Neutering/Spaying: What age?

[bckrazy]

I feel that mixed breed dogs & pet dogs *unless they're giant breeds* should be neutered/spayed before they're sexually mature and able to reproduce... ideally 6 months. Fozzie was neutered at 6 months, and even if the rescue didn't require him to be neutered by then, I would've done it.

I know we're all responsible owners here, but accidents CAN and DO happen. Not only that... but an unaltered dog is much more likely to feel the need to roam. And, unfortunately, most people don't even realize when their female dogs are in heat; much less do they keep them locked away during it. I definitely want to prevent my dogs running off and impregnating unattended female dogs as much as I possibly can. Plus, lots of behavior problems really are avoided when those raging hormones are subdued. That is compared to the few and rare affects of speutering at 6 months.

That said, I definitely would avoid altering any young puppy. 4-6 months is ideal, imho. And puppies do heal incredibly fast & easily!

[wolfsoul]

My vet was active in a research intended to see the effects of spaying and neutering at different ages. They found that altering before the dog's growth plates closed gave the dog a higher chance of bone cancer as opposed to the lower chance of the other cancers it could get from allowing it to mature sexually. Cancer is becoming a common thing in Belgians, and I have yet to see a case of any testicular/mammary cancer in a Belgians, but plenty of bone cancer. Therefore, I choose to wait until the dog is done growing -- no matter the breed, for me.

[BC_MoM]

I agree with .sarah. Looking at the posts and reading how young some of your dogs were spayed/neutered makes me sick - especially the only several week old puppies. It's SO hard on their bodies!

[wolf_Q]

I agree with .sarah. Looking at the posts and reading how young some of your dogs were spayed/neutered makes me sick - especially the only several week old puppies. It's SO hard on their bodies!

Wow, what a rude post. So it makes you sick that I had Nebo neutered at 4 months old and I plan to have Keva spayed ASAP (she's 5 1/2 months)? Just FYI Kay did not CHOOSE to spay Kiara and Nala that young, she adopted them from the shelter and the shelter spays/neuters the dogs before they can go home. I've been around both dogs and they are perfectly healthy.

I agree that spaying/neutering that young is not the best choice....but the shelters have had so many people adopt puppies then not hold their end of the deal by spaying/neutering its the only way they can completely prevent those dogs from producing more puppies later. The amount of dogs put to sleep every day makes me a lot more sick then spaying/neutering young pups.

[Vela]

Couldn't agree more Amy. I personally know someone who adopted two dogs from a rescue, signed a contract saying she would have them fixed, and never bothered to do it. It was "too expensive". The one female bred with another dog, had a false pregnancy, got a massive infection, and nearly died from "breeding" with a stray neighborhood dog, not to mention she got herpes or something! If people were responsible then shelters and rescues wouldn't have to do that, but since there is no way to know who is lying and who isn't...they have to have policy.

I also think it is inappropriate and rude to say things like "that makes me sick" when you aren't in another person's shoes and don't know anything about their situation. I'm GLAD Kay's dogs were fixed so early, look at the home they have now! Good trade off IMO.

I plan on getting Soda done at 6-7 months, as long as everything is good with her. I think people should do it at whatever time they feel is right and recommended by their personal vet and nobody ought pass judgement on it. Not everybody feels the same but there is no need to be rude about it.

[lizbud]

Smokey and Buddy at 6 mos. Maggie spayed at 5 1/2 mos. All the kitties,
within a few weeks of getting each of them.

[BC_MoM]

wolf_Q & Vela: I'm simply stating my opinion. I am entitled to it.

Just FYI, I was not "rude" because this was Kay's thread. I was not directing my post at anyone specific.

LOL, Gosh.

[CathyBogart]

I agree with .sarah. Looking at the posts and reading how young some of your dogs were spayed/neutered makes me sick - especially the only several week old puppies. It's SO hard on their bodies!

Puppies recover from surgery and anesthesia MANY TIMES FASTER than adult dogs do. The same thing goes for kittens/cats.

[wolf_Q]

I agree with .sarah. Looking at the posts and reading how young some of your dogs were spayed/neutered makes me sick - especially the only several week old puppies. It's SO hard on their bodies!

Uhh how is this not specifically referring to people who posted in this thread?

wolf_Q & Vela: I'm simply stating my opinion. I am entitled to it.

Just FYI, I was not "rude" because this was Kay's thread. I was not directing my post at anyone specific, stop being so defensive.

Gosh. LOL.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion. I don't have a problem with your opinion, others said the same thing. I just don't appreciate the way you said it. Also, I'm entitled to mine...that your post was rude.

[K9soul]

Offensive and accusing way of stating your opinion: "...reading how young some of your dogs were spayed/neutered makes me sick"

Non-offensive way of stating your opinion: I don't agree with early spaying/neutering.

If someone stated that a specific way you cared for your dogs makes them "sick," I just bet you might be a little put off.

[BC_MoM]

I am not saying the PEOPLE in this thread make me sick. Don't attempt to twist my words.

I've seen many accusing others of "rude" posts, post rude posts themselves on their opinions of things.

Anyway, though, I don't have time for this. I'm sorry if you took offence to my post, it was not intended to be so.

[Kfamr]

I am not saying the PEOPLE in this thread make me sick. Don't attempt to twist my words.

I've seen many accusing others of "rude" posts, post rude posts themselves on their opinions of things.

Anyway, though, I don't have time for this. I'm sorry if you took offence to my post, it was not intended to be so.

Lets bring the drama and highschool antics elsewhere, please.

I was looking for opinions, however, there's no reason for them to be stated so rudely. Being that my dogs were among the youngest spayed in this thread, your comment was incredibly rude. And yes, it was specified and directed towards several of us.

Although you share the same opinion with her, Sarah stated her opinion eloquently without stepping on anyone's toes.

As Amy stated, the shelter my dogs were adopted from spay/neuter before they are adopted. I had no choice as many others have no choice when it comes to adoption/rescue.



Everyone else, thank you for remaining civil and posting your opinions/thoughts/advice politely. I will mosty definetly have him done before our trip to Utah, so no worries about Nebo not liking him. But I cannot decide to have it done this month or wait until April.

[coco-bean]

coco was "i think" right around 6 months old. i forget the exact age. Cainan hasnt been yet and im still not for sure what i want to do with him, he's not aggressive at all(coco is the dominant one...she prooves it ALL the time) and he's just a sweet as can be, never marks his territory just does his business then off to the next tree to sniff or puddle to play in, he's almost 10 months now. and corona isnt old enough, i would never do it any earlier then 6 months anyway. I want to get corona healthy before i throw something like that in the mix!