Best Age To Neuter a Monorchid OES?
One one hand, a retained testicle is said to have a higher rate of developing one (or more) of three different types of cancers. Does anyone know at what age this is likely to occur? Quote: Retained testes also have a tendency to develop neoplasic changes. The risk of neoplasia in retained testis has been reported to be 9 to 14 times higher than in the scrotal testis [7,8], with Sertoli cell tumors and seminomas being the most common tumors [9].
On the other hand, we want them to mature enough with the God given hormones to hopefully prevent osteosarcoma, low thyroid, skeletal problems, etc. I've got links to medical data but none indicate the age at which to neuter a cryptorchid dog. So... what age is best to neuter a large breed dog like an OES that is a perfect angel in all other regards? There has been no humping of humans or other dogs since the first week he arrived (thanks Lisa... your advice was sound and extremely effective). He's never been mouthy and has seldom put his mouth on us. Kisses, yes but no teeth. No aggression whatsoever. Yeah, I know... no one believes us when we say we have a puppy-boy like this.  I've never experienced a dog like him either.
The only problem is he has that darned retained testicle. How long is it safe to wait to neuter him? At what age do the cancers start becoming a problem? The purchase agreement says he must be neutered by 1 year. One other thing I've considered... just having the hidden testicle removed now... the other one later. Any views and data that can be shared?  |
|
|
| we bought two male who were monchids - both of whom the testicles descended when they were home with us - one was 10 weeks old, one 15. however, while we initially discussed neutering them at a later age (after one year) none of the vets thought that was too log to wait for the monochid condition. neutering under a year is not a good health option and perhaps your contract could be revised - or "stretched " out. |
Jaci - I don't know for certain, but I do know an agility friend had her monorchid Golden's undescended testicle removed and left the other one. When did I see her? (I was playing with him and caused him to rip a stitch  ) I think he may have been 18 mos old. I don't know that she had solid data to go on either. She's not having the other removed as intact dogs tend to be bettered muscled and so on (testosterone); helpful in an agility dog.
However, if both eventually are going to go (he sounds lovely - temperament - by the way), it would be nice to not have to put him under twice. Unless he comes from a line of very large OES, perhaps your vet and breeder could be asked if about 14-15 mos would be a satisfactory age for both of them? His growth plates have most likely closed by then, so that's a biggie. Just a thought. Kristine |
| I would not put him through surgery twice if it can be avoided. I'd wait til a year old and then have them both removed. |
| I am starting to think WAIT!!!!
Not too late to cancel... Bumbles said he will dial for ya!  |
Yeah... the double anesthetic might be worse than simply waiting. Do you know if they can find the "lost one" using ultrasound? The vet has small hands and seems very confident that she'll be able to find it. I just hate the idea of having to search for it. 
Quote: Not too late to cancel...
Bumbles said he will dial for ya! Jim canceled it at 8am this morning.
I had stayed up for hours reading medical info on neuter/monorchid dogs after we talked. You hear "increased cancer risk" and think things have to be done right away in an effort to prevent it. The vet had mentioned she had found all 3 types of cancer in one dog but I failed to ask about the dog's age. Thanks, for pointing that out, Kathy. I think I needed to hear all these opinions from OES lovers again. Thank you! |
| Jaci personally I would wait till 12 months or older and get both done at the same time.
I think the benefits of him maturing more outweighs the maybe or maybe not later in life risks. Had this discussion with one of my puppy owners who has the other bitch. You can relate it the same way as the males. There vet told them increased risk of Mammery Tumours if not done before first heat, did not mention any benefits of having a first heat, just one negative with the owner. Well after a lot of discussion between both of us, we have decided the benefits of her having that first heat far outweighs the minumal risk factors doing her before that first heat. Amazing how vets push this being done earlier, I think personally they scare owners into it earlier as it is more convenient for them to operate on a pup then a larger young adult. They also dont discuss all the Pro's and cons on both sides of the debate for an owner to get all the correct information to make an informative decision as to when.
Now a friend of mine who had this problem with the undescended testie, her vet would not do it until after 12 months of age. Sometimes I think you can read too much in researching when is the right time, like keeping a boy intact and the higher risk of maybe Prostrate problems etc later in life. Might with some but not all, same with the bitches and what might happen with them spaying early or leaving them to mature, so I think you just weigh up the benefits vs the maybe or maybe not.
