age for neutering??

[hapixbuni]

:confused: wats the youngest age you can neuter your dog?? and around how much does it usually cost??

[DiggityDogs]

There are places that will neuter your dog very young, I think at 8 weeks even, it's called a pediatric neuter, but most people will agree that it's safest (from the standpoint of having to be anesthetised) that you wait until the dog is 6 months. The pediatric neuter is usually done in a shelter type situation so that the shelter can ensure that this dog will not be able to produce, since people often promise to get the pet neutered but never follow through. The cost depends on the vet you go to. I'm not sure what it's like in your area, but in mine if you go to the SPCA vet's office to have it done it's about $45, and going to a private vet clinic it can run up to $250. Each vet will determine the cost by weight, but the SPCA usually has a flat fee. There are likely to be other low cost options in your area as well, you'd want to check with the humane society and any city shelters that are in your area as they would have the best information on lower cost alternatives to private clinics.

[canvasjockey]

The clinic I work at recommends that the dog or cat be neutered (or spayed) as soon as possible after they get their first Rabies vaccine (at 4 months). We will do (and have done) it earlier, and suggest getting it done by 6 months at the latest - especially in females where you want to spay before the first heat cycle. Some Vets prefer waiting till 6 months, others don't even want to wait till 4 months, so that's just something you'll have to ask about.

As far as pre-pubescent spay/neuters (8-16 weeks of age), I've researched it and seen, even assisted, on many. Both in my personal experience and what I've read from various study's done, younger animals actually seem to handle surgery and anesthesia better. I'm usually the one who is by their side, stethescope in hand, from the time the arrive, through sedation, induction, surgery, and waking up. The younger they are the quicker they wake up and bounce back, and the actual surgery takes less time.

Both my dogs were done at the Humane Society. My female Rottie was spayed at 3 months - she was up and chewing up the house (back to normal :rolleyes: ) that evening! My male mystery mix was neutered at 5 1/2 months. He took some time coming truly out of it, he wasn't really out of the "fog" until 24 hours later.

Diggity was right on with the costs - it can vary, just call around - but know your pup's weight as it can factor into the cost at some places. Bigger dog = more meds, more seditive, more anesthesia, and more (surgery) time.

[DiggityDogs]

younger animals actually seem to handle surgery and anesthesia better.

I would think that their recovery time would be quicker as well, and I'm totally for it being done at that age because I think it takes out all of the 'what if's'. Owners always ask me about getting their dogs neutered or spayed and say things like, what if something happens to her, or they have some horror story from a friend of a friend of a friend, all usually because they are just afraid of putting their dog under anesthesia. There are always risks, but they are minor in comparison to the potential for cancers, litters of unwanted puppies, and all of the complications that can come with them. I've had several clients recently tell me that their vet told them to wait until their dog was 10 months to a year- I told them to find another vet! The more time the hormones have to circulate the more risk you run for having behavioral issues that are related to the those hormones- same sex aggression, territorialism, etc. I certainly think that 6 months is the absolute latest I personally would wait. There are quite a few mixed opinions on it, though, in my experience. In my area and with the vets that I know- there are very few in the Dallas area that would do a neuter younger than six months, unless you go to the humane society or spca.

[Sibe]

If neutered early, growth and development can be effected. The growth hormones that help mature bones and organs are partly due to these organs which we have removed during castration/neutering.

It is a decision responsible owners make to have it done. When it is best done is an excellent question.

There are different types of anesthesia as well. Some are inexpensive and are not as good for the dogs but they use em. Does anyone have experience with the types of anesthesia and what are they? How do they work?

If only the dogs could talk and tell you how that felt! :rolleyes: I believe in pain medication post operatively as well.

[canvasjockey]

I used to have concerns about that as well. Then I heard about recent studies that show that this might not be true. One took some litters of puppy's had half of each litter altered early, the other half altered later. They checked on them years later after they had reached maturity, and found no difference in their growth patterns.

It is a tough decision, the important thing is that they get spayed/neutered - and preferably before a females first heat and a male developes undesireable behaviors.

The anesthesia most places I know of use is a combo of injectable and gas. It's generally the Dr.'s preference. We give a sedative of some kinda short while before surgery, then induce them with Ketamine/Valium combo. This puts them under, but then we maintain them with gas - isofloruine. The risks are very low, in all the years I've been doing this I've only had two animals have trouble - one was older and very sick (it was an exploratory, possible gastric torsion) and died on the table, the other was a healthy young female in for a routine spay - we pulled her back and she's now doing just fine.

[Sibe]

Carole, that is good that you have had experience that shows what is safe for most dogs. Like a lot of decisions, using common sense usually prevails. It is a good idea for blood work to be done and that the animal being spayed/neutered is healthy for the surgery.

PS Have you ever done Siberian husky paintings? They make gorgeous models! Course I am a bit biased!!!:) I noticed your fine work on another thread. Very nice.

[canvasjockey]

Bloodwork and ECG are always a good idea, though the younger guys rarely have anything of concern show up in the results. We do procedures all the time on older, higher risk dogs and cats with no problems - we always make sure to know the potential risks for any particular patient and take appropriate action to make it as safe as can be.

Thanks, Sibe.. no, I haven't had a chance to do a Siberian Husky yet, though they are truly beautiful dogs (not so common here in the desert, however - you don't even want to know about the poor Malamute who overheated on us this weekend)!! Basically, I'm a slave to good photographic reference - if I found an awesome picture of dirt I'd paint it! That's why I bring my camera to work with me, and if I see anybody's pics here that strike me (and I've already seen a few) I'll contact them for permission to use their photo's to paint from.

[DiggityDogs]

I stopped in at my old vets office today to drop off some of my business cards, and out of curiosity, decided to ask how much they charged for spays/ neuters. OMG I was shocked! They START at $300!!!! and go up to almost $400!!!! Unbelievable- I mean, I truly think that you should be able to afford the necessary health care for your pet, but COME ON!! If it were not for places like the SPCA and humane society offering lower cost spays and neuters as an alternative to a $350 neuter there would be only a limited amout of people who could afford routine pet care. I remember thinking this same thing when I worked for a vet's office several years ago. It was 2000, and we were charging $105 for a yearly set of vaccines + heartworm test and fecal, and that did not include any medications like flea and heartworm prevention. The costs at some private vets are astronomical. But then I guess if they're in an area where people are willing to pay for it, they can get away with charging that. I, however, am willing to drive 30 minutes to my vet to get routine stuff done- they only charge $30 for a round of yearly shots, and another $25 for the heartworm and fecal.

[Sibe]

It is frightening how much $ it costs for everything we do for the dogs. :eek:

When I was a kid we didn't do anything but rabies for the dogs. They ran loose /no leash law back then! and probably ate just about anything! They showed up at neighbors cookouts... And they lived to be old. One dog had heartworm and epilepsy and an old leg wound (he adopted us, so don't know what happened to him) He did used to start fights and then required stitches-little beagle with big ego!:D