[ldragon]

My golden puppy is just 6 month, and I started to research to see when will be the best time to get my puppy neutered?

 

[jwemt81]

I strongly believe in waiting until the dog is between 18 and 24 months old. They really need the hormones to mature and develop properly.

Here is a very informative article on the subject: http://www.veterinarypracticenews.c...d-beyond/is-early-neutering-hurting-pets.aspx

 

[Emma&Tilly]

Definitely not when he's still a puppy! I would wait until at least 18 months to 2 years. Research or not I feel it is absolute common sense to let any animal mature with the hormones intended. If you are a responsible owner there are very, very few reasons to rush this operation.

 

[Annie08]

Scout, who is 6 months old, just got neutered today. My husband just picked him up from the vet and the poor guy is pretty sleepy right now.

 

[ldragon]

Scout, who is 6 months old, just got neutered today. My husband just picked him up from the vet and the poor guy is pretty sleepy right now.

do you have any good reason to do it at 6 months?

In fact, I am thinking of get my puppy neutered pretty soon as well, but also love to heard some different opinions.

 

[jwemt81]

do you have any good reason to do it at 6 months?

In fact, I am thinking of get my puppy neutered pretty soon as well, but also love to heard some different opinions.

The only real reason why vets try to enourage early neutering/spaying is to prevent any accidental breedings. We actually just saw a different vet a couple of months ago when we took our dogs in for shots and he totally supported waiting until at least 18 months. Tucker will probably be going in to have it done next month when he turns 18 months old. We have the same plans of waiting until at least 18 months with our new pup as well.

 

[Willow52]

I strongly believe in waiting until the dog is between 18 and 24 months old. They really need the hormones to mature and develop properly.

Here is a very informative article on the subject: http://www.veterinarypracticenews.c...d-beyond/is-early-neutering-hurting-pets.aspx

I totally agree.

Another great article about this subject. Hopefully with all the evidence pointing toward later neuter/spay for a healthier pet, the 'earlier-the-better' trend will start to shift.

 

[Tahnee GR]

Here are a number of articles on spay/neuter and age.

I know I have changed my stance-and my contract:

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/neutr.html

http://www.dolittler.com/2008/6/15/...r.spay.castration.cruciate.hip.dysplasia.html

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...TFJ6_-&sig=AHIEtbQBcUQrq3PRT7V6We99o9LV_brz0g Rhonda Hovan's article

http://www.thedogplace.org/Articles/DogCare/Bad-Medicine/09051-Spay-Neuter_Andrews.asp

http://users.lavalink.com.au/theos/Spay-neuter.htm#vacc

http://www.theriogenology.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=53

http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.231.11.1665

http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/castrationindogs.html

http://www.acc-d.org/2006 Symposium Docs/Session I.pdf

http://www.mmilani.com/commentary-200509.html


This really surprised me (from the above), as I had believed this too

Another cancer Dr Hahn discusses that deserves mention is prostate cancer because a lot of people erroneously believe that castration prevents this. In reality, it does not. In fact, castrated dogs have up to a 4 times greater risk of developing prostate cancer than intact animals. At the same time, spayed or neutered dogs have a 1.5 to 3 times greater chance of developing bladder cancer. Because of this, rectal examinations and abdominal palpation should always be part of a routine veterinary physical examination.

I prefer that pet males be neutered after 18 months, unless there are other, contributing issues. My lines mature very slowly, and I believe it makes good sense to delay it.