ill...thus potentially being diagnosed with cancer.

I just don't see that as a valid argument.

By that point why did you choose a breed that is more prone to cancer? If you're using potential health/cancer risks as a reason not to neuter?

Because potential cancer risk from neutering is just not something I ever thought about before getting my dog. I spent my time researching the breeder we got them from to make sure they had a good strong history of healthy dogs.

Your bolded statement is a good point.

ETA (based on your ETA): And I'm not taking anything as argumentative. I posted looking for real thoughts and opinions. Strong opinions on any topic will lead to strong responses. I appreciate the responses as I am just looking to do what's best for my pup. I feel like I know it needs to get done, I was just suddenly having a hard time with this and apparently needed a little hand-holding in the form of bouncing what I was thinking off others.

[almachs0786]

I'll admit to not having really researched anything, but I've never had a dog that I've not spayed/neutered. To me, it's just always seemed the responsible thing to do... Especially having spent so much time volunteering in an animal shelter, I will always recommend having your animals fixed. It's just not something I've ever considered optional.

[DanaScullyX]

I also would never have an unaltered dog, but my question would be about how much time you might spend with other, unknown dogs. It really bothers me when there are unneutered dogs at places like the dog park, where everyone is off leash and harder to control.

[LadyNymeria]

Jul 21, 2015 21:07:33 GMT -5 DanaScullyX said:

I also would never have an unaltered dog, but my question would be about how much time you might spend with other, unknown dogs. It really bothers me when there are unneutered dogs at places like the dog park, where everyone is off leash and harder to control.

Not very often. He has a bunch of dog friends in the neighborhood so he plays with them most of the time.


ETA: I am planning on calling today to schedule the appointment. This thread was caused by a bit of an emotional freakout (that I was not expecting!) when I went to call yesterday.

[cinnamonsmiles]

As someone who owns an almost-5-yr-old unaltered male dog, I'll be the person to advocate for whatever you choose.

As ours is show/breeding quality, we wanted to wait until he was at least 2 to schedule the appt for full development. Everyone we spoke to said he would end up with terrible behavior problems, be humping anything that moves, etc if we didn't get him neutered. Nothing ever happened - his personality never changed to be more aggressive. He gets humped by neutered male dogs at the dog park all the time, but most people can't even tell that he is unaltered. He's an inside dog and has never run off, so we've never seen any need to change his status. The only catch is that we cannot board him unaltered, which isn't as convenient for going on vacation without him.

DH and I did discuss getting a female as well, which we would undoubtedly neuter as we don't really want puppies (and cancer risk for females is much higher). I'm more on the fence with males, so whatever reassures you is what works.

[cinnamonsmiles]

And because yours is so cute, I also want to shamelessly AW my pup

[LadyNymeria]

Ahh yours is adorable too cinnamonsmiles!!

[rosetyler72]

Jul 21, 2015 18:34:32 GMT -5 almachs0786 said:

I'll admit to not having really researched anything, but I've never had a dog that I've not spayed/neutered. To me, it's just always seemed the responsible thing to do... Especially having spent so much time volunteering in an animal shelter, I will always recommend having your animals fixed. It's just not something I've ever considered optional.

+1 for all of this. Knowing that you could potentially prevent an unplanned litter of puppies is the reason. I have volunteered in rescues and animal shelters all my life and I have seen what happens when people don't alter their animals, oopsies do happen, so spaying and neutering is just what you do. I understand not having it done if you are a legitimate and responsible dog breeder but beyond that I think the responsible thing to do is spay and neuter. Your dog is very handsome and I totally understand being anxious about surgery. I was a mess when my dog went under for it, but it is a routine surgery that has statistically great outcomes. Good luck deciding!