Vasectomy

[alschwahn]

I’m unsure if the source is super reliable, but I joined a Facebook page that educates dog parents on alternative options to the traditional neuter/spay. A lot of people are seeking out Zeuterin still but that basically failed as soon as it launched in the US and no one really knows what it is. Therefore, it’s not available anywhere near me. However, I was reading about vasectomies for dogs rather than castration. There are vets (certified) who do them in my state and the neighboring state. I would like to get Aspen fixed after he turns two, I think, if we can seek out an option that we are all comfortable with. Has anyone ever heard of vasectomies for dogs? Clearly I wouldn’t do anything unsafe for Aspen, but was just wondering if anyone is knowledgeable on this.

 

[M.F.]

A vasectomy is a good option to prevent your dog from producing puppies while still retaining all the benefits of his hormones. But if you can prevent him from mating an in-heat bitch, then no need for the op.

My boy is intact at 7 years. He can’t wander—house and garden are totally secure. And he’s always with me or my husband when off leash.

There are many, many benefits for a dog to retain his hormones—for physical and emotional health.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

When I was researching the effects of neuter - and specifically early neuter - after Brogan died, I came across some info on vasectomy vs. neuter and it seemed very positive. From what I read, the challenge is finding a vet who will do it, as most want to do the neuter as it's what they know and apparently is an easier op to perform.

@M.F. brings up another option of simply leaving Aspen the way he is. Castration/neutering is such a cultural minefield. I'm American and was brought up that neutering was the only responsible option with no alternatives ever being discussed. You just did it, end of story.

Where I've lived in Europe it's a very different story, with castration being the exception rather than the norm and even regarded as most definitely NOT the right thing to do in some quarters.

Having looked into it quite a bit after Brogan's death from a cancer associated with early neuter ('early' wouldn't apply to Aspen at 2 years old of course), I'd decided not to neuter my next dog. However, seeing a good friend's male dog go through some serious issues due to being intact, I also respect the decision to have it done.

Definitely not a cut and dry question of whether to do it, how to it and when to do it!

 

[snowbunny]

I think it depends on your motivation for “fixing” the dog (hate that turn of phrase, they’re not broken!).
The only reason to go for vasectomy is to prevent unwanted puppies, which will only happen if you let your dog roam unattended. He will still have all his sex hormones so, if he has a high sex drive, will still be driven to mate with bitches. If that’s allowed, puppies won’t result (unless the vasectomy fails, as it can do), but it can still be distressing for all involved. He will retain any and all sexually motivated behaviours he had before the operation.
I’m not sure I really see the point in vasectomy. I’m not pro mindless castration, either, but as long as it is a real decision made in the best interests of the dog and human team, rather than just a “this is what we do” thoughtless exercise, I don’t have a problem with it.
I would ask what you hope to achieve through having the operation, and then investigate if the vasectomy will give you what you need.

 

[Jelinga]

I can't really see the point of putting a dog through a vasectomy op, it is not going to change his sexual desires, just stop him fathering puppies should he get the opportunity to mate.

 

[snowbunny]

Here's a bit of trivia for you. Female ferrets (jills) don't come out of their season unless they are mated, or else they need an injection every season. If not, they can die! We had our two girls spayed for that reason, but some people keep a vasectomised boy (hob) to mate with their females so they come out of their season more naturally.

 

[Boogie]

Zaba is an entire male, he’s happy healthy and fine. He doesn’t even bother with bitches in heat!

(Plenty of people round here still walk them and call ahead )

 

[M.F.]

Here's a bit of trivia for you. Female ferrets (jills) don't come out of their season unless they are mated, or else they need an injection every season. If not, they can die! We had our two girls spayed for that reason, but some people keep a vasectomised boy (hob) to mate with their females so they come out of their season more naturally.

Sometimes I wonder if there’s any new info that will make go . And then this. Fascinating!

 

[M.F.]

Just read on one of my fb group pages about a mastiff that died under anaesthetic for a simple op on his ear flap. He was 5 yo and a magnificent specimen. He had a heart attack. Thinking of him, I’d not go the vasectomy route. Unnecessary anaesthetic. Keep your dog intact and prevent him from wandering. Accidents only happen if you let them. There are very few cases I can think of to warrant a vasectomy. Perhaps if I had an intact bitch with an intact boy but didn’t want puppies. Or if I lived in the countryside and my dog could roam safely (is it ever safe to roam?). My boy does come across bitches in heat. He goes ballistic. But I can quickly leash him up and take him away. No unwanted matings.

