Why is this ridiculous?

[Amstaffer]

I went to the Wisconsin Pet Expo today and was watching a Vet answer questions about different health issues for pets.

I had a question that she answered by saying "Well that is ridiculous" and wouldn't answer further.

What was my question? Why don't they do Vasectomies on male dogs? My reason for asking.....I have been considering getting another dog and all rescues that I have spoke with neuter right away and I worry about the health problems from neutering before sexual maturity ( http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf )

So the obvious solution would be a vasectomy. Just the suggestion actually seem to anger the Vet at this event....why is it so ridiculous? I realize that some people neuter for behavior problems but I think that is a short cut and training/socializing can take care of.

What do you think?

 

[Artfish]

I think it was a cop-out. Vasectomies are excellent alternatives to neutering where a dog can keep its hormones without worrying about having unwanted litters. I wish Vs would be more common, same with straight hysterectomies as opposed to ovariohysterectomies.

 

[Criosphynx]

she didn't have an answer....


or she didnt want to go into it.

 

[bubbatd]

Good question and bad answer !

 

[elegy]

because testicles are the devil!!! they must be removed as soon as possible before they make the dog Dominant, Aggressive, and Insane With Pent Up Lust.

that's the only explanation i can come up with. vasectomies make absolutely perfect sense to me.

we are so weird about dog testicles in this country.

 

[colliewog]

because testicles are the devil!!!

:rofl1::rofl1::rofl1::rofl1::rofl1:

 

[MandyPug]

I personally find doggy balls unattractive especially on small dogs where they take up so much space you can't even hold the dog without their fuzzy little balls touching you, but that's just me and my issues which hold no bearing in the big scheme of things... I think if you're responsible i see no issue with the dogs keeping their nutters.

I think vasectomies and regular hysterectomies should be available. Hormones are important and certain people will always want their males to have balls. So why not make it available so those that are either concerned about hormones or overly worried about image for their male dogs can prevent unwanted litters and still ease their concerns. I think these would be cheaper surgeries too, so maybe a lower cost procedure would be more appealing to people?

 

[sillysally]

because testicles are the devil!!!

See, that's what I keep telling my husband....:rofl1:

I think it was a very unprofessional answer to a perfectly legitimate question....

 

[Lizmo]

I'm sure to the sane person her opinion just lost about, oh, all it's worth when she answered you like that.

we are so weird about dog testicles in this country.

:hail: :rofl1:

 

[Sweet72947]

From a rescue POV - a great many dogs end up in shelters as strays who's owners do not claim them, so they have no medical history to accompany them. Its pretty easy to check at a glance if a male dog is sterlized (and its the law in a lot of states, including VA, for a rescue to neuter a dog before placement), and even with a hairy dog, just pat them back there and you know.

With a vasectomy, how can you tell? Would there be a scar? On a hairy dog would you (or the vet) have to go groping about looking for a little scar?

And that makes me think of more questions. I wonder, if vasectomies did become widespread, if rescues would even care, or if they would do a full neuter "just in case", thus making dogs go under anesthesia multiple times? Hmm.

I don't think anything is wrong with vasectomies, just kinda thinking out loud.

 

[Amstaffer]

From a rescue POV - a great many dogs end up in shelters as strays who's owners do not claim them, so they have no medical history to accompany them. Its pretty easy to check at a glance if a male dog is sterlized (and its the law in a lot of states, including VA, for a rescue to neuter a dog before placement), and even with a hairy dog, just pat them back there and you know.

With a vasectomy, how can you tell? Would there be a scar? On a hairy dog would you (or the vet) have to go groping about looking for a little scar?

And that makes me think of more questions. I wonder, if vasectomies did become widespread, if rescues would even care, or if they would do a full neuter "just in case", thus making dogs go under anesthesia multiple times? Hmm.

I don't think anything is wrong with vasectomies, just kinda thinking out loud.

Much better answer than she gave me, I didn't need her to like the idea I was just looking for a medical opinion on the idea.

 

[FoxyWench]

personally i see no issue with a vs as long as the owner is aware there remains a risk of testicular cancer and potential for prostate conditions as well as all the "risks" of having an "intact" male remain because the source of testosterone is still in place...
and if it became a regular thing i would think an easy solution for the "is he or isnt he" would be as simple as a small tattoo like they do on spayed animals sometimes, a symbol that would be easily recognized somewhere easy to see either on the tummy, inner thigh or just inside the ear. something small, unobtrusive but easily recognizable...

i think theres a couple reason sits not "popular" though...
1: males retain their testicles, therefore while the plumbing is disconnected they still have all the same urges of an intact male...
being the majority of people neuter to control said behaviours (because you know training has nothing to do with it ) it woudlnt make any difference and therefore a waste of time...
2: it costs just as much to neuter as it does to "snip" and a neuter is impossible to "screw up" (vasectomies can fail)

 

[Artfish]

Sweet, VERY good point! An easy way to check is to collect the dog and check for any swimmers. It's not surgical and the dog gets a good experience at the vet. :rofl1: Or maybe a tattoo can be standardized for vasectomies that indicate the dog was done.

 

[ihartgonzo]

I think that's a very valid question!

Unneutered boys are treated like barbarians, I swear... it's like people don't realize that dogs have only been neutered in very recent years... and they weren't running around mauling each other before neutering became common. D: Honestly, I think the downfalls to having an intact male are nothing compared to dealing with doggy periods! I don't even want to deal with human periods, ew.

It irks me that at work (and virtually any daycare) intact males are so isolated, like they're ticking timebombs. I see wayyy more aggro neutered males. Not to mention all of the dogs who were very obviously neutered too young, who never fully matured, who are structurally unsound and who don't even know how to be a boy dog. I think it's sad, that less invasive and life changing options aren't widely available, like vascectomies. I mean, it makes way more sense than neuticles!

 

[Jules]

because testicles are the devil!!!

That's a lie! Just ask Teeny! :rofl1:

 

[adojrts]

I would expect the Pros of keeping them almost intact with a vasectomy would be the same for a without the risk of breeding.
I don't know if this article has been posted before but it is certainly worth a read.

This list of health problems that a dog can get from early spay/neuter is staggering vs keeping them intact.

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

 

[Pops2]

why do dogs have to be unconcious to be sterilized? we never did for calves & shoats to be steered or barred. heck we even did it to grown wild boars in spring & summer so they would be better eating in the fall (back before the hog population exploded). i know old timers that did their own dogs and didn't knock them out first just tied them up good.

 

[ihartgonzo]

why do dogs have to be unconcious to be sterilized? we never did for calves & shoats to be steered or barred. heck we even did it to grown wild boars in spring & summer so they would be better eating in the fall (back before the hog population exploded). i know old timers that did their own dogs and didn't knock them out first just tied them up good.

Probably because those animals are raised for human consumption, and generally aren't viewed as family members or companions...

I would DIE before castrating my dogs conscious. I can't imagine that they would ever allow me to touch them again after that!

 

[Pops2]

didn't seem to be a problem for the old gents i met that did it themselves. the dogs still loved & trusted them and worked hard for them.
ona side note i was awake when i got snipped (stupidly did not take the second pill before going to sleep) and it takes alot out of you for a couple of days.

 

[Crowsfeet]

"i was awake when i got snipped (stupidly did not take the second pill before going to sleep) and it takes alot out of you for a couple of days."




..also, when was the last time you tied your own up pretty good?
(maybe this could work for my boyfriend)