2006-10-28 05:38:36 · 15 answers · asked by meranda c 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Dogs can be "fixed" as early as 12 weeks, but most vets (as do I) don't recommend it until they are atleast 16 weeks (4 months) old. You do need to get him neutered, but wait about 6 more weeks.
2006-10-28 05:47:44 · answer #1 · answered by Vet_Techie_Girl 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
he's 10 wks old, he's a Lab, and he's MALE (not female); so yes, juvie-neutering should be perfectly safe for him.
the Qs about juvie-neutering are:
* is the baby over 2 pounds?
* is the baby healthy?
* is the baby M or F?
females should NOT be desexed, if possible, before 16 wks at the earliest; this allows their bladder-sphincter to 'grow up'. the stronger muscle is needed because F's who are desexed younger than 4 mos/16 wks have a higher chance of urinary incontinence (leaking), which may be at night while they sleep, drg the day when excited (visitors, etc), or when they have a full stomach.
shelters who do large-volumes of dog and cat juvie-desex will often do F pups as early as they place them in homes; this can cause problems if the F dog later becomes incontinent, but the leakage CAN Often be controlled by meds.
as a precaution: Do A FULL Blood Panel on any animal, before surgery involving general anaesthesia.
saving the $85 for the blood-panel won't do U any good if Ur pet has a liver- or kidney-problem, and fails to wake up post-surgery!
spend the $$ ahead on the blood-panel, and KEEP a Copy; it's an excellent reference for future vets to consult for 'normal', if it's normal... and we all hope it is! :)
neutering is safe, and scars less/heals faster in a juvie.
just remember to KEEP HIM QUIET!! and his teeth/tongue away from the incision; U, not he, keep it clean!
an E-collar or cervical-collar are a good idea; if he bleeds, leaks fluid, or shows reness, swelling, call the vet right away.
but he should be just fine; it's a minor surgery, unlike a spay.
2006-10-28 06:09:48 · answer #2 · answered by leashedforlife 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Some vets will actually spay/neuter a puppy at 8 weeks (way too young in my opinion). But most vets do recommend spaying/neutering your puppies between 12 and 16 weeks. Having him fixed will also keep your licensing fees down.
2006-10-28 05:59:23 · answer #3 · answered by Zodiac_Child 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
10 weeks is a little young...i'd wait another month or two...also, and sorry to sound gross, but are both of his testicles decended? sometimes they take awhile to 'drop' and you really want them to do that before surgery. now if you get to the point where he's alot older and they still havent 'dropped' then the vet will have to go into the abdomen to find them (one or both) and it can be a bit more expensive.
just take a look and see if you see two balls :)
PS It doesn't HAVE to be 6 months, its not "old fashioned bs" as someone below me said because it is healthier for them and the surgery is alot safer....however they should be old enough and stong enough to be able to withstand the anesthesia. So I'd wait another couple of months. And congrats on getting your pup fixed...alot of people are ignorant and cheap and just let them reproduce all the time.
2006-10-28 05:52:00 · answer #4 · answered by Its a secret! 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely! By 6 months, ALL dogs and cats should be altered. No need for more pets in this world when there aren't enough homes to begin with.
BTW - vets HATE when owners say "fixed". There is nothing wrong with your dog to fix. You are spaying or neutering or altering, but not 'fixing' them. Another funny one is spaded - just shovel away. :) But seriously, you will be having your dog spayed or neutered.
http://www.brightlion.com/InHope/InHope_en.aspx
2006-10-28 06:04:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would have him fixed when he is about 6 months old. He is not able to reproduce right now, so I would not worry about it until about 6 months of age.
2006-10-28 05:59:41 · answer #6 · answered by daisygirltn 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not yet he is a little young. I had my Lab neutered at six months. But I would definitely recommend it when he gets around six months.
2006-10-28 06:23:36 · answer #7 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My little dog had to be 6 months old before we could neuter him. I really do recommend it when he gets that age. It will make him more docile, less likely to roam, and it will help control the pet population.
2006-10-28 05:56:55 · answer #8 · answered by Msbaton 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Dogs and cats need to be 6 months before they are fixed. Check with your vet.
2006-10-28 05:45:07 · answer #9 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I assume you mean spayed or neutered?? Answer is yes. Check with your vet and do it as soon as he/she is willing to. Different vets have varying policies on ages.
2006-10-28 05:52:47 · answer #10 · answered by piper 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