Dog castration advice please

bailey59

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

I would just like to clear up a few of the issues that have been raised by this thread.

The pup has had all her injections, I now have her insured and she will be micro-chipped within the next couple of weeks.

I have been made redundant and I finish work shortly but I have got another job lined up so when I am made redundant in about 7 weeks I will have the extra cash for the neuturing.

The baby has been put on hold for the time being.

The extra cost for boosters, worming etc has been taken into account, I really do love beans on toast.

We got the pup because the previous owner who had her from 6 weeks of age decided that he didnt want her anymore and that he was going to give her away or send her to the RSPCA. When we were told about her we decided we would give be able to give her a good home so we took her, I know we are in a lot of debt but so what, we will cope and we will give the pup all the love, warmth and comfort that she wants and needs.

My male dog is not dog aggressive all of the time - we now believe he is aggressive due to fear, when he is out walking if a bigger dog runs up to him or walks past he sometimes, and I stress sometimes, growls at them and tries to snap at them. He is absolutley great with the pup and loves playing with her. When he was a pup I paid for a company to come out and do 1 - 1 training with us, the fee I paid was for his lifetime and any problems they would call out to see us. They came out after I posted on here for advice and we are dealing with his issues. He was attacked by 2 large Akitas when he was smaller and a couple of larger dogs have since had a go at him whilst he has been on the lead (they were off lead), so I really dont see a problem about his agression with the pup.

If you read my OP is says I doubt we would breed these 2 together and I would probably get her done when she is ready, the male staffy's bloodline referred to him siring with a different lady. He is pedigree and his some of his family were show dogs. The new pup is not a pedigree. What I meant was that I didnt know whether to get him done because of this. He has only been bred before with a reputable breeder.

What I want to know then after your posts is:

How old can the pup be spayed at? Can she be done before her 1st season? If she can will it stop the male from wanting to get it on with her?

If the male is done someone posted he will still be fertile for a couple of months? She is 15 weeks old, have I got time to do him?

My hubby is really against having the male done at the moment although I can see why it would be a good idea. He doesnt see why he has to lose his bits through no fault of his own.

I dont know who to do 1st????? Or who is best to be done???? There are reallty conflicting reports about cancers, cysts etc.

I also live in Derbyshire so if anyone knows of any places round here to get discounts that would be great.

I could borrow the money and repay it back if I need to get it done now.

Thanks again for all your replies.

bailey59

Oh, I also wanted to say that we have a new granddaughter and I didnt realise about the attack on the baby possibly having something to do with a b!tch on heat in the same household as a male. That worries me so something will have to be done one way or the other

bailey59

I have just phoned my vets and they wont do the pup until 12 weeks after her 1st season. So if I dont want the pup to have puppies or cause both of them injury then I have to do the male first, asap.

Person_one

bailey59 wrote: »

My hubby is really against having the male done at the moment although I can see why it would be a good idea. He doesnt see why he has to lose his bits through no fault of his own.

A lot of men get squeamish about this, but they're projecting their own feelings onto an animal who doesn't share them. Unless you let the dog mate regularly then he isn't really using them is he? The hormones are probably a source of frustration more than anything else. Within a few days of the op he'll have forgotten he ever had them. Neutered dogs don't mourn for their lost masculinity!

foreign_correspondent

Having both these dogs done would be preferable - the pup could be done before her first season, or the lad could be done immediately.

The problem is, its hard to predict when she is going to come into season, and you may get caught out if she is sooner than expected. I really would get your lad done - not doing it like putting a massive steak infront of a starving person, whilst telling them they can't have it... some male dogs can pine, cry, go off food and become quite ill because they cannot get to a b1tch in season - or they will scale or dig under fences, damage internal doors etc to get to them - you cant underestimate the power of biological drives.

You need to talk to your vet about when she can be done - different vets will have different opinions, I am sure. However, if it was me, I would get the lad done now, and then get the girl done after her first season.

foreign_correspondent

bailey59 wrote: »

I have just phoned my vets and they wont do the pup until 12 weeks after her 1st season. So if I dont want the pup to have puppies or cause both of them injury then I have to do the male first, asap.

Puppies on her first season could be disastrous for the pup - complications and even death can result as her uterus and body are immmature and not developed enough to cope. Please do get your lad done.

Tell your OH to get over his attachment to the dogs testicles... they aren't his own!!;)

Bailey, I will see if I can find any info about neutering help in derbyshire - I am from north derbyshire myself, but dont live there anymore - but please do be aware, when I was looking for my dads rescue dog last year the rescues and pounds were chock-a-block with staffies.. young ones, old ones, litters of unsold puppies... locally the magnitide of the problem is terrible, and I hope that no staffy lover would willingly contribute to the problem.

ReverseInternet

The baby has been put on hold for the time being.

Lobell

bailey59 wrote:

What I want to know then after your posts is:

How old can the pup be spayed at? Can she be done before her 1st season? If she can will it stop the male from wanting to get it on with her?

She can be spayed at around 6 months and many vets actively encourage this. However, it is generally considered better to allow them to have at least one season (two in larger breeds who are slower to mature) and spay approx 3 months after at the approximate mid-point between seasons, when hormones are at normal levels. The surge of hormones from a season is beneficial to the b1tch in terms physical and mental developent which is why many people prefer a b1tch to have at least one before spaying.

bailey59 wrote:

If the male is done someone posted he will still be fertile for a couple of months? She is 15 weeks old, have I got time to do him?

Best to get him done sooner rather than later if you're going to, but I would still separate them during her season (if you decide to let her have one). Its not unknown for castrated males to sire litters several months after castration and the fact that he's been used at stud before means he knows the ropes and will still try to mate with her and will probably be anxious/stressed at having an in-season b1tch in close quarters.

bailey59 wrote:

My hubby is really against having the male done at the moment although I can see why it would be a good idea. He doesnt see why he has to lose his bits through no fault of his own.

Unless you can 100% GUARANTEE that the two can be separated, you don't have much choice. If you don't wish to have your !!!!! spayed at 6 months, could someone (friend/family member) keep her or your boy for you for a few weeks when she is in season? That way, there is no chance of an accidental mating and you can have her spayed before her 2nd season and your boy can hang onto his plums.

foreign_correspondent

Which end of derbyshire are you at?

Your dog warden may offer reduced cost neutering vouchers - here are the details for Derby itself: http://www.derby.gov.uk/Environment/AnimalWelfare/DogControl.htm

Spaying and Neutering Vouchers: Derby 01332 641333

bailey59

Maybe someone could have her while she is in season? That sounds like a really good idea. We are all going away for a week in a caravan end of July, that could be fun if she hasnt had her season before then. She will be 7 months old by then.