To neuter or not to neuter

[rubytox]

I'm really in two minds about my 7 month old Malamute. At home he behaves but I'm worried that he may be getting into the habit of peeing on people with female dogs (I have a spayed female dog usually with us).

There are loads of information on the internet, mostly encouraging people to sterilize/desex their dogs. I do understand the reasoning behind it but I have grown very fond of the Malamute (not that I don't love the other pets) and just want him to stay healthy. He is gentle, protective and always gives me something to laugh about ... a real clown.

In all honesty, I regret having had my female dog and cat spayed because they have both started displaying health problems. The female dog's personality changed after the op and she is starting to show symptoms of spine or hip problems (she's on meds).

To neuter or not to neuter???
(EDITED: TO NEUTER OR NOT TO NEUTER ..).

http://healthypets.mercola.com/site...angers-of-early-pet-spaying-or-neutering.aspx
http://www.k9mania.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6600

 

[HapticSimian]

I wouldn't attempt to have a male animal spayed...

 

[ChilliGirl]

I wouldn't attempt to have a male animal spayed...

Yip, a vet is not likely to find a womb, in a male dog...

 

[rubytox]

<BLUSH>...but you know what I mean, yeah?

 

[Hosehead]

Spayed females get Fat and I don't care what vets tell you but they get really fat.

 

[rubytox]

Spayed females get Fat and I don't care what vets tell you but they get really fat.

True but those who are in favour of early sterilization are of the opinion that people don't adjust the dog's diet accordingly. A spayed female needs less food. Now try convince your dog that she needs to eat less!

 

[Unhappy438]

Why is your dog always in the natural science section

 

[rubytox]

Why is your dog always in the natural science section

I haven't seen a thread for Biology or Physics or Animal biology ... where's it hiding? I thought Natural science includes all issues inquiring into the world of nature? My bad if I got it wrong :erm:

My post is not about dog behaviour but biology of dogs. I would like to make an informed decision ... very indecisive at the moment.

 

[Freaksta]

Personally for house pets especially cats I believe you are irresponsible if you don't do it. Cats breed like mad. People wonder why there are hundreds of animals at animal welfare and SPCA, this is part of the reason.

All our female cats are/have always been done and they havent been overweight etc our oldest cat at the moment is 19 years old. If you look after your animals and obviously have good genetics they will live just as long. I haven't read much about the pros and cons though..

My sis is a vet and she is very much for it though. Guess its up to you in the end!

 

[rubytox]

Personally for house pets especially cats I believe you are irresponsible if you don't do it. Cats breed like mad. People wonder why there are hundreds of animals at animal welfare and SPCA, this is part of the reason.

All our female cats are/have always been done and they havent been overweight etc our oldest cat at the moment is 19 years old. If you look after your animals and obviously have good genetics they will live just as long. I haven't read much about the pros and cons though..

My sis is a vet and she is very much for it though. Guess its up to you in the end!

Yes, I totally agree with you about cats, no question about that.

 

[tRoN]

It sounds cruel to castrate the poor animals against their will.
I am sure that it fusks up their mind and will definitely affect their personality and mood etc.

 

[Hosehead]

Discussion was dogs not cats.

 

[rubytox]

It sounds cruel to castrate the poor animals against their will.
I am sure that it fusks up their mind and will definitely affect their personality and mood etc.

It's not personality and mood that concerns me. Desexing/neutering does not change the animal's behaviour that much (from what I understand). The major problem seems to be that their growth plates remain open after sterilization. This may cause them to grow abnormally big with strong muscles but the ligaments don't grow with the muscles. In male dogs specifically, their chances of developing bone cancer increase significantly.

There are loads of information, such as Geriatic cognitive impairment ; female dogs becoming incontinent; increased risk of orthopedic disorders etc. etc.

I have seen a female dog who suffered from incontinence and chronic urinary tract infection. It was no joke to see this poor animal urinating slimy blood all over the place. Her owner was heartbroken and could not decide whether to euthunize the dog.

Eventually nature takes its own course but I would like to make a decision that's in the interest of my dog. He cannot get out of the yard - he will have to pass through 3 gates. Most of the articles I read do mention that they get frustrated and then become destructive by chewing lawnmowers and wooden decks ....

 

[NomNom]

I thought there was a pets subforum? Was it removed or was there never one?

 

[OMB]

I just had my 2 year old lab castrated

this came about because in Dec/Jan we had him on our farm and a neighbours bitches were on heat, all his training went straight out the window he wouldn't respond to any commands and even stopped eating regularly. Spoke to my vet on returning to Jo'burg and the advice was to castrate

 

[bwana]

Thread renamed and relocated.

What's up with always putting your thread titles in caps op?

As per the original thread title… we're looking at getting our pup spayed next week.

 

[rubytox]

I just had my 2 year old lab castrated

this came about because in Dec/Jan we had him on our farm and a neighbours bitches were on heat, all his training went straight out the window he wouldn't respond to any commands and even stopped eating regularly. Spoke to my vet on returning to Jo'burg and the advice was to castrate

Exactly my concern. My dog is well trained but I know they can be unpredictable when they sense a bitch in heat.
Did the vet recommend castration? Can they do vasectomy instead?

Thanks Bwana

 

[Hemi300c]

castration and dogs on heat makes no difference.
Dogs peeing and castration wont help much either.

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

Sometimes I think vets are just out to make money. I had a male Jack Russell that somehow managed to cut himself.

When I took him to the vet, I was told that I should have him sterilised. I kindly told the vet, thanks but no thanks and changed to another vet.

 

[Hosehead]

It's bread and butter for vets these ops. I only ever had one male neutered because I couldn't have 2 Alpha males forever killing each other in their battle for god knows what. (I am the pack leader not them) Long story short, the neuter made no difference to the males behaviour even six months down the line. It just got fat. They still fought like wild beasts and had to be relocated to different places so there is no guarantee that neutering will change aggro behaviour- it will stop the dog breeding but most responsible pet owners don't go letting their dog shag every neighbourhood bitcch in heat. I've seen un neutered Mastiffs (old ones) pine for a shag and refuse all food until the neighbourhood bitch which lives far away is off heat.