Neutering large dog

[IchLiebeDeutscheSchaferhunde]

I have of course googled but wanted to chat, get some advice as despite having lots of dogs I have never had a male neutered before (they have always been neutered prior to me owning them)

I have had a quote (£310) but that doesn't include medicine/treatment that he might need on the day - does anyone know what this maybe (I will ask the vet but can't right now)

Do I ask for extra pain relief - when my rabbit was neutered the advice from rabbit rescue was to ask for additional pain relief - is that the same with dogs?

What exact should I expect afterwards - again I get to chat to the vet beforehand but I would like to be prepared.

What is your reason for neutering?

DS had his Labrador castrated about 18 months ago. He paid £206 including medication which was essentially just pain relief to go in his food. Sent away with advice on putting the dog in cotton boxer shorts if he started licking his bits and no off lead walking for two weeks then return for a check up.

All went well and boxers were not needed 😂.

we live in Yorkshire for cost reference.

As an aside DSs dog was castrated as he was a rehome and wild and reactive towards other dogs, in an over friendly way, which wasn’t always well received. He was much calmer within three months and no longer has any interest in any other dogs except the odd other Labrador or retriever.

His training was more successful after castration too, less distractions.

Combination - on a neutering contract as part of the terms of rehoming, lots of kennels/sitters don't take intact dogs (we don't plan to use them, but equally can't see into the future) and the main reason is there is a local large breed walking group that only accepts neutered dogs. Access to this controlled group of large dogs will be beneficial.

I understand that there is a lot of discussion a out neutering males, and my vet advocates a case by case basis.

@TimeForATerf thanks, I was expecting that sort of figure - but inflation is high.

My trainer said the same about less distractions - good to hear it has been a positive thing.

Did he not have an Elizabethan collar? Boxers sound much better, but I guess he didn't try and lick at all.

No collar, the veterinary nurse said because he’s a lab and big and bouncy they tend to knock things flying in a collar, hence the boxer short recommendation. He was very “drunk” for a full 12 hours after the anaesthetic, and sleepy for another 12 after that.

The hard part was keeping him on a lead for two weeks, he was desperate to run.

Had to pick mine up to get him into the back of the car straight after the procedure. That was awkward trying to pick up all that bulk without hurting him. He was really woozy and clumsy for the rest of the day, bless him.

He was just tired and seemed to sleep a lot/just wanted rest and quiet. I was told to give him chicken and rice/light meals.

On a long lead in the garden for a few weeks after - no running/jumping etc.

Cost was similar to yours, he was given paracetamol and possibly something stronger for home.

Those plastic cones are awful. So uncomfortable for them to be in and rest. I got my one a ‘bodysuit’ that did the trick perfectly - I think it was about £10. My other dog though refused to wear one and I got him the soft inflatable doughnut collar.

Just make sure they’re wearing something so they don’t lick or pick at the stitches. I was at the vets a month ago and a dog was in as an emergency because their stitches had opened, it was awful, I still can’t forget it.

How old is he? After once being a fan of early neutering, I now keep my dogs intact until they're physically and mentally mature.

I'm sure you have thought this through, but there is evidence that, for some breeds, delaying neutering is better for their long-term health.

@EdithStourton You often don't get much of a say in the matter with rescues. It's usually 12 months old with males and three months after first season for females, regardless of breed size.

I have had three males neutered. They all pretty much bounced out of the vets as if nothing had happened. The first two wore boxers, but I bought a body suit from the most recent one. That worked well and saves your legs from being bashed by a cone.
I think they had Metacam for a week or so afterwards. The hard part was keeping them quiet and from leaping on and off the sofa.

Is there a good reason for not neutering??

I ask as there are many for and against arguments. I neutered my rescue mainly as none of the local boarding places will take entire dogs.

Ironically, I run a home boarding operation and train, and I have no issue with entire dogs.

I paid around £200 if memory serves, and had the body sock thing instead of a cone of shame.

Yes, testicles have been developed over millions of years and provide all sorts of benefits beyond reproduction. Admittedly, it is difficult to get testicular cancer without them, however there are some emerging studies around bone density and other long term issues caused by neutering.

The whole aggression argument is a non argument. In the wild, dogs / wolves (and I know dogs are not descended from wolves) don't go around starting fights all the time. I regularly board / walk entire males with each other, and it really isn't a disaster.

So, other than the removal of unwanted offspring, which is entirely valid in a society where there are too many dogs without homes (I'm not sure it would make a difference on the basis of there being so many unscrupulous breeders), there doesn't seem to be a particular reason to neuter.

@SpanielsGalore this is broadly true, but someone I know adopted an older puppy who was supposed to end up GSD sized but was clearly crossed with some kind of mastiff and is huge. As he reached the point where she'd agreed to neuter, he was clearly not fully mature and she contacted the rescue, who agreed to a delay.

@EdithStourton the rescue have been happy to delay due to age and the fact I wanted him assessed by my trainer and to settle in which I'm pleased about.

The whole aggression argument is a non argument. In the wild, dogs / wolves (and I know dogs are not descended from wolves) don't go around starting fights all the time. I regularly board / walk entire males with each other, and it really isn't a disaster

Wild dogs do fight more than we allow pet dogs, as in any scuffle isn't acceptable in a pet dog. Plus wild dogs are able to mate, which releases tension which isn't possible in pet dogs.

I am not rejecting the fact that neutering isnt the best option for all, and I agree behaviour and aggression will not be solved by neutering.

Our Labrador has the yearly castration jab so no painful operation needed. It works really well - totally recommend!

Although we had promised the rescue we would neuter in reality they never checked! We did neuter him at 18 months mainly because of his incessant humping. I know people say it’s a myth that it stops/ reduces humping but in our case it very definitely did. He used to hump anything that moved; us (really painful when it’s a big dog) other dogs, his bed. Now he still does it when over excited but much much less. It also stopped him wanting to run off after bitches and other neutered male dogs starting fights with him.

He had the cone because donuts and suits were ineffective for him he just chewed through them all. He got used to it and could eat and sleep with it on and it wasn’t for long. We took it off for walks. He recovered pretty quickly within a week.

One thing to know is that they need much less food after neutering. The vet advised 1/3 less but he still put on weight and we had to change his food to a diet one. He’s a good weight now. He is much more food motivated than he used to be and therefore much easier to train.

Overall I have not regretted doing it but he is the one who now detests intact male dogs and he will react quite aggressively if he encounters one which can be embarrassing. That seems the only downside.