Neutering an older dog?

[Van_Dog]

On Tues. my 6 y/o intact sheltie is scheduled to have major tooth cleaning and an extraction of a broken tooth done. While he's under, my vet has really been pushing for me to have him neutered.

I've read a lot in this forum in the last day or so about neutering young dogs, but I'm really hesitant about having this done at his age.

My dog (Charlie) has no behavioral problems. He does not 'hump' anything. He's not aggresive and loves every other dog he meets. He plays occasionally with an unfixed female and has shown no sexual interest. hmmmm... maybe he's gay?

It's only days away and the opinion I'm getting from most everyone I know is to just have the dental work done and not the neutering. My vet keeps telling me about an increased risk of some cancers in unfixed dogs, but I can't find a single website which backs that claim up, including the SPCA.

If anyone has some advice I'm all ears. I'm really concerned about having 2 procedures (at opposite ends) done the same day, and the recovery time and possible complications. I'm also concerned about "personality" changes I've heard can occur when an older dog is neutered.

Sorry for the long post

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

For information on testicular cancer and its risk as well as a few other things that go on with intact older males check out the following......scroll down to Testicular Tumors and go from there. Info

Neutering is a less evasive surgery than for instance spaying a female and shouldn't be too hard on your boy even with the additional he is having done. Personally, I'd rather have him put "under" once instead of twice and would only want to make sure that ALL the pre-anesthetic blood work was done before surgery...especially since he's a bit older as well as making sure that he isn't going to be under for too long. JMO

I doubt you'll notice any change in personality or behavior from your guy.

[JackLover]

I know Barney was only 4 but he had to go under to have his ears cleaned after being bitten, i asked the vet to neuter him while he was under because I didn't want him to have to go under again, he is still his normal self, and the worry of cancer has gone, the only thing I have noticed is he cant eat as much as he used to without looking podgy, speek to your vet tell him your worries, maybe someone can preform the nuter, while another vet does the teeth, this will mean he wont be under so long. If I was you I would go ahead and neuter him, you will be giving yourself more time with him

[Cassiepeia]

Jesse was 5 when he was neutered and he was absolutely fine. Recovered quickley and hasn't had a problem since. His personality was great after he got the stiches out; playful, happy and bouncy. That was 10yrs a go and although he's older and slower now (and getting to be a bit of a grumpy old man LOL ) he's still bouncy and playful, and all together happy.

I definately think you should get your dog fixed.

Cass.

[elegy]

i'd do it, especially since he's going to be under anyway. neutering, especially in an older dog, isn't going to change the personality much at all anyway, so it's good he doesn't have any behavior problems! but, in my opinion, the health benefits are worth it.

[Van_Dog]

Thanks for the feedback. So far it 100% in favor.
I read the page you recommended Crossfire... very informative.

This is board is a great resource. I'm glad I found it!

[Shalva]

If you want to get your dog neutered then I would go ahead and do so. I wouldn't worry as the surgery is not invasive and he should heal up fine.
On the other hand I dont see the necessity of doing so if you have been able to handle him responsibly, don't let him around intact bitches and if he has no behaviors that you are concerned about. Testicular cancer is rare in dogs and the rate of prostatic cancer seems about the same. If anything I have recently read a study that states that the presence of testosterone may actually be a protective factor with "doggy dementia".

So if you want to neuter I would do so without worries and if you don't want to then don't there is no real medical reason to do so.

I have a male who is 4 and he will be neutered in January, I would prefer if he were intact as I do think it is healthier for the majority of dogs but this particular boy has seizures and they seem to increase when my girls are in season. There is no reason to subject him to that stress so he will be neutered likely in January when I can take a day or two to be with him. Considering his health problems I want to be home with him after the surgery.

I am not worried about the surgery itself.
I think this is a case of doing what you see as best.
S

[Kelly]

I agree! Neuter him!

The dental work is more invasive than a neuter. I've helped with both (I work at a vet).

[Van_Dog]

I just wanted to post a quick update... Charlie was nutered on Tuesday, along with a major dental descaling and cleaning. 48 hours later he's his old self and except for the stitches (which come out in another week) you would never know anything had been done.

I haven't even had to put that "lampshade" collar on him since he's shown no interest in licking the incision area. The vet gave me antibiotics he needs to take for week, which I successfully hide in lumps of cheddar cheeze.

Thanks everyone for the feedback and advice. I was a worried wreck for nothing

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I'm glad to hear that Charlie came through with flying colors! Give him a few extra hugs from me and I wish him a speedy recovery!

[theGOOCH]

I agree with Shalva (even if you are a Patriots fan.) Neuter your dog if you're doing it for your own (or your dog's) reasons, but don't be pressured into it.

I notice that you had it done, but I'm talking in general.

[shandoggy1]

Gooch,why are you so anti-neutering? Do you have a good reason to keep your dog intact? And even if you were going to show him wouldn't you long term still have him neutered for health reasons? I just don't understand that "male" mentality and there male dogs. I have met a couple of women over the years who wouldn't fix there males but had no valid reason. One of the dogs was a mutt too.

[JackLover]

Originally Posted by shandoggy1

Gooch,why are you so anti-neutering? Do you have a good reason to keep your dog intact? And even if you were going to show him wouldn't you long term still have him neutered for health reasons? I just don't understand that "male" mentality and there male dogs. I have met a couple of women over the years who wouldn't fix there males but had no valid reason. One of the dogs was a mutt too.

Who are you talking to?

[theGOOCH]

I never said I was anti-neutering. Do it if you like, but I choose not to. Why are you so anti-testicle?

Most of the "health reasons" are simply scare tactics to convince people to neuter. If you ask many vets and they answer honestly they will tell you this and that it is unlikely to change their personality (including agression). If you look at research studies testicular cancer is not that common and I have no aggression problems with my dog, or the 2 intact male dogs I've had in the past (and one was a pit mix) . I keep tabs on my dogs and have never had one father a litter.

Thats all I feel the need to say since I've been over this on more than one occasion on this site, but that's how I feel

[Shalva]

Originally Posted by theGOOCH

I never said I was anti-neutering. Do it if you like, but I choose not to. Why are you so anti-testicle?

Most of the "health reasons" are simply scare tactics to convince people to neuter. If you ask many vets and they answer honestly they will tell you this and that it is unlikely to change their personality (including agression). If you look at research studies testicular cancer is not that common and I have no aggression problems with my dog, or the 2 intact male dogs I've had in the past (and one was a pit mix) . I keep tabs on my dogs and have never had one father a litter.

Thats all I feel the need to say since I've been over this on more than one occasion on this site, but that's how I feel

see and this is inherently the problem in these discussions..... people start questioning the individual and attacking them calling them anti-neutering or whatever because the party line has been if you are not spaying or neutering you must be irresponsible.

I totally agree with Gooch on this (even though he likes that "other" team)..... many of the health benefits are overstated to get people to neuter but if you can be responsible with your dogs, keeping males intact is really a better option healthwise. I will be happy to share citations but my data suggests that neutering does have more deleterious effects than positive ones and that intact dogs are overall much better off.
S