TO RESCUE PEOPLE - Page 1

I just took in a 10 yo dog to rescue. He is not neutered and acts very studdy around my spayed female. Its not a problem for me but should someone want to adopt him, I really need to neuter him. Being that he is 10, I'm concerned. I don't want to place him unaltered. I'm really not sure what to do.

Barb

I recently fostered a senior GSD, at least 10 yrs old who was quite debilatated with spinal and hip issues and also was still on low doses of Prednisone for it... The sanctuary wanted him neutered... I was very reluctant to do so but the vet said he would be fine! This boy wasn't the least bit studish and I felt terrible having to get him castrated at his age!! Anyways, ultimately he did OK but the week following the surgery he was taken for emergency tx by the sanctuary with a collasped trachea!! He's doing great now.. this was in January.

Why not leave him intact and just place him as an only dog?  

Margaret N-J

People in Vegas are so "breed happy" that's why Im considering doing it. If they could breed two rocks together...... I worked with several rescue people to pull him and its a big no no to place an unaltered dog. I always alter before placement. I'd like to do a sperm count and see if its even a worry but I'm not sure how much that costs.

Barb

At his age, with all the stress of everything going on, I agree that neutering him is not ideal...how much is a sperm count? Place him with the disclaimer that he's sterile to dissuade the would-be breeders. 

He's 10, with what? an unknown history? No pedigree? BYB cast off maybe? I'd neuter him to prevent cancer, prostrait problems and to stop him accidently making any more puppies to put into rescue.  I have no problem fixing dogs that are rescues. I also think that as a rescuer you need to consider the policy of the rescue and not release an intact dog. Neuter takes about 15 minutes and is very non invasive. Hell I've seen enough neuters in my time working for a vet as a dog groomer that i could perform them myself. It's that quick and easy. And while he's under have them check his teeth. Since a 10 year old GSD most likely will have crappy teeth and could use a good cleaning. Kill two medical issues with one sedation.
Good luck.
Fry

Prostate?

My 10 yr old just recovered fine from anaesthetic & invasive (gastric)
surgery.  Kinda depends on the general health of the dog, especially
when they are older.

Taz is very 'studdy', a lot,  never managed to get him castrated.  (This
last surgery was too much of an emergency to tack the neutering onto;
last time I arranged it, surgery became unneccessary;  and his teeth
are fine).  Not all dogs are the same so Jenni could be right, but I hope
its helpful if I say he's intermittently suffered swollen prostate over past
couple of years and he seems actually LESS interested in mounting
while that is a factor.  Behaviour returns when we get the injection or
tablets to sort the problem.  [ ? ]

Jenni,

Thats a good idea. He does have a pedigree. I just havent been able to read his tattoo to track the pedigree. His teeth are in excellent condition. I'm guessing he has great genetic teeth or he was fed raw. 0 plaque. I'm not worried so much about the act of neutering him, more about general anesthesia.

Thanks for idea's

Barb