Need some input..when are they too young?

[jaimie]

Ok, went to the vet today for a consult on Zeus's ear cropping. So he is 9 weeks and we are going to do the cropping next week (the day after he turns 10 weeks) and I asked the vet if she would be willing to do the neutering now too. I see no reason why he should have to go under anesthesia more than once. She had no problem with it and I know when pups are in rescues/pounds they do them early. So, I have heard you want to wait until they are 4-6 months. But for what reason? If they are going to be neutered anyway why wait? Is there any difference between having it done at 10 weeks and having it done 2 months later? When we got Britnee we had her spayed and ears cropped at the same time (she was 10 weeks also) with no problems....she never had any spay incontinence problems....Baylee had her spay at 9 months and has had all sorts of problems, Brandy is also having spay incontinence issues just not as bad as Baylee though. I just wanted some information from my BW family.

Thanks

 

[Shanz]

i think the problem is that beacuse theyre so young, they may not come out of anesthesia (sp?) just like the risks with human babies. By keeping him under longer with botht he ears and being fixed, i think you run a greater risk of side effects from the anesthesia

 

[courtney323]

Jaimie,

I'm no expert but I would probably do the same thing you are! Why put them under anesthesia 2x's? Plus, in rescue here, I have seen them do it as young as 6 weeks (yikes!) but with no problems.

Good luck - can't wait to see pics of Mr Zeus! What does Baylee think of him?

 

[Holden's Mom]

A couple of months ago I happened to be at PetSmart looking at the cats when the shelter owner of Tails A Wagin' came to clean and feed the cats. We chatted and she told me she had just returned from a conference encouraging juvenile spay neuter. This no kill shelter was going to spay and neuter as early as 6 weeks, both puppies and kittens. It must be the latest.
It seems to me the less anyone goes under the better.

Just my 2 cents.

Pam and Pete

 

[jaimie]

Thanks everyone for your input. I talked it over with hubby and we ARE going to do both of them together. Just because I see no need for him to go through anesthesia more than once. It kinda reminds me of my sister....She had a c/section and she wanted to wait until her baby was 6 months old to get her tubes tied. The Dr said why when you are already open don't you go through both at the same time (it makes no difference to the Dr cuz he doesn't get paid anymore either way). She ended up getting it done, but it only makes since they are under the anesthesia anyway why not!? Thanks everyone I just needed to hear it from my other family...:D

 

[Jan]

Personally, there is no way that I would spay so young! There was a very interesting article in the Whole Dog Journal a month ago that supports that view.

 

[jaimie]

Jan-What reason would you not neuter so young? I am just wondering I wanted to get different views on this. Would you wait and have him go through anesthesia a few months down the road? That is the only thing I worry about I have heard so many horror stories of dogs having problems from anesthesia. I posted cuz I want opinions I don't get whole dog journal right now (I moved and the new people that bought my house were getting it :rolleyes: so needless to say I have yet to renew when it ran out in August).

Thanks for the input!

 

[Jan]

There is evidence to suggest that when they are spayed too young, they never mature properly. They are also more inclined to be incontinent when they are spayed to young. I can't find the article right now, but it was the Sept issue. Tara's breeder insisted that she not be spayed until after her heat and it was actually written into the purchase agreement. It's a bit of a trade off as when you spay before before their first heat it greatly decreases the risk of mammary cancer. You have to decide what is more important to you.

If you are so concerned about putting her to under anesthesia, why are you cropping at all? Now I'm not saying that you shouldn't as I believe it's a personal choice. I confess that I cropped Markus and I prefer the look, but I wouldn't do it again. I think they look softer and more friendly with uncropped ears.

Good luck in your decision. I will have another look for the article.

 

[courtney323]

Jan - she is talking about neutering a male puppy though. Do you think the same applies?

Spaying seems to be a lot more intense than neutering. All the male pups (6-10 weeks) that have been neutered in rescue seem to bounce back very quickly. But I don't know anything about the growth/maturity aspect!

Good luck Jaimie -- he sure is CUTE

 

[Jan]

Oop's, where did I get the idea that it was a female. No, it doesn't not apply to males. The article did say that they didn't find any negative effects from neutering young.