Can anyone spare some reassurance please

[Mudmagnets]

Thank you all for your replies, I really do appreciate it  . Its all so tricky with him being my first dog, think my inexperience is definitely showing. The vet told us to have his neutered as soon as he turned 5 months and wasnt happy when I said no. I really wanted to wait until at least 12-18 months. However, when we went in about his leg, she checked him again and said I was seriously putting him at risk of cancer not getting him neutered now (he is only 8 months). That just freaked me out completely, in fact I felt pretty rubbish, would hate to think I was putting him at risk of anything.

Then If that is what she seriously believes then she ought to have no objections in writing to the insurance people to tell them so - as it is not a choice operation then. I think some of these professionals with some knowledge and strong beliefs do try to bamboozle you into doing what they want. and it is a hell of a lot of money that they want for the op too. Think I would shop around, ask for a second opinion too. I too think it should be a combined effort with vets and owners for the good of the critter

[elaine.e]

My vet definitely wanted me to have William castrated because of the undescended testicle and warned that there was a small chance, even at a young age, of the undescended one becoming cancerous. But she also said that she prefers not to neuter dogs until their bones and muscles are maturing. She felt that with a dog the size of a Cocker it was best to wait until at least 1 year old to enable their bodies to come through most of their growing naturally.

I felt that I wasn't put under any pressure but was given the options to enable me to make my own decision, which was to wait until he was 15 months old.

[Harveypops]

Could you subtly book to see another vet to get a second opinion.

[Ninasmum]

Thank you all for your replies, I really do appreciate it  . Its all so tricky with him being my first dog, think my inexperience is definitely showing. The vet told us to have his neutered as soon as he turned 5 months and wasnt happy when I said no. I really wanted to wait until at least 12-18 months. However, when we went in about his leg, she checked him again and said I was seriously putting him at risk of cancer not getting him neutered now (he is only 8 months). That just freaked me out completely, in fact I felt pretty rubbish, would hate to think I was putting him at risk of anything.

Personally, I would consider changing my vets and think this is terrible scaremongering for your vet to tell you he is at risk of cancer at such a young age (unless there are other medical reasons?? )

Don't forget that you and Jack are their customer and you obviously have his health and wellbeing as a priority.  If there is no medical reason for neutering so young, please hang in there and do want you think is best for your little Jack. 

My boy was neutered at 16 months (reluctantly) because we also have 2 girls now but we probably wouldn't have got him done otherwise.

[little_jack]

There are so many things I'm learning. I never thought the vet would be an issue, they are professionals after all. I also need to trust my own feelings as well I guess. I think if I was a more experienced dog owner then I probably would. Going to another vet is definitely an idea although this particular vet group was recommended to me. There aren't any other medical reasons relating to the vets urgency at neutering (unless the vet has chosen not to share them with me). The two other vets I have used in owning other animals were not the best but may be worth giving another shot now.Thanks so much for the replies. It's so helpful to be able to get honest advice from experienced dog owners.

Kayli

[Mudmagnets]

Thank you all for your replies, I really do appreciate it  . Its all so tricky with him being my first dog, think my inexperience is definitely showing. The vet told us to have his neutered as soon as he turned 5 months and wasnt happy when I said no. I really wanted to wait until at least 12-18 months. However, when we went in about his leg, she checked him again and said I was seriously putting him at risk of cancer not getting him neutered now (he is only 8 months). That just freaked me out completely, in fact I felt pretty rubbish, would hate to think I was putting him at risk of anything.

Personally, I would consider changing my vets and think this is terrible scaremongering for your vet to tell you he is at risk of cancer at such a young age (unless there are other medical reasons?? )

Don't forget that you and Jack are their customer and you obviously have his health and wellbeing as a priority.  If there is no medical reason for neutering so young, please hang in there and do want you think is best for your little Jack. 

My boy was neutered at 16 months (reluctantly) because we also have 2 girls now but we probably wouldn't have got him done otherwise.

Sorry!! but that is not wot I wrote at all, my reply is in purple writing.

[black taz]

I had Taz done at 7 months on vets advice.  My parents have used this same vet for 25 years and she came highly recommended from them.  She advised at 6 months to have him done but did not put any pressure on me - i decided to have him done over christmas last year so i was at home most of the time whilst recovering (not that that took long).

[LOOBIE]

Hi my vet's also recommended I had Archie done as soon as he was 6mths old, but he then swallowed the pop sock resulting in major op so I really dont want to have to put him through another lot of surgery just yet. My vet's totally understood and said to re think about it in the summer. Archie is now 8mths on Tues and the vet said he can be done really anytime but best before he is 24mths. What area are you in, maybe speak to other dog owners and ask which vets they use etc, at the end of the day a good recommendation from a few people can help, and don't do anything in haste.

[SimonandMandy]

Definitely worth asking around and perhaps a second opinion, as others have said it can take up to 18 months for both to descend and it is not uncommon, we were lucky in that Harvey's second one came down at about 6 months.   We had to make the decision in the end at 10 months and it was the right thing to do for Harvey but each dog is different.  Jack is still very young so you may not need to rush a decision.

Another option, is if you go to training have a chat with your trainer as well, our trainer is also a behaviourist and her advice based on what she had seen of Harvey's development over a 20 week period was to wait for as long as possible before neuturing as sexual maturity is not the only impact (we didn't have the undescended issues by this time though). 

[supergirl]

Don't feel that because they are professionals and are what they are, that you don't have a right to check what they are saying and compare prices with another practice if you're concerned.

Good luck
Hannah xxx

Completely agree - I have lost faith in my vets (which is a large practice) partly through experience, but also because even in the same practice different vets give different opinions.  I was considering getting Roly done when Misha is spade in Feb, but had decided to leave it until he was older and had told my vets this.  I also added that since he did have some behaviour issues (separation anxiety), so unless he became overly amourous I might not get it done at all.  The response was "what a load of rubbish".  So will be taking the business elsewhere.  I have been with them for about 8 years and its only in the last year that one of my dogs had to have major treatment of which I'm convinced wasn't needed and which just added to her suffering.

So if you're not convinced check it out.

[BabyB]

If you have any doubt, then I would get a second opinion.  Like others have said, it can take a while for it to come down. 

I know a local vet told one of our doglets breeders (who knows her stuff, believe me) that she should have one of her pups castrated due to undecended testes and he mentioned cancer to her - she refused and said she'd wait until he was over 12 mths as it can take time to drop, but he had a go at her and from what I remember she gave him an earful back.

It came down after 12 mths and she changed vets !

[little_jack]

I guess I do feel that because they are the vet they know more and will do what is right if that makes sense. I definitely think its worth either getting a second opinion on the neutering or waiting as I had originally planned until at least 12 months. I think the mention of cancer just freaked me out. I'm so glad I can turn to this forum for help and advice 

Kayli