Should I get my dogs neutered?

I read through this whole thread, and you honestly have no right to be so rude to everyone here. Most people here are pretty knowledgeable with animals due to owning animals most of their lives, going through multitudes of vet visits for varying diseases, and going through the spay and neuter of several pets. YOU ASKED FOR OPINIONS. Yeah, you did. So don't you dare come back and post that "you don't understand the subject matter." You could have fifteen degrees from Harvard and be a world-renowned surgeon and there are people on this forum that would still have a better knowledge base than you.

I, myself, am a college student majoring in Animal Science with a pre-veterinary medicine concentration.

I think spaying or neutering is a responsible thing to do. Accidents happen, they do. You may think you can control your dogs, but one day, for all you know, a female in heat will be wandering through your neighborhood and your dogs will run off because they aren't neutered. I'm glad you think you can control your dogs, but why would you risk it when this is such a simple procedure?

As for the cancer thing, it's better to take as many preventative measures as possible. They may or may not develop cancer if you alter them or not, but cancer is a horrible disease. I watched someone very close to me die from it, and I wouldn't put anything or anyone through that. So what if there isn't a 100% proven theory that states "if you do not remove the testicles, then your pet has a higher chance of developing cancer." There IS some linkage to cancer and the presence of testicles. If they don't have testicles, then you don't have to worry about testicular cancer, pretty common sense there.

I'm sorry I don't have "medical research" to back up my statements, but any person with a little bit of common sense can figure some of this out.

Obviously you're still going to do whatever you want in this situation, so I don't understand why you bothered asking for our opinions anyway.

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Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme13

I read through this whole thread, and you honestly have no right to be so rude to everyone here. Most people here are pretty knowledgeable with animals due to owning animals most of their lives, going through multitudes of vet visits for varying diseases, and going through the spay and neuter of several pets. YOU ASKED FOR OPINIONS. Yeah, you did. So don't you dare come back and post that "you don't understand the subject matter." You could have fifteen degrees from Harvard and be a world-renowned surgeon and there are people on this forum that would still have a better knowledge base than you.

I, myself, am a college student majoring in Animal Science with a pre-veterinary medicine concentration.

I think spaying or neutering is a responsible thing to do. Accidents happen, they do. You may think you can control your dogs, but one day, for all you know, a female in heat will be wandering through your neighborhood and your dogs will run off because they aren't neutered. I'm glad you think you can control your dogs, but why would you risk it when this is such a simple procedure?

As for the cancer thing, it's better to take as many preventative measures as possible. They may or may not develop cancer if you alter them or not, but cancer is a horrible disease. I watched someone very close to me die from it, and I wouldn't put anything or anyone through that. So what if there isn't a 100% proven theory that states "if you do not remove the testicles, then your pet has a higher chance of developing cancer." There IS some linkage to cancer and the presence of testicles. If they don't have testicles, then you don't have to worry about testicular cancer, pretty common sense there.

I'm sorry I don't have "medical research" to back up my statements, but any person with a little bit of common sense can figure some of this out.

Obviously you're still going to do whatever you want in this situation, so I don't understand why you bothered asking for our opinions anyway.

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Well said, Bri.... well said.

This is a pointless argument. I am also in the veterinary field.... you stated that your dogs' veterinarian doesn't know what she is talking about and is wrong. Well, your veterinarian went to school to become a doctor in veterinary medicine. You on the other hand, did not. So she is right when she lists the many many pros of spaying and neutering. You are not. I for one believe that absolutely no human being on this earth should be breeding animals. EXCEPT for those who know what they are doing, and I don't say that lightly!

Amen, Sasvermont!!! But you forgot something. "Here's your hat...DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON YOUR WAY OUT!!!

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Originally Posted by moosmom

Amen, Sasvermont!!! But you forgot something. "Here's your hat...DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON YOUR WAY OUT!!!

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While I agree that the OP has been less than respectful in their response to the opinion of the forum, exactly what does this accomplish?

The point should be to educate, not engage in a tit for tat battle.

Answering rude responses with more of the same just leads to flame wars and people getting a negative view of the forum. I think this thread has more than run it's course, and should be closed.

