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by shepherdpal on 07 August 2011 - 02:08
My GSD Benny has one retained testicle and is now 27 months. I know neutering is recommended for dogs with a retained testicle because of the increased risk of testicular cancer. My last GSD, Eli had both retained testicles and at the vets recommendation he was neutered at 6 months. He died in 2009 of hemangiosarcoma 5 weeks before his 9th birthday. We do not breed our dogs, they do not get out. I prefer not to mess with nature when possible, and want to avoid any unecessary surgery. mI know that it is much more invasive surgery when the testicle is retained
I have read studies that show that neutering, while decreasing the risk of testicular cancer, increased the risk of hemangiosarcoma
Research web canine
Because Benny is related to Eli on the dam’s side hemangiosarcoma is in his bloodline as well as the retained testicle. I did not hesitate to purchase a pup from the same breeder, thinking the retained testicle in Eli was a fluke and Eli’s mom lived to be 15 before cancer took her. I knew absolutely nothing about bloodlines diseases in German Shepherds two years ago, because my childhood one was so healthy.
I thought that in Benny’s case the best decision was to remove the retained testicle to reduce the risk of Testicular Cancer, but keep the other testicle to reduce the risk of hemangiosarcoma so I met with the vet yesterday to make an apt for Benny for this, along with an xray or ultra pre surgery to find the retained jewel. A breeder told me that occasionally it is reabsorbed by the body and may not even be there. The vet said he could not do it. He said it would open him up to a law suit if Benny got a dog pregnant. I assured him that I had no intention of breeding Benny and could ensure he would not be bred. Of course no one can 100% guarantee that someone won't let him out when I am not home, or there won't be an earthquake and he runs away. I was willing to sign a contract promising not to sue but he still could not do it. The vet kept talking about enlarged prostrate, testicular cancer, torsion, and I got worried and made an apt for a full neuter on Thursday woth pre op blood tests on Tuesday, but I am thinking about cancelling. The vets first reason for not just removing the retained testicle was fear of a law suit if Benny got a dog pregnant. This is not in the interest of the dog.
He kept refuting my studies with what vets at UC Davis say but the studies I showed him were from vets too.
He seemed to think I just believe everything I read on the internet.
He thought that the fact that dogs neutered young are bigger and leggier was a plus. He mentioned that most guide dogs are neutered as babies! I think he is a good vet, even though he feeds his dog Eukanuba and thinks very early neutering is good! It is probably what he has been taught He works for a big clinic so maybe it is a policy to always remove both testicles.
My 24 year old son just came home and told me his friends family just got a new GSD puppy and they have a very healthy 13 year old intact male GSD.
Poor Jeremy said "Mom, all this stuff about Benny makes me automatically check to see if male dogs are neutered. You have turned me into a weirdo!
I have read studies that show that neutering, while decreasing the risk of testicular cancer, increased the risk of hemangiosarcoma
Research web canine
Because Benny is related to Eli on the dam’s side hemangiosarcoma is in his bloodline as well as the retained testicle. I did not hesitate to purchase a pup from the same breeder, thinking the retained testicle in Eli was a fluke and Eli’s mom lived to be 15 before cancer took her. I knew absolutely nothing about bloodlines diseases in German Shepherds two years ago, because my childhood one was so healthy.
I thought that in Benny’s case the best decision was to remove the retained testicle to reduce the risk of Testicular Cancer, but keep the other testicle to reduce the risk of hemangiosarcoma so I met with the vet yesterday to make an apt for Benny for this, along with an xray or ultra pre surgery to find the retained jewel. A breeder told me that occasionally it is reabsorbed by the body and may not even be there. The vet said he could not do it. He said it would open him up to a law suit if Benny got a dog pregnant. I assured him that I had no intention of breeding Benny and could ensure he would not be bred. Of course no one can 100% guarantee that someone won't let him out when I am not home, or there won't be an earthquake and he runs away. I was willing to sign a contract promising not to sue but he still could not do it. The vet kept talking about enlarged prostrate, testicular cancer, torsion, and I got worried and made an apt for a full neuter on Thursday woth pre op blood tests on Tuesday, but I am thinking about cancelling. The vets first reason for not just removing the retained testicle was fear of a law suit if Benny got a dog pregnant. This is not in the interest of the dog.
He kept refuting my studies with what vets at UC Davis say but the studies I showed him were from vets too.
He seemed to think I just believe everything I read on the internet.
He thought that the fact that dogs neutered young are bigger and leggier was a plus. He mentioned that most guide dogs are neutered as babies! I think he is a good vet, even though he feeds his dog Eukanuba and thinks very early neutering is good! It is probably what he has been taught He works for a big clinic so maybe it is a policy to always remove both testicles.
