TO RESCUE PEOPLE - Page 3

Wanted to add that the odds of a dog this age having major issues with a swollen scrotum are great  It might be wise to have the scrotum removed too. A more complicated surgery, but it should benefit the dog in the long run.

Hexe, that's quite a leap to suggest "lying" based on the posts as they stand with regard to discussing checking his sperm count. Hence, if he's determined sterile, you then place him WITH A DISCLAIMER THAT HE'S STERILE to dissuade would-be breeders. Hopefully, he won't go to such a moron that would think a simple sperm count check means that there are no dangers to letting him run w/an intact female. I would also ASSume Bhaugh will be fairly careful in talking to prospective homes and full disclosure would not be an issue. 

I can't believe the world is such that we really need to whack off a 10yr old dog's testicles to find him a home. Sad. Can't the money be spent elsewhere for a greater benefit? Like feeding an animal that may otherwise die? No, we must push for the extinction of testicles everywhere, lol. The sort of people looking at a ten year old dog in rescue aren't typically going to be looking for a breeding prospect, basic logic would tell me. 

 

My two cents worth-stemming from the experience of a much respected
friend. Neuter the dog if he can be safely anesthetized. An older intact male,
particularily one that may have been used for breeding, will likely run a very
high risk of prostate issues. Once one infection starts in an older male, it can
take a bit to even catch, they don't always express the a-typical clinical signs
of a prostate infection until it is in full swing, those PI's are an absolute nightmare
to try and clear up, and often come back within a short time of being off very 
expensive long term antibiotics. The males will also run the risk of UTI's.
Watching a very good friend (who took the most meticulous care) go through
this recurring nightmare recently is enough to make me urge the OP to neuter if it
can be safely done. Those of us with some age on them know all too well, we simply
do not bounce back from any illness like we did when we were young and 
invincible, neither do aged dogs. JMO 

It's not about whether or not someone 'likely' won't be looking at a 10yr old for breeding.
It's about hopefully preventing and prolonging his life. PI's in intact older males can lead 
to a whole world of problems that no one would want to see a dog go through.

He does have a leaky bladder and dribbles.

I suggest you get him in for a good check up as soon as possible.
The stiffness in his back can be prostate related as well. Many many little
physical issues can be tied to prostate in older males. And thank you for
rescuing him.
 

I had my male rescue neutered at 4 years, due to prostatitis. He was an only dog at the time, and I had good fences, plus I grew up in an era where it wasn't considered necessary to neuter the males.  You just controlled your dog and didn't let it roam, plus PETA wasn't around to convince people that an un-neutered male was as dangerous as a raging bull...

His scrotum swelled up until it was larger than it had been before the neutering, and he was in a great deal of pain that first night. So, yeah, I'd opt for removing the scrotum as well.

As to whether to give him the snip or not, well, that's a tough one. Too bad we live in a society where it would be necessary.
 

Took him to the vet today and his prostate is hard and large. He will be on antibiotics for two weeks then we will discuss neutering. The shelter told me that he had bad hips but I think his hips are fine. Now that I know he has prostrate problems, I'm wondering if that's what they thought was a hip issue. Poor Sancho...if it turns out bad, then at least he got out and wasnt left at the shelter.

Call the SV about the tattoo. They can probably point you in the right direction, country-of-origin wise.
As far as neutering... it would depend on the general health of the dog. The pros are strong, given your worries about breeding in that area and the good looks of the old dog, but I sure hate to put a 10 yr. old dog under anesthesia. Chances are he IS infertile, or will be soon, but you never know unless you test the semen. On the other hand, the leaking is likely prostate infection, and neutering is indicated in the treatment of that disorder. 
I think I would test his blood, and if everything looks good, go ahead and neuter him.