Puppy castration - should I have my puppy 'done' ?

[sootysox]

Thoughts, opinions and advice please. Digby is a nearly 7 month old Lhasa Apso, and has begun to 'hump' cusions, an old slipper etc...

What are the pros and cons ?

Tia. cheers.

cushions even - I knew it looked wrong

No cons, really - in larger breed dogs it may be better to wait until they have stopped growing (some benefit for their joints) but in a smaller breed there really isn't a downside. Very quick, simple routine op and after a day or so Digby will be back to normal.

Pros are a much reduced risk of tumours, reduced straying, reduced humping and reduced aggression towards other dogs, if applicable. It won't stop him being a silly, bouncy pup, but it will stop hin trying to shag inanimate objects.

If you leave it much longer you risk him learning the shagging behaviour and then - even once castrated - he may carry on humping.

hth

Thanks so much Bella .

I have actually booked him in for next Thursday 10th December - and am relieved that I am doing the right thing - thanks again - appreciated muchly

You're welcome
Expect him to be quite spaced/sleepy once you get him home (they often seem more awake at the vets when you collect them and then crash out when they get home) but after 24 hours he should be more or less normal .
Absolutely the best thing for him

Cheers

the 'cons' could be weight gain, obviously the inherent risk of anaesthetic, possibility of surgical complications, changes in coat texture (am sure this doesn't worry the dog though!) and some do argue that in males the loss of testosterone can be linked to a whole host of health problems - personally am in favour of neutering simply because there are enough unwanted dogs out there as it is and it's a very straightforward, non-invasive procedure usually, but there are other contraceptive methods available if you can be bothered to source them or find a vet willing to perform vasectomy for example

Thanks Mitchy

bella wont let me chop off my woofas balls!!!

lol - not exactly true, Blondie!

I said it wouldn't stop him growling at strange men if he had his balls chopped off.

Bella has no balls and she still growls at strange men

let you off them - does bella also lick her own bum like woofa does?

Sssssshhhhh!