jessg Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I am looking at getting a vastectomy for my rottie and was wondering if anyone has done the same for their pup and how it has gone? I have looked into it and I am so paranoid about cancer after losing my boy last year I want to try my hardest to prevent it and look after my new pup. There is a vet in perth who recommends them but I haven't actually spoken to anyone who has had it done. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Sorry to hear about your boy passing of cancer jessg recently. No, I have not had a vasectomy performed as yet. I think vasectomizing puppies is a wonderful for breeders to protect their lines. I may even be going down that path with my male pet puppies later this year. If you don't mind me asking, I'm just wondering what cancers you feel might be prevented from vasectomizing your new puppy. What advantages do you believe this will give you and your dog as opposed to leaving him entire? Or is it that you are considering vasectomy as opposed to castration? Some studies now show that many cancers appear to be more prevalent in desexed dogs, particularly larger breeds such as Rottweilers. Castrating a male is the only way we can guarantee he will not get testicular cancer. He can still get prostate cancer. Some studies show that prostate cancer is more prevalent in desexed males than entire males. Pros and cons of desexing versus leaving entire is a topic that is often argued, understandably. Vasectomizing is certainly far better than castration regarding allowing the puppy to maintain it's growth hormones and mature how he should. But if health and the best thing for your puppy is your main priority in your decision making (and I gather it is because you are taking this time to look into vasectomizing which is terrific) I encourage you to do some further research. You may find that not desexing at all is an even better fit for you, your dog and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessg Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 Thanks for your reply. From what I have read so far it reduces the risk of lymphoma and haemangiosarcoma and other cancers. Haemangiosarcoma is what I lost my boy to and I don't want to see another one of my dogs go through that. If this could potentially lower his risk I am all for it. I want him to continue to have his hormones that will add it in his growth and good health but am concerned about him having pups or wandering to find a female and getting hurt. He has the most beautiful temperment and is the biggest sook so I am not concerned about aggression or anything like that. He is so gentle with my cats and well behaved around the horses. He is an awesome little guy! I might take him to the vet that does the vestactomy and have a chat. I am thinking though if I do choose to go down that path I would like to collect and freeze his swimmers Incase I ever want to breed. Not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Leaving a dog entire does not cause him to have puppies or have access to entire bitches... irresponsible owners with inadequate containment do that :) Keep in mind, vasectomizing him will not take away his sexual drive and desire for chasing bitches in season or even prevent him from mating them. He would likely still drive you nuts (no pun intended) if there was an entire bitch nearby. He will be exactly the same dog, but unable to make the bitch pregnant. I suggest you have all relevant health testing done in accordance with our national breed council prior to having him collected or it will be a waste of your money and time if you have to discard the semen later down the track if your dog doesn't cut the grade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I am wondering how a vasectomy prevents cancer? All you are doing is destroying the tubes that carry the semen and leaving the testicles in. If you want to prevent him getting to a bitch get a decent fence. If you want him to behave train and socialise him properly. If it was my dog I wouldn't bother with a vasectomy at all, it's just an unnecessary anaesthetic to go through. Starkehre makes some great points, if you want to breed get his main register papers, do all your health tests which the Rottweiler club in your state can help you with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 You had an awful time losing your boy previously ... and I'm glad you have a lovely new pup :) Everyone has said what I was going to say - he will STILL want to mate , and can mate . Vasectomy will not stop any behaviours associated with testosterone , either. If he is not safely contained , yes, he can still wander . perhaps use money reserved for surgery on a dog run, or fence repairs? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessg Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 Nehkbet the reason I was thinking of the vastectomy was Incase he did mate with another dog there wouldn't be pups not to prevent cancer. I didn't want to desex him to prevent cancer. Sorry it that was confusing. I am leaning towards leaving him entire. I didn't think that he would still have those urges and behaviour. The vet had suggested coming in and discussing all options but he is against sterilisation unless needed for medical reasons. He also said we could see if it was even worth freezing the semen but if I am going to keep him entire that may not be an issue. I was worried about keeping him entire as I have never had an entire male dog and people keep freaking me out with stories! I live on 5 acres with good horse fencing but might get him the electronic fence too. Plus some training. Not sure what else I can do to keep everyone happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 jessg, you need to keep yourself and your dog happy, not anyone else. That said, you need to go into this with your eyes wide open. I am thrilled to hear you have a knowledgeable vet who obviously knows about the issues related to desexing, particularly early desexing. If a dog and bitch have an unplanned mating, puppies being produced is not the only negative outcome. Other things can go wrong. Either or both dogs can get injured. Infections and sexually transmitted diseases can be passed on. This should not be something that is OK with you just because your male won't be producing puppies. Build a secure separate backyard for your dog. He will not stay contained by horse fencing. It is would be naïve and irresponsible to believe he will do so. Living on property with dogs does not mean that they should not be properly contained as they would in a suburban house block. This is essential. I used to live on acreage and will again one day soon. My dogs were always properly contained so at no time was their risk of them being where they shouldn't, behaving as they shouldn't or causing a negative impact on anyone else in the area. You owe this to your dog, yourself, your community and above all else our wonderful breed. Rottweilers are one of the oldest herding/droving breed in the world. Their instinct to work stock is very strong. Working stock is a form of controlled prey drive. Training is the biggest component of Rottweiler ownership. Providing quality and consistent training, boundaries and structure throughout your dog's life is an absolute must, not an after thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Your dog needs a separate well fenced enclosure - definitely. :) As you are probably learning now ..all a vasectomy does is stop sperm being ejaculated . it does NOT stop production of hormones, and all that goes with it. if you want to keep your sanity, and know your dog is as safe as you can have him ..then lots of training, plus a purpose built, dog proof enclosure is the way to go :) A good strong and high fence , with provision for shelter , and construction which will also stop digging underneath. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessg Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 I have an older female rotti and have had 2 prior to this pup so I have not taken on this pup without knowing what's involved with owning a rotti. The only thing I haven't had is an entire male before and that is why I am trying to learn as much as I can to keep everyone safe. My horse fencing is high mesh so the dogs cannot get in there with hot wire. I have had them there for 3 years with no issues. I also was going to run the containment fence around with the collars. At the moment while I have construction going on they are in a dog yard with a high fence and dug into the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessg Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 I also want to point out that I am not OK with him getting out and potentially mating for many reasons. I have a cat with FIV and have fostered both cats and dogs with illnesses they have caught whilst out on the street and have seen how sick these animals can get so I am not ok with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Wandering is not just an entire male thing... I can tell you the greater majority of the problem dogs I see are desexed and this is with the behaviors that most people want to scare you with about undesexed dogs. If you're worried about him wandering build a dog yard or a dog run and put him in there when you are not home. Remember testicles are natural ;) stop worrying about your dog and enjoy him. Leave him entire and just have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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