Any HEALTH issues in NOT having a male dog Neutered??? - Page 1

I would just like to have your views on keeping a male dog entire.  This is purely based on any possibility of there being any health problems in keeping him entire.

Grateful in anticipation of your views and comments.

Thank you, Vixen

 Intact males are at risk - the higher risk the older they get -  of prostrate infection, inflammation, and prostrate and testicular cancer.  Not sure what the % chance is.

molly

Laura Sanborn put together some excellent information about thepros and cons of spay/neuter on this site:saveourdogs.net/health.html.

An excerpt:

"On the positive side, neutering male dogs

• eliminates the small risk (probably <1%) of dying from testicular cancer
• reduces the risk of non-cancerous prostate disorders
• reduces the risk of perianal fistulas
• may possibly reduce the risk of diabetes (data inconclusive)

On the negative side, neutering male dogs

• if done before maturity, increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) by a factor of 3.8; this is a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds with a poor prognosis
• increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 1.6; this is a common cancer and major cause of death in some breeds
• triples the risk of hypothyroidism
• increases the risk of geriatric cognitive impairment
• triples the risk of obesity, and with it many of the associated health problems
• quadruples the small risk (<0.6%) of prostate cancer
• doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract cancers
• increases the risk of orthopedic disorders
• increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations"

Of older males with prostatic hyperplasia (prostatitis), only about 7% go on to develop prostate cancer. Usually, prostatitis is noticed early on by some or all of these characteristics: decreased fertility, blood in the urine, straining to urinate or defecate,, etc. The condition may typically be addressed medically or surgically.

Of the 7 GSD males that I've had since 1974, none have been neutered or developed prostatitis.

I have had 14 males and none have been or are neutered.. Not any health problems and the cancer my female died of was the spleen and the males have died of  old age, and one bloated at 12.

I choose to not neuter unless it would be a male with one testicle and I have none of those...

I have 5 males and two of whom have never been bred..I am selling one of them this week , with all his pride still there...he is seven...never been bred and in good health.

We all are at risk for something.

I hate statistic's....    I'd rather keep my jewel's at take my chance's..LOL

I have thought about neutering a male I have who will never breed but when he see's me thinking this he give's me a dirty look, ya think he know's?

Moon's.

Looks like it is better to keep you dog intact unless unseen circumstances require the dog to be neutered. My old boy had to be neutered at 8 or 9 to preserve the rest of his life.... but I think keeping him intact most of his life kept him strong when he would have been weak otherwise.

Since I am a guy, I like my nuts where they are, and if I would be a dog I would appreicate the same. Let the nature do its thing.  We all at risk.

 Yes, he will be more prone to prostate cancer.