Any concerns for my unneutered dog before his neuter surgery?

It is probably a good idea to have the incision checked since tying with a female is certainly more activity than he is supposed to have the first week after surgery. He also needs to stay well away from all unspayed females for 6-8 weeks while the testosterone continues to leave his system.

The main reasons that most dog owners opt to neuter male dogs are behavioral - urine marking, roaming in search of females, and not getting along with other male dogs are all common problems for many intact males. In terms of possible medical issues, as they get older they often develop issues with prostate enlargement, prostatic cysts, or infections. Testicular tumors can also be an issue. And of course, you have the lifelong responsibility of making sure that your dog does not contribute to the pet overpopulation problem by fathering any accidental puppies. If you don't mind the behavioral issues and are prepared to keep your dog safely confined to prevent roaming, then you don't necessarily need to neuter unless medical problems develop. It's definitely a personal choice, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation :)

I would definitely get Huxley neutered. He's not too old to be neutered, and given that he has a retained testicle, neutering is highly recommended. The retained testicle is more prone to testicular tumors and testicular torsion. Testicular tumors are more common in older dogs, but warning signs include swelling in the testicle, hair and skin changes, nipple enlargement, and pale gums among other symptoms. I would speak to a vet about scheduling Huxley for a neuter very soon.

Three is a perfectly fine at to neuter a dog! Elliot isn't a senior dog, and as long as he is healthy, the risks are minimal, just the usual ones for any surgery such as infection and excessive bleeding. Have him seen by a vet to get him neutered. I hope this helps.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Popo. Neutering him will help to prevent against certain types of prostate diseases and even some forms of cancer. It will decrease his desire to roam looking for female dogs. It does not affect personality. Every surgery carries the risk of anesthesia. He could experience post-operative swelling or infection. Some adult dogs can gain weight after the surgery. So his calories need to be monitored. These risks are minimal in most cases though. I hope this information helps!

Hi and thanks for your question. There are lots of negatives to having an intact male dog. Intact male dogs can develop prostatic problems as well as testicular cancers that can have serious health consequences to them and may shorter the life of the dog. Aside from marking behaviors and other undesirable behavior (mounting, etc), , the risk of cancers and prostatic issues later in life are primary concerns. I hope this helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Toby. If a dog is neutered as a younger puppy, the scrotum becomes less obvious as the dog continues to grow. If the dog is neutered as an older pup or as an adult, the scrotum may stay visible. Be sure to keep Toby very quiet for a few days as an older puppy can experience post-surgical swelling in this region. The benefits of neutering including preventing unwanted litters of puppies, preventing certain types of cancer and prostate disease and decreasing the dog's desire to roam and seek out females. The negative is some dogs can experience a slowed metabolism and subsequent weight gain. This can be easily managed with calorie restriction if necessary. I hope this information helps!