Hi I have 2 labradors. The oldest is a girl called Minstrel who is 5. The youngest is a boy called Simba who is 6 months. When we first got Simba we thought we would get him neutered when he is old enough. However after listening to advice from others we started to consider having Minstrel spayed instead, as our vet now offers keyhole surgery. My husband phoned our vets today and they questioned our decision for minstrel to have surgery instead of Simba. They also said we can have Simba done now if his testicles have dropped. Whereas from what I have read they do not recommend neutering before 8 months and preferably at a year. The vet advised that for Simba it will cost £200 and there is no waiting list. For Minstrel it would be about £400 and there is a waiting list so we would be looking at the end of October. The reason we did not have Minstrel done earlier is our vets have only recently offered keyhole surgery and I did not want to put minstrel through having a large abdominal incision - as I myself had a major abdominal surgery and have a scar that goes all the way across my upper abdomen and still causes pain and discomfort 2 years after surgery. I am so confused as to which way to go now. I suppose I want the one that causes the least amount of change in the dog. Any advice will be welcome as I really don't know which way to go and I definitely don't want them to produce any puppies!!!!!! Lisa x
I would question a vet (especially in the UK) who recommends neutering a dog at 6 months. Do your research, this isn't something a modern vet would recommend. It's advised to wait until all growth has finished and he is physically mature, which probably won't be until at least 18 months. I'm sorry, but for me this would raise some serious trust issues between me and my vet! When I brought home my two pups, one of each, I decided that the best course of action was to have my bitch spayed rather than my boy neutered. It seemed the best decision for all concerned at the time. I wish I hadn't had it done as early as I did, but, given the same circumstances, I would choose again to spay the bitch. Now I have an entire bitch as well, who is just having her first season. I don't know if I will have her spayed or not yet, but I definitely won't be neutering my boy. However, our circumstances have changed and we now have two properties (one in Spain and one in Andorra), so we can separate the dogs if necessary. This time around, Shadow has the Suprelorin implant - through force of circumstance rather than choice - so we don't have to worry about any "accidents". I would say: your boy is too young. Far too young. I know people who do have their dog neutered early and have no problems, but it's something that I just wouldn't do. If you choose that neutering him is the best course of action, then I would suggest you look into keeping him entire until he is fully mature, and sending him to stay somewhere else when your bitch is fertile.
Hi Lisa, I can't comment on Minstrel as I have always owned dogs - now with our fourth. The first thing that surprises me is the cost of neutering Simba. Our dog, Barti, was neutered a month ago and the cost was £80 and that included taking him back to have the stitches out. The process was not pleasant for Barti, his testicles were swollen after the operation and he kept licking them. They genital area looked a slightly inflamed. However, soon after the stitches came out he settled quickly. Our breeder, and she has bred all four dogs, advised us to wait till well after a year before neutering a dog. Barti was 15 months. The breeder says that early neutering adversely affects the growth of the skull. We were doubtful about having him neutered at all. However, we live in a farming area with lots of sheepdog bitches and decided that neutering would be the kindest thing. Barti seems the same as before - lively and contented. With the experience of having four dogs neutered, same breed line and a puppy bought after a dog died (terrible experience) I think neutering is not unduly distressing to the dog. This doesn't seem like much help but I wanted you to know someone understands and sympathises with your concerns. Good luck. Broga
In your circumstance , I would opt for spaying the bitch , mainly due to the risk of pyometra in older bitches . I definitely wouldn't castrate a dog at six months of age though , modern thinking is that its much better to wait until the dog is fully grown .
I have a boy and girl dog. We left Fred (who is now 3) and had Annie sprayed, using the Laparoscopic spaying. She was 6mths old and was in just one morning. We picked her up at 2. She was great, you would not know she had anything done. I think it was about £300, but would have it done again if I had a female dog. She will be 2 in November and never had a problem. She was on lead walk for about a week I think. I never have my male dogs neutered. Remember they are your dogs, it is up to you and no one else. Good luck.
After going through pyometra with my girl (she was only 1 years old and it's extremely rare at this age) and luckily it was picked up in time to operate. I would opt to spay your girl to prevent this happening - it is more prevalent in older females so better to get it done sooner rather than later.
After having dogs and bitches together, I would always spay a bitch. pyometra is nasty, life threatening. My vet would not neuter a male unless they had sexualised behaviour. So my Harry went to the grave age 13 intact and Jasper was done at 9 poor lad when Meg joined the family and he was rather in love. it seems bizarre to have a waiting list to spay a bitch as you have to fit around her seasons. Perhaps find another vet ? Also have had 3 bitches who have been spayed abdominally, its not bothered any of them a jot.
I agree with all the above about when to do it, but we only have one girl so can't commentt on male v female. But let them grow up in my book. We waited until Vanilla had her first season and she was about 15months old. One think that our government are making mandatory from next July is all dogs to be neutored/spayed by 6months old. Exemptions are breeders and health issues. Or like me if our next pup has no health issues (will get the vet to say she has though as they disagree with this) become a rebel and deal with the fine. She will be going through a season.
Have decided to get minstrel spayed via keyhole surgery. She is going in this Thursday. It has not been an easy decision but the idea of it being keyhole has help a lot even though this is a more costlier option. As I myself have a scar which goes from one side of my abdomen right to the other side and I still get a lot of discomfort from it 2 years after surgery. Lisa x
I think I'd be very reluctant to have my bitch neutered until they've had their first season. Soon they'll be telling us what poo bags and food to use. They are our dogs and so long as you are a responsible owner then I will do what I and my vet feels best for for her and what is better for her at that time