I think there will always be the great debate on de-sexing when is the best time to do it, if no problems happening with your boy and it sounds like not, then I personally think let him mature more and his body and hormones develope more as I think it outweighs the maybe's or maybe not's in the future. |
lisaoes wrote: Amazing how vets push this being done earlier, I think personally they scare owners into it earlier as it is more convenient for them to operate on a pup then a larger young adult. They also dont discuss all the Pro's and cons on both sides of the debate for an owner to get all the correct information to make an informative decision as to when.
I think a lot of vets push it just because so many owners are so darned irresponsible and they figure the earlier the spay or neuter, the less chance of these idiots letting their dogs get loose and getting pregnant or getting another dog pregnant (of another owner who hasn't spayed or neutered their dog!). It's probably a habit that's hard to break when they see so much of it. On the other hand, I'm continually surprised by vets that seem to give bad or downright incorrect advice to people. That is really concerning. The worst part is, if you try to tell someone that what their vet said isn't right, it's really hard to trump a doctor's word even if you know you're correct! |
ButtersStotch wrote: lisaoes wrote: Amazing how vets push this being done earlier, I think personally they scare owners into it earlier as it is more convenient for them to operate on a pup then a larger young adult. They also dont discuss all the Pro's and cons on both sides of the debate for an owner to get all the correct information to make an informative decision as to when. I think a lot of vets push it just because so many owners are so darned irresponsible and they figure the earlier the spay or neuter, the less chance of these idiots letting their dogs get loose and getting pregnant or getting another dog pregnant (of another owner who hasn't spayed or neutered their dog!). It's probably a habit that's hard to break when they see so much of it. On the other hand, I'm continually surprised by vets that seem to give bad or downright incorrect advice to people. That is really concerning. The worst part is, if you try to tell someone that what their vet said isn't right, it's really hard to trump a doctor's word even if you know you're correct! you know I doubt if the irresponsible pet owners are even asking about spay/neuter. I really think its is a convenience that has taken on a political truth. But I always tell people (hubby ?) that vets are experts at medical issues and nutrition and spay neuter really don't come under that rubric do they? |
| No, I wasn't implying that the owners were asking, rather that the vets started pushing early for that very reason. |
| I know my pupper got ill from his cryptorchid's Sertoli tumor (cancerous) around the age of 11. I'd get both of them out of there at normal neutering age, whatever that is. |
ButtersStotch wrote: No, I wasn't implying that the owners were asking, rather that the vets started pushing early for that very reason.
I have never had my vet ask about neutering or spaying any of my dogs. the two that were neutered in the last few years we instigated the conversation. and they were different vets. |
| We had our 1st OES Ollie neuterd when he was about 6 yrs or so. He never had any behavior issues at all. Not even when Macy came in heat, having other dogs here for herding, never spiked in house or roamed.
So why did we have it done?? Because he got these sores on his scrotum that looked like rug burn a few times. He licked them and they always ended up infected. I was afraid something bad would happen, so he got neutered. Problem solved.  Our vet said it as the most original reason every given for getting a dog neutered!
Chewie is just as good - in fact all the good qualities of Ollie, plus he actually has his own"off" switch and is the calmest guy ever. And always was. Seeing he has all this hair, I never tell people he is intact. He would ruin all that info out there about why people should neuter pets.
I would wait as long as you are comfortable with the undecended one, then have the surgery done. |
| We'll wait to have him neutered.
Thanks again for taking time to share your opinions and experiences! |
| PLs read the following on this link,
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTerm ... InDogs.pdf |
6Girls wrote: He's never been mouthy and has seldom put his mouth on us. Kisses, yes but no teeth. No aggression whatsoever. Yeah, I know... no one believes us when we say we have a puppy-boy like this.
I've never experienced a dog like him either. I have had the pleasure of spending some time with one of Bumble's brothers. These are certainly some very calm and very large dogs. Gentle giants and very loving. Good luck resolving this issue. I am guessing it will all be just fine with him, no matter what your decision! |
| It's so nice to hear about his relatives.
Thanks for sharing this. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|