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Because of some posts on another thread on an unrelated matter (a member's new pug was neutered at 12 weeks), I thought I'd bring up this subject separately. My first reaction was shock and the thought that it couldn't be a good thing. But I just did a bit of quick research and found nothing but positive comments about the concept. I'd like to hear a balanced discussion, so would appreciate if knowledgeable posters would weigh in the subject - pro and con. Thanks.
Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete
Here is an article discussing some of the down sides of early neutering.
I would also be concerned about putting a pet through a fairly major surgical procedure (applies more to bitches than dogs, I suppose, but still requires GA for both) at a time when it is undergoing the stresses of adjusting to a new family and possibly going through fear periods.
If the pup has just completed the vaccination course I would be far more concerned about classes, socialisation and training than an operation.
I'd have to agree with snifter...They already don't know what's going on as it is when they go in for the surgery. And the fact that they are just getting used to your house might throw them for a loop being kept at the vet over night.
Also when they are that young their immunities aren't very developed. I remember Oz had an infection at about 8 weeks old. The vet said it's common in puppies just ebcause their immunities just don't know what to do sometimes.
In our state, if you pull a puppy (or kitten) from a shelter they must be at least 8 weeks old and they must be spayed or neutered before they leave. So many pups are being spayed and neutered here as youn as 8 weeks old.
My Marty was neutered at 4 months, he did very well from the surgery. The only difference I notice between him and our fosters who were neutered as adults is Marty is hung significantly "lighter" than they are. He is also of a lighter bone and musculature than the others, which may be the neuter or may be genetcs, who knows.
Marty also developed Legg-Calve-Perthes disease before he was a year old, a genetic disease, but there seems to be some correlation between early neutering and the disease which always has nagged at my mind.
Take care,
Lisa
Good point about the vaccination conflict. It's so important not to vaccinate within 3 weeks on either side of surgery and hard enough to get in 3 DHPP shots plus a rabies shot - all 3 weeks apart, within the prescribed period, without adding a 6 (3 week pre, 3 week post) week delay because of surgery. That one argument alone convinces me it's a bad idea. I do understand the shelter system conundrum, though, and if a concession of any kind is to be made, I'd err on the side of ensuring that the dog couldn't reproduce.
We too here are spaying and neutering very early now when coming from a shelter. I have concerns about this but do understand the necessity of it. I did read an article about it and read that animals that are spayed and neutered early are growing taller because of something to do with the growth plates. I am worried that people are doing the right thing by rescuing these pets but down the road are going to have major health issues that they are not ready for or can afford and the animals are going to end up back in shelters and rescues. Just my thought.