Neutering an old dog?

emaleigh · 08-31-2010, 10:00 PM

I have a ten year old intact maltese boy and I was just wondering is he considered too old for the benefits of a neuter? He was a stud his whole life before I got him. I am just worried for the concerns of testicular cancer since he is no longer sexually active. He has dark patches on his testicles which had me concerned.

He was neglected a bit before I got him, hes a tad underweight still but otherwise in good health. The only thing I have noticed is sometimes when hes excited he snorts like a pug, just for a few seconds. The vet thinks its because hes had most of his teeth removed. The vet has also recommended a vasectomy over removing the testicles themselves. Which is best?

The breeder we got him from thinks he may get depressed if hes neutered and said hes infertile anyway now due to his age (hense his retirement) She also said older dogs are at higher risks at surgery. So what do you think... would you do it?

**fawkese1** · 08-31-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emaleigh

I have a ten year old intact maltese boy and I was just wondering is he considered too old for the benefits of a neuter? He was a stud his whole life before I got him. I am just worried for the concerns of testicular cancer since he is no longer sexually active. He has dark patches on his testicles which had me concerned.

He was neglected a bit before I got him, hes a tad underweight still but otherwise in good health. The only thing I have noticed is sometimes when hes excited he snorts like a pug, just for a few seconds. The vet thinks its because hes had most of his teeth removed. The vet has also recommended a vasectomy over removing the testicles themselves. Which is best?

The breeder we got him from thinks he may get depressed if hes neutered and said hes infertile anyway now due to his age (hense his retirement) She also said older dogs are at higher risks at surgery. So what do you think... would you do it?

on the snorting, i think that maltese are brachiocyphalic... (i know i probably butchered the spelling on that one

) so they have smooshie faces too....

on the surgery... i would be inclined to neuter him, if he is healthy otherwise... i'm not opposed to leaving a male dog intact tho, and there are studies being done (tho limited) that suggest that they are healthier when left intact... did your vet seem concerned about the health risks due to his age?

**Cali** · 09-01-2010, 12:26 AM

Quote:

He was neglected a bit before I got him, hes a tad underweight still but otherwise in good health. 1. The only thing I have noticed is sometimes when hes excited he snorts like a pug, just for a few seconds. The vet thinks its because hes had most of his teeth removed. The vet has also recommended a vasectomy over removing the testicles themselves. Which is best?

2. The breeder we got him from thinks he may get depressed if hes neutered and said hes infertile anyway now due to his age (hense his retirement) She also said older dogs are at higher risks at surgery. So what do you think... would you do it?

1. Sounds like reverse sneeze to me- pretty common in little dogs like Maltese and yorkies.
2. He won't get depressed, dogs don't have the emotional attatchment to their testicles that men do.

I would talk to your vet about neutering at his age- of there's a large risk he wouldn't recover from surgery I probably wouldn't do it. A neuter is a pretty simple surgery though.
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