Too old to be neutered?

Hello

Can anyone tell me if there is an age limit to getting a dog neutered? Chiko is 3 yrs old, is this too late? I really didn't want my dogs neutered or spayed before because of the risk of complications, but then now I keep on seeing that there are also lots of benefits....please advise.

Also, my other dog, ChiChi (age 4 1/2) had 5 puppies last year (despite our best attempt to keep her and Chiko apart during her heat), and the vet had to preform a c-section, and advised us to have her spayed during the operation, and so we did. Now I'm reading about people advising not to have their dogs spayed after giving birth...please advise as well.

Many thanx

There is absolutely no age limit to spay/neuter a dog. 3 years old is still young so the risks are very low. Neutering is a simple and quick procedure and very seldom leads to problems - these would be a reaction to the anaesthetic, for example. Do everyone a favour, go ahead with this ! :thumbs up

I'm pretty sure you did not read about NOT having your female spayed HERE ! ;)

You have given an example of the best reason why people should spay and neuter their pets - their inability to keep animals from getting pregnant and more litters to be added to the disasterous overpopulation of pets.

I'm reading about people advising not to have their dogs spayed after giving birth...please advise as well.

I don't quite understand what you mean by that? Do you mean never having them spayed after giving birth, or do you mean not having them spayed at the same time as having a C-section?

Thanks for the replies guys.

To Lucky Rescue, what I meant was that during her c-section surgery, the vet advised me to have her spayed at the same time, so I did. I'm not sure exactly where I read it, but I heard that it's not good to have a spay performed right after birth. I hope that cleared it up, and you could share your thoughts.

Having them spayed during a C-section is the best way so your dog won't need to go under anesthetic for two separate procedures.

During the C-section, the incision has already been made, and the uterus is basically lifted out anyway, so doing both at once saves the dog another major surgery.

Is there someone advising you who thinks it's better for the dog to undergo surgery twice?

May I ask you something? I do not mean to be accusatory, snide or anything other than genuinely curious, and this is something I"ve always wondered about. So please don't be offended!!

Why would you have two adult dogs, opposite sex, and both intact? I can't imagine having a bitch in heat twice a year for over 4 years in itself, never mind having an intact male in the same house.

By the way, I like your vet!!:)

Lucky Rescue - thanx again for your input. And no, no hard feelings, I want to learn more, and that's why I'm on here...this is the first pet forum that I've seen where people actually take things seriously, and it's all about pets, not like others where people start posting other crap, AND the people seem very knowledgable.

But to satisfy your curiosity question, my female was only on her second or third heat I believe since she was born when she got pregnant (I know they're sopposed to have them four times a year...but she didn't...please don't tell me there's something wrong with that, I get really hypochondriac sometimes), and my boy was only 1 1/2, and had never "humped" anything before, and it would be the first time he would be around her during her heat...and so I guess when he was in her presence during her heat, they did the deed. But like I said, eventhough I kept them apart when I was not around...it still happened, so you are right, my story can be used as a good example.

So this is an affirmitive then...3 yrs old not too old?

Lucky Rescue - sorry one more note, eventhough my male is still intact now...he's not dominant whatsoever, he's a real gentle sweetheart compared to my girl...who can be quite cranky towards him. The ONLY "male" characteristic I see from him, is when he marks EVERY SINGLE tree, branch, bush, pole, etc when I take him out.

3 yrs old not too old?

10+ is not too old, if the dog is healthy. Neutering won't stop his marking probably, but it'll stop him from making more unwanted litters.

I'm glad you're getting your pets neutered, particularly your female. Intact bitches are in great danger of getting deadly pyometra, and that risk increases with each heat cycle. Not to mention uterine and mammary cancers and more litters.

Spaying takes only one day in the vet hospital, and is inexpensive compared to C-sections and emergency spays for pyometra. It also relieves you of the worry of more puppies, when dogs are being killed in the millions every year.

I hope you gave the puppies to responsible homes, and arranged for all of them to be spayed and neutered so this mistake doesn't perpetuate itself.

Joey was neutered at about 2 and a half. It didn't stop him from marking every tree, bush, lamp post, and leaf bag in the neighborhood. But it did keep him from wanting to wander from home and pining for the ladies.

The important thing though, was that he suffered not at all from the neutering and benefitted greatly.

My Joey was neutured after age two as well. Before he ever got to sire a litter. :D :D His former owner apparently never bred him because apparently the females she was going to breed him with were too closely related to him. Anyhow I'm glad for that.

I couldnt find the record of when he was neutured but I think its after age three so you can definately get them fixed when there older, and three isnt really old. Joey also marks every tree, bush, mailbox he even marks when he has no pee left to mark with.

My parents dog Max (my childhood buddy and my dad's constant companion) was neutered at 3 1/2 yrs, and he never had an issue with marking or humping or anything. His previous owner that dumped him in the kill shelter had stated he thought it would emasculate him if he had him neutered, so he didn't (tremendously stupid if you ask me). It's really the best thing you can do for your dog and for the rest of the pet population :)

Just ask my breeder how heart wrenchiing the deadly pyometra can be, she just lost her favorite girl. Went in for an emergancy spay, and did not come ot, it was too far gone. pyometra is a very good reason to not have intact females, and unwanted litters too. Also she just neutered her 9 year old rott. He finished his show carrer, so she did not want to take a chance. Go for it!!!! he will not even know they are gone. Harley sure doesn't

Thanks everyone for your input, greatly appreciated! I will defintely be visiting the vet asap. Thanks again.

Your female is already done so it is just the male who needs the surgery. Just an added note that hasn't been touched yet. Getting him fixed is going to prevent prostate cancer.

And testicular cancer...

as far as I know it will not prevent, but decrease the risk