My 24 year old son just came home and told me his friends family just got a new GSD puppy and they have a very healthy 13 year old intact male GSD.
Poor Jeremy said "Mom, all this stuff about Benny makes me automatically check to see if male dogs are neutered. You have turned me into a weirdo!
by von sprengkraft on 07 August 2011 - 03:08
The argument is always....if they remove the retained testicles, it will keep the dog from having testicular cancer. Well, if they remove the brain, they won't get brain cancer either! I have worked in many vet clinics as a LVT, and am yet to see a retained testicle with a malignancy. Hormones are necessary for good health. It it was such a healthy, life extending step...to remove the testicles...wouldn't they neuter all men at a certain point? If hormones are not necessary...why are hormone replacement so important for humans? I never let my book learning take over my common sense! You are paying the bill at the vet office. You don't have to convince your vet of anything. You need to only collect enough information to make the correct choice for you.
All my dogs are whole dogs living to 13 yrs or older. My oldest dog (I don't dare call her old!), Yelli vom Kassler Kreuz SchH3, lies on the floor as I type this. She will be 12 in Nov. She is not spayed...she isn't broken...so, I don't need to "fix" her.
All my dogs are whole dogs living to 13 yrs or older. My oldest dog (I don't dare call her old!), Yelli vom Kassler Kreuz SchH3, lies on the floor as I type this. She will be 12 in Nov. She is not spayed...she isn't broken...so, I don't need to "fix" her.
by Swifteagle on 07 August 2011 - 04:08
Would be good to see what others think... I am in the same boat as you, my boy only has one testicle..he is now 8 months old.
I have decided that I am going to wait until he is about 2 to 3 years old before I take action. I have already spoken to my local vet which was very hesitant to remove just one testicle, yet I was able to explain that he was an sport dog and taking his testicles could have implication on regards to his behaviour, so they agree to remove the one testicle when the time comes.
If your dog is a working dog as in sport or protection I would not castrate him, I would just go to another vet who is willing to take the one out. My female (showline, does not work) was very independent girl, after she was "fix" she changed alot, became super needy and soft. no way I am going to do that to my male.
Regards
by Ryanhaus on 07 August 2011 - 18:08
If you are a responsible dog owner, than why ? having one testicle removed.
Get a different vet, or pay the vet you already have to boss you about.
I personally don't like to mess with mother nature and think a dog intact is healthier in the long run, physically and mentally.
I have a dog that was returned to me cause he was lunging at dogs & people and the lady wanted to put him to sleep, he was neutered at 6 months, he is a big wimp, and seems to be physiologically screwed, he is 85 pounds of a big baby that needs to grow a pair.
I feel sorry for him and his loss, he could have been a happier more well rounded dog.
It will be a lot of work, but we'll find the inner dog in him,
Visit him on facebook, his name is Luke Ryanhaus!
If you opt for a full neuter, just don't let Luke hear about it, he's already messed up enough, if you catch my drift........
Get a different vet, or pay the vet you already have to boss you about.
I personally don't like to mess with mother nature and think a dog intact is healthier in the long run, physically and mentally.
I have a dog that was returned to me cause he was lunging at dogs & people and the lady wanted to put him to sleep, he was neutered at 6 months, he is a big wimp, and seems to be physiologically screwed, he is 85 pounds of a big baby that needs to grow a pair.
I feel sorry for him and his loss, he could have been a happier more well rounded dog.
It will be a lot of work, but we'll find the inner dog in him,
Visit him on facebook, his name is Luke Ryanhaus!
If you opt for a full neuter, just don't let Luke hear about it, he's already messed up enough, if you catch my drift........
by von sprengkraft on 07 August 2011 - 18:08
by shepherdpal on 07 August 2011 - 22:08
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs
Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete www.caninesports.com
Those were two of the resources i showed to the vet! I have already decided to not neuter at this time unless I can find a vet who will just remove the retained testicle.
The fact that the vets very first reason for refusal was because he could be sued means he is not putting the health of the dog first.
Canine Sports Productions: Early Spay-Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete www.caninesports.com
Those were two of the resources i showed to the vet! I have already decided to not neuter at this time unless I can find a vet who will just remove the retained testicle.
The fact that the vets very first reason for refusal was because he could be sued means he is not putting the health of the dog first.
by Siantha on 07 August 2011 - 22:08
i Do not see why he was soo worried about only removeing the retained... he isnt doing a full neuter and if he signs a paper saying the dog is still intact that only the retained was removed and he is not liable for the actions of the owner or dog once they have left his facility nothing can come back on him inless a female gets pregnant whall the dog is in his care. we had a vet where we use to live that bred one of my friends shepherds to his female because he liked the male....... and then he had the gaul to ask toget the pups registered.
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