When to neuter *adopted dog? (lab, vets, breeder, cost) - - City-Data Forum

Liza54 · 07-05-2009, 08:26 AM

I may be taking a 2yr old male lab who is not neutered. When should I do this...after he's gotten comfortable in our home/ with us for a week or two or right away? How soon does this need to be done? Also, do most dogs seem different ( calmer,perhaps ) shortly after the procedure? I just don't want him to go thru too many changes at once!
thanks!

NC~Mom · 07-05-2009, 08:36 AM

How soon? It could/should have been done when he was a pup...but it's never too late.
I would do it right away, and then he can come home and settle in with your family.
I doubt you'll notice much difference due to being neutered.

rnc76 · 07-05-2009, 08:44 AM

ASAP IMO

I doubt you'll notice much difference right away. Over few weeks though he'll probably calm down a little. He'll also probably be more tolerant of other male dogs.

livesintriangle · 07-05-2009, 08:48 AM

I agree, as soon as you can! No reason to wait, really.

cat1116 · 07-05-2009, 08:58 AM

My hubby and I have had 5 dogs throughout these years - all adopted, in a manner of speaking. One was 5 yrs old when he came to our house from the local humane society. They told us the previous owners turned him in after he had run off on more than one occasion. Their requirement was to get us to have him neutured, which we did. One day while we were at work, our front door blew open somehow and our two dogs went out to "explore their surroundings". When we came home that evening, they were both laying on the front lawn w/ their front paws crosssed, as if to say, "what took you so long?" Too cute. I think we were both relieved to see them. Perhaps the neutering helped? He could have still been wandering but the fact that he was waiting for us in our yard, says something.
Pups neuturing or spaying don't really seem to notice the difference as much as an older dog. Many vets do try to say to get the pooch fixed early on and not to wait. I had heard that pups under 5 months should wait til their 6th month, at least, but not sure if that's 100% true.
The older and heavier the pooch is tho the more difficult the operation and cost involved because of the aneasthia.

mrs1885 · 07-05-2009, 10:08 AM

Yep, immediately. I pull dogs from the shelter and do them ASAP. And they've been through just as much as your newly adopted dog. It really doesn't even phase them that much. And the sooner the better for them medically and hormonally / behaviorally.

And thank you for adopting and saving a life!!

Shagbark Hickory · 07-05-2009, 10:12 AM

No reason to do it immediately either.
Sorry for my dissent on this issue but what's the rush?

You do not NEED to neuter your dog.

IF this is an indoor dog and you have a fenced yard and supervise when they are outdoors as you should be regardless, then there is a 0% chance they are going to make any puppies.

It's still a good idea to do it but I'd wait until your dog is settled.

I'm actually kind of surprised that the place you adopted from didn't require this or even let you leave without having this done.

Liza54 · 07-05-2009, 10:28 AM

We're getting him from a family. Don't know why they didn't have it done earlier. I think I''ll get it done asap, so he can really settle in w/us afterwards. I hate to have his first couple days w/ us in pain, especiallly b/c my young kids want to be w/him right away!

NC~Mom · 07-05-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liza54

We're getting him from a family. Don't know why they didn't have it done earlier. I think I''ll get it done asap, so he can really settle in w/us afterwards. I hate to have his first couple days w/ us in pain, especiallly b/c my young kids want to be w/him right away!

His pain shouldn't be that bad...they will give you an extra pain management RX if you ask....but I really doubt he'll need it....these guys usually seem to bounce right back pretty quickly....just give him lots of love and soft cuddles.

mrs1885 · 07-05-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shagbark Hickory

No reason to do it immediately either.
Sorry for my dissent on this issue but what's the rush?

You do not NEED to neuter your dog.

IF this is an indoor dog and you have a fenced yard and supervise when they are outdoors as you should be regardless, then there is a 0% chance they are going to make any puppies.

It's still a good idea to do it but I'd wait until your dog is settled.

I'm actually kind of surprised that the place you adopted from didn't require this or even let you leave without having this done.

Dogs aren't spayed / neutered only because of accidental litters. Reproductive cancer rate soar the older a dog gets. If I remember by the time they're like 7 years old there's a 50% risk of testicular cancer in males. Females are very prone to mammary cancers and uterine / ovarian cancer as well.

Aside from the medical reason, there are behavior issues associated with unaltered males and females. Spraying, moodiness, escaping, etc.

There's no reason to not neuter / spay a dog unless you are a responsible, reputable breeder that is trying to improve the lines of a pure bred working or showing dog.