Neutering dilema!

[mer55]

Bogey is 4 months old. Our plan was to have him neuetered at 6 months. Our vet (who specializes in bulldogs) is adamant that neutering young will give him longevity on the other end, as he believes it slows his growth down and he sees that hip problems and other things are curtailed when it is done before puberty.
That said, Bogey will be 6 months April 12. We have to head to Ct mid April, and originally planned to stay til July. I spoke with my vet who thought we could wait til we get back to neuter, which would make him 9 months. However, we are now faced with possibly staying in Ct all summer and not getting back here til September. So, my questions are:

Can I neuter him at 5 1/2 months? This would mean he would be completely healed before we leave.
My only other option is to have him neutered up north, but I looked up vets and there are no vets in Ct listed as bulldog specialists. I am not comfortable with this. My old vet (for my bullmastiffs) is ok, but I don't feel she had a handle on the bully problems, so I am not comfortable with that!
I really don't want to wait until 11 months old to have him neutered.d I did not ask my vet about this yet, thought I would throw it out here first!
Would love to hear from someone who had their male fixed young, and how he did!
Thanks

 

[Vicaroo1000]

I tried to wait with Bo - I really did. His EB specialized vet --- the gal the rescue uses -- said to wait until at least 9 months but "wait as long as you can stand it". And I quote. Bo was done at 6 months. He appears none the worse for wear and gets bigger and thicker every day. The vet seemed to believe that his size at adulthood would be impacted if neutered early. He's two this month. He's well over 75 lbs.

I think the longer you wait the harder the surgery is on the dog. (that's my opinion; I have no facts to back that up)

I had Bo neutered at my vet and my expense -- even tho the rescue would have paid for it. Using a doctor you know and love and knows EBs....would be good for your peace of mind.

 

[kim n the guys]

Remy was neutered at 8 months due to a prolapsed urethra and is the biggest of my boys. Sebastian and Oliver are now 2 years old and just getting neutered in the next month. I haven't heard that it's harder on the dogs the older they are. A lot of rescue dogs come into foster homes needing to be neutered and they are older and seem to have no problems with it

 

[nycbullymama]

Hi Mer,
Honestly, if you don't want to wait, I'd just get a recommendation for a good vet in CT. Ask your current vet, or a friend/family member up here.
The bullie breed is becoming much more popular. I've spoken with many vets over the last few weeks and they all seemed all too familiar with their specific issues, most importantly, anesthesia.

I think 5 1/2 is a little too young to get him fixed. If you really can't find anyone in CT, then I'd wait to go back and have it done, even if he is 11 months.

 

[Vikinggirl]

I haven't heard that its harder on them the older they are either, but the risk of cancers increases the older they are, as well as they may start marking if not neutered. I spayed and neutered my 2 at 7 months old, and had to do it right away as I have a brother and sister, so had to spay before Blossom went into heat, otherwise I would have to separate the 2 and being in the same house, that would have been impossible. I know they say the younger the better, for health reasons, but at 5 1/2 months, I'm not sure if that's too young, 6 to 7 months is the age that seems to be recommended, but, not sure if 2 weeks early would really rmake a difference. I would ask your vets opinion since you trust him. It may make more sense for you and be easier if he was done before your trip, as like you said he would be healed, and it would be done and over with. Also people have waited until their dog is a year old, and it's been okay too. There are pros and cons to both, and your vet will tell you what he recommends and you can make your decision based on what you feel more comfortable with and what's best for Bogey. Good lucky with whatever decision you make. Keep us posted on what the vet recommended.

 

[mer55]

Thank you all! My vet here is very well respected in the bulldog world, he has 4 Frenchies and has countless accolades from Bulldog institutions. I will go with his recommendations. If he gives the ok at 51/2 months, that is probably what I will do, as I dont' want him having surgery from someone I don't know anything about. My fear is we will get to Ct and have our stay extended even longer, which will put me at close to a year. Ah, the best laid plans......this was not what I was counting on!!

 

[cowsmom]

honestly mary i think it will be ok to wait but thats up to you. i just had sarah done last year at 5 and she is fine but of course i dont recommend waiting that long but rescue dogs are done much later than one sometimes to or older but you have to do what you feel comfy with.

 

[porkysmamma]

I just went through my calendar (I write everything down lol) porky was actually spayed at 5 1/2 months when the receptionist made her file she listed her birthday as 2 weeks earlier than it was!!!! I did realize before her surgery that she wouldn't be exactly 6 months so I called her vet and she said it was perfectly fine but was my decision so I went ahead with it!!!!! She is now almost a year old (bday 2-22 yay) n 55lbs she a big ol stocky girl but I haven't noticed any issues at all as of yet with having an early spay!!!!!


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[Vikinggirl]

All good advice, my thoughts are that it's okay to do either one, spay 2 weeks early, or wait until a year old. Base your decision on what your vet thinks is best, and what you feel most comfortable with.

 

[Fbjdd]

My vet who is a bulldog vet says 18-24 months for my boy because if done too soon he will not reach his full growth potential because he needs the testosterone for growth. We should wait unless his behavior is bad or marking starts.


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[anatess]

My vet who is a bulldog vet says 18-24 months for my boy because if done too soon he will not reach his full growth potential because he needs the testosterone for growth. We should wait unless his behavior is bad or marking starts.


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This is unsubstantiated. There is no evidence that a dog will not reach full growth potential when neutered early.

And about marking - neutering does not guarantee that a dog will not mark. But yes, an intact dog has a stronger drive to "make himself known to potential mates" through marking. Note though, that this is not the only reason a dog marks. Proper training and understanding the dog's need for marking is a way to deal with this issue.

But in any case, neutering earlier than 6 months poses a problem if the testicles have not dropped. You can neuter a dog at 16 weeks even as long as the testicles have dropped. The reason it is not recommended is because a young puppy poses a higher surgical risk than a 6 month old one. 6 months is when most breeds start to develop sexual maturity so the risk of surgery is offset by the risk of getting unwanted pregnancies.

Hope this helps.

 

[Poplawski]

We only just adopted our bully a month ago. He was 18 months old when we adopted him and we decided to have him snipped as we had no intention to use him as a stud. We just had him snipped two days ago and although older he is healing wonderfully! We did laser and he is doing well so even if they are older, they can still get snipped and heal well!! Best of luck!!!