When to neuter

[Punkygirl0101]

I know this is a debate, on whether to neuter before or after 6 months of age. All of our female dogs (Except Jannah), were done when they were around 4-5 months of age. And our boys (Other than Harry and Bob who are not neutered,and of course Zen) we got them done after 6 months, but before a year.

When should I get Zen neutered? His testicles are pretty much descended. Hes already starting (Hes only 10 weeks old!!) to lift his leg. But, hes also showing some unwanted behavioral issues that I am about to make a thread about.

oh, and when Zen goes in to get neutered Bob is going with him.

[SpringerLover]

I think that I would do it after six months. They're small breed dogs, which makes me not worry so much about developmental stuff. But I don't think it's safe to do it before six months.

Good luck.

[Ritz459]

About size, we took Pheobe in to get her spay and declaw (she's a kitten, not a dog ) when she was around five months old. She weighed maybe six pounds and went through the surgery fine.
I took Chloe in for a spay when she was also around five months old (Chloe PMSing would NOT have been fun so I didn't want to chance her going through a heat) and she weighed around 40lbs...no problem with the spay.

A nueter isn't as invasive of a surgery as a spay and I know most humane societies spueter puppies before placing them into homes, so I imagine that if you wanted to you could get him nuetered now. He's almost three months old, so....

I'd talk to your vet. With small animals, it really isn't a developmental issue like Springer said, more of a size issue. Blackie has been the only male dog we've ever had (poor guy) and we got him nuetered when he was around 3 years of age, so that situation probably isn't going to help you out much.

[Sophie45]

I've heard the standard 6 month recommended spay/neuter age is because of the development of their teeth, because if by 6 months their milk teeth have not fallen out and replaced by their adult teeth (some dogs have "double rows"-their baby tooth gets pushed out in front or to the side of their adult teeth rather than falling out) and they would require anesthesia to remove these teeth, and it is much better for the dog to have both tooth extraction and spaying/neutering addressed simultaneously and reduce the amount of procedures on the young pup's body.

Anyone else hear that?


I really think-especially if their is behavioral issues going on-that a younger neuter might be warranted, but I really doubt before 4 months old. Get him enrolled in puppy kindergarten ASAP, too. Ask the trainer what their experiences are with young pups acting like he is. I would call a few vets as well as good behavior specialists in your area to get second and third opinions.

I know some vets neuter at 12 weeks. (I am NOT agreeing with that, IMO that is waaaay to young, but just pointing it out...)

[calgal]

The Vets I've gone to like to wait till after they are 8 months so that the testosterone can kick in which helps muscle bulk up. I've seen male pups neutered at three months old, but was not around to see if they developed properly. Good question!!! Wish there was a definitive answer, but even from one Vet. to another you will find some different views. I'd say just do what you feel needs to be done and when it needs to be done.

[Cassiepeia]

This is an interesting topic. I'm wondering when the best time is too. There are so many different points of view on this.

Cass.

[SpringerLover]

From a purely performance standpoint (which doesn't apply to many people/dogs, not even mine right now)... I wouldn't be neutering a dog until age three or older unless it is a cryptochrid. A dog that is going to be using it's body hard for many, many years needs to be fully developed, IMO.

A typical pet doesn't need that. I'm all for spaying/neutering between six months and a year old for pet people. It prevents accidents and typically, it won't adversely affect the dog.

I like when my Buzz-dog was neutered (not the right reasons but... it worked out well). 28 months was about the 'perfect' time as he seems to be quite 'filled out' which is a good thing.

[Cassiepeia]

I had a cat called Grim, whom I didn't neuter until age 3 (not a good decision because he started spraying right before he got fixed ) But I loved the way he turned out physically. He was a huge, gorgeous and solid boy. I did often wonder if he would have turned out smaller and more lanky if he'd been neutered earlier. Of course I'll never know.

Cass.