Question:
i have heard conflicting stories...on the one hand, some say i should neuter my puppy by age 6 months. others have told me to wait for her first heat to let her develop that she will be healthier that way...i am really confused. i want to do what's right for my puppy!
Answer:
Before or at 6 months is best.
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Best because?
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They won't have an accidental pregnancy or get many types of cancer. If they come into their first heat they are at 50% higher risk for many cancers.
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why does she hump her stuffed animal baby? she's only 10 weeks old!
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Actually pediatric neuterings have been being done for 20 or so years at age 8 weeks but they must weigh 2#'s. So you know it is safe at 6 mos.
Since dogs sometimes come into heat at around 6 mos you may want to have her done between 4 - 5 mos. Talk to your vet.
That "let'em have a litter" bunk went out with high button shoes.
There has been some concern that neutering male cats at an early age may contribute to them having a high incidence of crystals or blockages but that is the ONLY thing I have heard.
Answer:
Certain medium to large breed dogs (certain bloodlines of those breeds), actually sometimes are better off waiting until maturity to neuter. It lowers the risks of bone and joint problems (in certain bloodlines of certain breeds...meaning maybe 10% of the worlds dogs at the very most)...but it is a trade off, it increases (greatly) the risks of cancer. So unless you have one of those uncommonly owned by pet owners types of dogs, the younger the better (to an extent).
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i read somewhere that the estrogen and testosterone when puppy is older helps them to mature and be more obedient...is that true? if i neuter her too early will she stay immature?
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Maybe, butthe differnce between maturity with the hormones, vs maturity level without is going to be theoretical at best. The increased risk of cancer is elementary and without debate umongs the veterinary community.
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NO it is not true. And 5 mos is not early. I know tons of dogs that were neutered at 5 to 6 months, many do competitions, or hunt quite well, search & rescue, drug & bomb sniffer's etc.
Yep, I stand corrected brad. You are correct about those few dogs, I just wasn't thinking about that since the #'s are so miniscule.
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Only reason I am aware of thos efew is because my GSD belongs to one of the working bloodlines in which pups occasionally have joint and bone problems due to the hormones being shut off before bone growth is complete.
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I believe it is also affected by staying on puppy chow too.
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The hormone production is the very thing that causes the cancer risk, thus the recommendation of spaying before the first heat cycle. As far as maturing, most domesticated dogs never fully mature mentally anyway, they harbor many of their puppy like personalties because they are domestic dogs, we humans have domesticated dogs and breed over the centuries to preserve some these puppy like characteristics. There is a paticular term used for this which has escaped me (and is now driving me crazy trying to remember) anybody know the term????
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You are correct, they never mentally mature (I guess they do but their fully mature state doesn't seem too mature most of the time lol), and the hormones are what adds to the risk of cancer (well, testicular cancer is only a risk if they have testicles...hormones or not on that one)...but I am referring to physical maturity. There are not many breeds, and in those breeds only a handfull of bloodlines, usually males, where this is the case though (affecting bone growth).