"Fixing' Corgi puppies

[Michael Romanos]

Neutering and spaying of puppies as young as 6 weeks is considered safe and is actually recommended as the better time to perform these 'operations.'

Research has found that very young puppies suffer from no more complications in being 'fixed' than do older dogs.

Young puppies do very well with the anesthetics.

Younger healthy dogs actually recover earlier - most puppies are active and even playful within a few hours after surgery.

Concerns such as a dog's growth, future abesity and overall health are largely unfounded.

[glencorgi]

Quote your source.

Debbie

[glencorgi]

Well, in order not to violate copyright laws; here are some links to more articles on the subject:

Pro: Early Spay/Neuter: An Overview
Early Spay & Neuter

And some negatives:
Health Effects of Spay/Neuter
www.avalyde.com/Articles/Spay_Neuter.pdf

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

Just to throw in my two cents. I do believe in a more balanced decision process on the timing of spay/neuter versus a widespread view that all animals should be spayed/neutered at a particular age. The following is just my opinion based on articles such as the two links that Debbie posted, and is therefore open to (much) debate.

The intent of very early spay/neuter (under 6 month) is targeted toward reducing pet overpopulation, with not much regard for potential health implications which may occur years later in the animal's life. I believe early spay/neuter is a necessity for animal shelters and rescue organizations, and an option for reputable breeders to ensure that their pet-quality animals are not bred.

For most of us pet owners, spaying/neutering around 6 months is most likely still the best option just to make the pet easier to live with through adolescence. Teenage pups are easier to handle and train without the additional raging hormones.

Pet owners with an interest in entering sports or athletics, those who will be absolutely responsible in not allowing a pet-quality animal to breed, may wish to wait until the animal is mature to spay/neuter as there is scientific research indicating fewer bone and other health problems in animals who are spayed/neutered at one year or later. These health differences may be negligible, but canine athletes will have more stress on joints/bones, so waiting may be a reasonable option.

Every pet should be considered individually as to the ideal timing for spay/neuter.

[MattC]

We picked Nick up at 10 weeks and he was already neutered. His dew claws were pulled too. All but one that is. His front left paws still has a dew claw. My vet believes that the breeder just didn't get "all of the nail" when she removed the dew claw the first time. Why are dew claws removed? Are they a threat to the animals well being or are humans just sick of getting scratched by them?

[Chip's Mom]

In my opinion it is a good thing to remove the dewclaws at a very early age. They very easily catch that nail on different things and tear it. It is very painful for them. Dale and Taffy's dewclaws have been removed but Chip still has his. If they are removed when they are older, it is much more painful.

Personally, I wouldn't want my dogs to be neutered or spayed that early. I think they are much to young but just my personal opinion. Six months has been a good age for my three.

[MattC]

Yeah, you know a lot folks feels the same way. Nick's breeder was just very rigorous about spaying and neutering i guess. Living in New York you meet a lot of people with opinions and sometimes they can be aggressive about them too. One lady actually yelled at me when I told her that I crate trained Nick.

[MyPemCharlie]

Originally Posted by MattC

One lady actually yelled at me when I told her that I crate trained Nick.

LOL I yelled at a friend several years ago for not crating his puppy. Actually, I yelled at him for going home every day and spanking his "stupid puppy who poops and pees all over the apartment, when she knows better". He thought crate training was cruel.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MattC

We picked Nick up at 10 weeks and he was already neutered. His dew claws were pulled too. All but one that is. His front left paws still has a dew claw. My vet believes that the breeder just didn't get "all of the nail" when she removed the dew claw the first time.

Dew claws are not "pulled". They are removed, cut off. And yes, if you don't get it all it can grow back. I have dew claws on my puppies removed when I have their tails docked.

Why are dew claws removed? Are they a threat to the animals well being or are humans just sick of getting scratched by them?

Yes, they can be a threat to the animal. My first dog was a Golden Retreiver I got from rescue. He had dew claws on his front legs. He got one caught in his collar one day and nearly ripped it off.

It is optional to remove them according to the standard. But IMO, if it's ok to take them off, they come off. Better to take them off when the puppy is a day or two old than to have it ripped off in an accident later.

They don't serve any useful purpose and they are hard for many people to cut the nail on. If not kept short they can grow into the skin.

Remember that as a newborn the nerve endings are not mature and there is less pain to have tails docked and dewclaws removed then.

Peggy

[Chip's Mom]

MattC - I know the feeling, I had two ladies try to give me a lecture on cratefeeding my three and I simply told them to raise their dogs the way they saw fit and I would raise mine the way I saw fit. You are right, people have many different opinions. Many dogs here are spayed or neutered that early especially when they are purchased from a rescue group or animal shelter. Unfortunately, some people aren't trustworthy to do what they promised to do so people are forced to take matters into their own hands.

[LaRogue]

Thank you Debbie for the links that provided the actual medical pros and cons.

I don't think I would be comfortable having a puppy spayed/neutered before 6 months.

He thought crate training was cruel.

I was one of those people until about 15 years ago, even though growing up we had a crate for our dog. I had some kind of "puppy in the cage" syndrome-go figure! Now, I wouldn't dream of not having a crate for my corgi to have as his very own special place.

Dew claws are not "pulled". They are removed, cut off. And yes, if you don't get it all it can grow back. I have dew claws on my puppies removed when I have their tails docked.

I also thought they were "pulled." Thanks for setting us straight on that. Can the dew claws be taken out when the dog is under for a different procedure or should they just be left in once they are an adult?

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by LaRogue

Can the dew claws be taken out when the dog is under for a different procedure or should they just be left in once they are an adult?

Yes they can. Max, the double merle deaf Cardigan rescue I fostered had his removed when he was about 18 months old. The nails had grown into his legs and they were removed when he was neutered. Makes walking a little tentative for a while, but it can be done. Most vets won't unless there are other issues involved.

Debbie