Scoots

How do you feel about it? We have finally found a breeder we like and are in the process of completing the application/deposit stage. One of the questions they ask is whether you want to have your dog spayed/neutered by their vet prior to 8 weeks (at their expense). If we choose no, the contract states that we have to wait until after 1 year to sterilize or their health guarantee is voided. Not sure why, as we were hoping to have it done around 6 months, which is what we did for our current dog. I'm fine with the pediatric spay/neuter if it's fine for the dog, but I don't know enough about it.

Why would they put the one year stipulation in if they offer pediatric neutering/spaying? Would you have your dog spayed/neutered before 8 weeks, and why or why not?

Marian

I would not have my dog spayed or neutered before 8 weeks of age*, and the part about making you wait a year doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever. But I'm not a breeder and there are more knowledgeable people on this forum. I just felt like responding because it seemed kind of bizarre.

*but I don't have a reason for it, other than it just seems too young. I know for male dogs, you have to wait until the testicles descend, or it becomes a more major operation.

wishpoo

I would never fix my dog before he/she is at least 8 mos and preferably one year old.

Your dog needs those hormones to fully develop and many new research papers show benefits of "later neutering and spaying". That is why they want you to wait for a year or they will void their health warranty - hence they think that fixing early can cause some health problems.

BUT, I do not understand than why they are PRO pediatric "fixing"

PS: Your Avatar is adorable : )))

Harley_chik

I think pediatric spay/neuter is very risky for many reasons (including anesthesia), especially in med/large breeds. It makes no sense to offer spay/neuter at 8 weeks, but say speutering before 1yr voids the health contract. I would be leary of that breeder, their logic is off, IMO. And if it's off about that, what else?

Cdnjennga

Agreed with everyone above. They advocate pediatric speutering, yet if you don't do it, you have to wait to a year? Seems strange to me.

bigpoodleperson

I agree. Have you asked the breeder her reasoning for that?

Olie

At first glance this seems extreme. Olie was neutered with in week of birth BUT he had to have surgery on a problem thus they did both at the same time. (thank God no problems)

I dont know for a fact on the risks although some make sence - being put under just for that, but if it is that risky why would a vet do it, is my curiousity?

True story- our vet told us to have ours done anytime after 12 weeks, I did Coco around 20 weeks or so and Aoki at 7 months. The vet claimed that especially with females early spay reduses the risks of canser - this was not me the vet. IDK, very interesting topic.

spoos4us

This sounds like the same breeder I went thru last year and when I didn't agree to her pediatric spay I believe to this day that she sent me a puppy from a different litter then what I purchased from

ArreauStandardPoodle

I absolutely, positively disagree with the idea of pediatric spaying and neutering. The dogs need the hormones to grow to be all they can be. When I see video on some breeder sites of puppies just home from the vet after the entire litter is done, my stomach turns. In all honesty, it reminds me of concentration camps. The males never grow to be muscular and solid like males should be. I find the practice disgusting. Sorry if this offends anyone.

Harley_chik

Vets give bad advice all the time, especially when they can make money off of it. How many still prescribe Heartguard to Collies? I had one vet give me promeris for my cats and another vet, at the same clinic, told me it was bad for cats and they didn't even sell it. Sure enough the display was sitting in the lobby. Look at all the vets that sign off on health certificates for sickly petstore puppies. If a large scale breeder wants something done, how many vet are really going to say no and risk losing their business and any potential business from their puppy buyers? And on the reverse how many vets ignore knowledgable small scale breeders when it comes to breed specific issues?