 

[Loraseal]

Very interesting topic. We are now on week 4 of the chemical castration. I really want Hunter to be intact but his humping orgies caused his elbows to flare up. We took this route in a hope that when he matures we can train/control him not to HUMP and he still will have his bits and bobs. It is a very personal choice for every owner.

 

[M.F.]

@Loraseal I have seen a marked decline in the frequency of Snowie’s desire to mount. I’m assuming it’s age. As a puppy till about 3 yo he was impossible—there were times I was so exasperated that I could have cut off his balls with my own two hands! At 7 yo he is so easy now, and also coupled with my better abilities to handle him: I know the signs to watch out for and I always carry very, very high-value treats in certain areas that we might encounter a bitch in heat, or coming into/off heat—that can also send him into a frenzy.

 

[Emily]

I know some places (e.g. daycare centres) don't allow intact dogs. I wonder if a vasectomy would enable you to get around that rule?

 

[Jen]

I know some places (e.g. daycare centres) don't allow intact dogs. I wonder if a vasectomy would enable you to get around that rule?

This is why we got Stanley done. TBH I definitely wouldn’t bother with a vasectomy, one of the biggest pros of Stanley’s castration was he instantly stopped humping which you wouldn’t get with a vasectomy. Don’t get me wrong, I would never castrate for humping alone - but it was a nice unexpected extra.

(Plenty of people round here still walk them and call ahead )

Same here - they walk them off lead as well I let them sweat now by not putting Stanley on his lead. I know my dog is castrated so there’s no fear of unwanted pups but they don’t and I always enjoy their look of panic as he approaches off lead

 

[snowbunny]

I know some places (e.g. daycare centres) don't allow intact dogs. I wonder if a vasectomy would enable you to get around that rule?

I did wonder about that, but I would imagine not. What are the reasons daycares give for requiring dogs to be castrated? Do they allow entire bitches? Because there is no change in the hormones with a vasectomy, it's not going to change any behaviour and vasectomised dogs will still tie with a bitch in season (even some castrated dogs will do this!). I assume that they require castration either because of behavioural concerns, or because it's easier to have a blanket policy that dogs of both sexes are sterilised.

 

[FayRose]

Here's a bit of trivia for you. Female ferrets (jills) don't come out of their season unless they are mated, or else they need an injection every season. If not, they can die! We had our two girls spayed for that reason, but some people keep a vasectomised boy (hob) to mate with their females so they come out of their season more naturally.

Well I never. This sounds like a fundamental cock up in the jill ferret design Are they genetically similar to weasels/stoats do you know and if so, I wonder if they are the same with permanent seasons?

 

[Aitch]

Bear has been entire all his life. Alex was castrated before I got him. There were a few humping times with Bear I would rather hadn't happened when he was young but I never really had any problems with him.
I think it is a personal choice with every dog owner as to whether to castrate their male dogs. My choice has always been to not bother. I thought long and hard about it when I was young and consulted various dog experts who all had differing opinions (no internet in those days) and just decided to see how it went without castration with the view that I could change my mind later if necessary. This was purely my own decision though and I don't judge or condemn anyone else for castrating their dogs.

 

[snowbunny]

Are they genetically similar to weasels/stoats do you know

They are the same family, mustelidae. I don't know if the others in the family have induced ovulation; many other species do, but they don't all have the same parameters for the induction, and so not all have the same issues. It's believed that the prolonged season is to increase the chance of reproduction in species with relatively short life spans and lower chances of meeting a mate.

 

[FayRose]

Thank you snowbunny, that's interesting.

 

[HAH]

I did wonder about that, but I would imagine not. What are the reasons daycares give for requiring dogs to be castrated? Do they allow entire bitches? Because there is no change in the hormones with a vasectomy, it's not going to change any behaviour and vasectomised dogs will still tie with a bitch in season (even some castrated dogs will do this!). I assume that they require castration either because of behavioural concerns, or because it's easier to have a blanket policy that dogs of both sexes are sterilised.

Exactly this; we’ve been told time and again by day care/boarding places they have a blanket policy on castrated dogs, and when I question it the message is always behavioural reasons. Makes me sad (and is bl**dy inconvenient!).

 

[edzbird]

his was purely my own decision though and I don't judge or condemn anyone else for castrating their dogs.

Yes, this. Too many people condemn others for their choice either way - none of their business.