Right age to neuter?

joantan · 06-26-2005, 03:41 AM

What is the right age to neuter a dog? I was at the vet yesterday and was told that my 4 month old is too young - I was under the impression that its better to neuter them young. I am really new at this so am not too sure about it.

The thing is that I have two dogs - the other one is 7 months and I'd rather neuter them at the same time.

poodlesmom · 06-26-2005, 06:46 AM

There are many opinions on this topic. Some vets says 8 wks is OK, others say 6 months. Some people say for females after the 1st heat.

Through the 30+ years I have had dogs I have always had them spayed/neutered at 6 mos. and haven't encountered any problems.

Did your vet tell you what he felt was the appropriate age?

BellFounder · 06-26-2005, 07:08 AM

4 months is a bit young unless you're laser neutering. For a regular neuter 6months is recommended bu most vets these days.

joantan · 06-26-2005, 07:33 AM

She said 7 months would be ideal

Novel · 06-26-2005, 09:01 AM

poodlesmom is correct. You can spay or neuter as early as 8 weeks, but there are many different theories and schools of thought as to which age is appropriate.
6 months is about the norm for both males and females.
By 6 months the testes should have descended into the scrotum of the male, but the hormones haven't kicked into overcharge yet. When you neuter at this age, your dog will most likely keep his boyish appearance, and the surgery is the most common.

Barrett · 06-26-2005, 12:37 PM

My vet spayed Lucy at 4 months of age. I thought Lucy was too young but she was on a spay contract from the pound and had to be done in a certain amount of time. Bailey was spayed at 6 months of age, before her first heat.

JackLover · 06-27-2005, 05:44 AM

When we has a rescue Bitch they wanted her to have her first heat before spaying, whats your other dog, is it a dog or a bitch?

BellFounder · 06-27-2005, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackLover

When we has a rescue Bitch they wanted her to have her first heat before spaying, whats your other dog, is it a dog or a bitch?

This advice has now been withdrawn in most places. It was based on the theory that the urinary system would not develop properly if the internal genetalia was removed. This has now been shown to not be the case.

flyndog · 06-27-2005, 03:01 PM

Yes, I understand it should be done *before* the first heat, not after.

JackLover · 06-27-2005, 05:34 PM

strange this was only a year ago! I have never had to have a dog nutered before so its all new to me

Pugdawg1 · 06-27-2005, 05:49 PM

I prefer to do it right at six months.. personal preference.

joantan · 06-27-2005, 07:08 PM

They are both male. We had a female pup the same age as well but I gave her to my parents. Local council ruling - 2 dogs per household.

06-26-2005, 03:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
joantan Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	Right age to neuter? What is the right age to neuter a dog? I was at the vet yesterday and was told that my 4 month old is too young - I was under the impression that its better to neuter them young. I am really new at this so am not too sure about it. The thing is that I have two dogs - the other one is 7 months and I'd rather neuter them at the same time.
joantan Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0

06-26-2005, 06:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
poodlesmom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: upstate NY Posts: 1,389 Rep Power: 112	There are many opinions on this topic. Some vets says 8 wks is OK, others say 6 months. Some people say for females after the 1st heat. Through the 30+ years I have had dogs I have always had them spayed/neutered at 6 mos. and haven't encountered any problems. Did your vet tell you what he felt was the appropriate age?
	__________________ Denise a/k/a Poodlesmom

06-26-2005, 07:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
joantan Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	She said 7 months would be ideal
joantan Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0

06-26-2005, 09:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Novel Mush Face Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,991 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 220	poodlesmom is correct. You can spay or neuter as early as 8 weeks, but there are many different theories and schools of thought as to which age is appropriate. 6 months is about the norm for both males and females. By 6 months the testes should have descended into the scrotum of the male, but the hormones haven't kicked into overcharge yet. When you neuter at this age, your dog will most likely keep his boyish appearance, and the surgery is the most common.
	__________________ ~~~My Blog~~~

06-27-2005, 05:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
JackLover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England Posts: 293 Rep Power: 69	When we has a rescue Bitch they wanted her to have her first heat before spaying, whats your other dog, is it a dog or a bitch?
	__________________ "Jack Russell Terriers are like potato chips one is never enough"

06-26-2005, 07:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
BellFounder Collie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 399 Rep Power: 82	4 months is a bit young unless you're laser neutering. For a regular neuter 6months is recommended bu most vets these days.

06-26-2005, 12:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 157	My vet spayed Lucy at 4 months of age. I thought Lucy was too young but she was on a spay contract from the pound and had to be done in a certain amount of time. Bailey was spayed at 6 months of age, before her first heat.

06-27-2005, 03:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
flyndog Unleash The Possibilities Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Marfa, TX Posts: 3,969 Rep Power: 183	Yes, I understand it should be done before the first heat, not after.
	__________________ mARFa Dog Training and Behavior

06-27-2005, 05:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
JackLover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: England Posts: 293 Rep Power: 69	strange this was only a year ago! I have never had to have a dog nutered before so its all new to me
	__________________ "Jack Russell Terriers are like potato chips one is never enough"

06-27-2005, 05:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
Pugdawg1 Pug Mom Join Date: May 2004 Location: Elko, Nevada Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 136	I prefer to do it right at six months.. personal preference.
	__________________ www.PugSavers.com

06-27-2005, 07:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
joantan Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	They are both male. We had a female pup the same age as well but I gave her to my parents. Local council ruling - 2 dogs per household.
joantan Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0

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