WOW - I'm gone for a few days and look what's here when I get back. I agree with sas - what a snot! I just don't understand people who come here looking for advice/opinions, and when the reply is against what the OP believes, then we're just all a bunch of idiots. Darned if I can figure why this thread was started in the first place, since the OP obviously had made up her/his mind already. Seems like he/she has a big superiority complex and enjoys talking down to others he/she believes to be below her/him self.

LH, you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

This isn't the first time a thread has gone astray and it won't be the last.

I believe we are all entitled to respond to a comment made about our response to a question. Just because you don't happen to like this thread etc. doesn't make it worthy of being "closed". It will go away eventually, just like all the others have done.

As far as giving the forum a bad rap, well, give me a break. There have been far more heated discussions than this one.

Relax a little. Life is too short to worry about situations like this.

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Originally Posted by sasvermont

As far as giving the forum a bad rap, well, give me a break. There have been far more heated discussions than this one.

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There have been, (and I've been part of some of them) but most (not by any means all) of those have been in the Dog House and aren't going to be the first thing someone sees when coming to the forum.

As to relaxing a little, to quote the mayor, "Pet talk is supposed to be a happy place" and threads like this do not contribute to that sentiment at all.

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Originally Posted by Lady's Human

There have been, (and I've been part of some of them) but most (not by any means all) of those have been in the Dog House and aren't going to be the first thing someone sees when coming to the forum.

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Moving this thread to the DH would take care of that LH.

I'd get him neutered. My male had some behavioral issues before his neuter. He is a happier dog now and I don't have to fear that he runs away.

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a.../ATT000311.gif

I think your pup needs to go on the patch, WOm. :p

Puffin' pup - not good! :p

B&BAussies - I don't know where you live, and don't know if the same applies to dogs as to cats, but why not discuss this with your breeder?

S/he should know if that particular breed has any health risks regarding neutered/non-neutered, and especially breeds from her/his kennel.

My sister got purebred cats that were not show quality, and she had to sign an agreement that she WOULD get them neutered.

Does your breeder have any rules or guidelines on this matter?

Hug your puppies for me! :)

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Originally Posted by Lady's Human

I think your pup needs to go on the patch, WOm. :p

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I thought about that, but after reading what the OP had to say, I thought it best to first get a doctorate in Dog Health before I go making educated decisions.
So that........
a) My dog won't die of lung cancer.
b) I can also write a 3000 word essay to impress everyone on PT.
:D

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Originally Posted by *LabLoverKEB*

Well said, Bri.... well said.

This is a pointless argument. I am also in the veterinary field.... you stated that your dogs' veterinarian doesn't know what she is talking about and is wrong. Well, your veterinarian went to school to become a doctor in veterinary medicine. You on the other hand, did not. So she is right when she lists the many many pros of spaying and neutering. You are not. I for one believe that absolutely no human being on this earth should be breeding animals. EXCEPT for those who know what they are doing, and I don't say that lightly!

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I agree. I am going to college to become a Humane Officer after completing the Vet Assistant program. I see too many unwanted pets to see why anyone would want to keep their animal intact. If you don't believe us, volunteer at the shelter and see for your own eyes why neutering or spaying (at least a vasectomy) is needed. I also feel sorry for your future patients since your a person who thinks that they are so smart, yet when they ask a question in something that they don't know much of, call the vet stupid, call us stupid because we don't respond the way you wanted us to (and by stupid, you just wanted us to do all the research for you so that you could use the excuse to keep your animals intact) and guess what......GROW UP AND DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH instead of BEING RUDE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE MORE EXPERTISE IN THIS. You told us that you don't know about this, SO WHY CALL US STUPID? We are probably more right then you, in fact, I feel for your dogs, because when they need vet care, you are going to go to vet to vet calling them stupid because they know more about animals then you. THEY WENT TO COLLEGE TO BECOME A VET! THEY ARE NOT STUPID (yes I know you didn't use the word stupid, but I can see it in your posts) in the end of the day I hope that you spay or neuter your dogs. You will be thankful to help in the fight of stopping unwanted litters.

BTW just because we said something you don't believe in doesn't make us stupid. With you calling us stupid for not agreeing with us, that means that your stupid for not taking our side. Don't be asking for advice at all if your not willing to hear different sides of the issue. And stop being a smart arse and thinking that your a know it all.

I don't think it's really necessary to get so personally insulting in response to the OP. Two wrongs don't make a right.