Should I get my dogs neutered?

[*LabLoverKEB*]

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.

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!

[DriftyAlison0]

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!

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.

[K9soul]

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.

[pomtzu]

People shouldn't dish it out if they can't take it. Tit for tat!!!

[Cataholic]

This 'should I neuter or should I not' debate reminds me about seat belts. Yep, seat belts.

I am a huge proponent of seat belt usage. From time to time, I run into someone that says, "the officer/fireman said if I had my seat belt on, I would have died, so I don't wear it". Not only do I find this hugely irresponsible of the officer/fireman, but it is usually in such a rare, limited, "maybe its true" type of situation that it even makes sense.

I think that same way about neutering. When I *know* how many animals are put to death- each and every day in this country- I cannot come up with enough reason to ever not neuter your pet. Each and every litter avoided helps.

[frankie]

Hi, lurker here who registered to briefly weigh in on this topic.

B&Baussies, if you are still studying at a tertiary level, you should have access to a fair number of academic journals - just do a quick search for the risks and benefits of gonadectomy in dogs. There are a fair number of good, recent reviews. I'd provide links but most of them require a subscription. A review of the evidence (non-peer reviewed but well cited) is also available here.

Veterinary medicine is based on evidence and, like human medicine, must weigh up both population and individual health. I tend to think castration of domestic animals has most benefit at a population level, but that's not to say there aren't individual benefits as well.

I hope you find the answers you're looking for.

[Bonny]

Hi, lurker here who registered to briefly weigh in on this topic.

B&Baussies, if you are still studying at a tertiary level, you should have access to a fair number of academic journals - just do a quick search for the risks and benefits of gonadectomy in dogs. There are a fair number of good, recent reviews. I'd provide links but most of them require a subscription. A review of the evidence (non-peer reviewed but well cited) is also available here.

Veterinary medicine is based on evidence and, like human medicine, must weigh up both population and individual health. I tend to think castration of domestic animals has most benefit at a population level, but that's not to say there aren't individual benefits as well.

I hope you find the answers you're looking for.

thank you frankie that is all worth while reading & very helpful.