Best Age to Neuter Blue Roan Males

Time and again veterinarians have been debating a lot about the best age to neuter Blue Roan males. While most of us used to think that neutering the puppies was best when they were 6 months old, studies now show there could be intense side effects to neutering them so early.

Therefore, if you have a blue roan male and want to have it neutered, here is everything you need to know about the process. But before jumping on to the topic directly, here are some facts about neutering male dogs.

Table of Contents

1 What is Neutering?
2 So, When is the best time to Neuter Blue Roan Males?
3 Is it necessary to Neuter my Blue Roan Male?
- 3.1 Advantages of Neutering:
- 3.2 Disadvantages of Neutering:
4 FAQs

What is Neutering?

A scientific term for castration, neutering in dogs is a medical procedure involving surgical removal of their testicles. Doing so makes the male dog sterile and hence unable to produce puppies if they accidentally mate with a canid.

Generally this procedure is carried out after the male dog has surpassed a certain age. Earlier vets used to neuter males once they reached 6 months of their age, however there were other factors that played a major factor in determining the right time for neutering.

These includes:

Existing health
Breed of the pup
Age

Pedigree
Genetics, etc

All these factors combined helped veterinarians detect the probable advantages and disadvantages of having the pup go through the surgery, and therefore be better prepared.

So, When is the best time to Neuter Blue Roan Males?

According to new research, the best time to neuter blue roan males is after the male pup has attained full skeletal maturity. This contradicts the previous belief of opting for neutering once the male pup was of 6 months of age.

The former belief stems from the idea that puppies usually are done with their puppy shots by this time. Hence they are healthier and have a well functioning immune system making them the perfect candidate for the procedure.

But after further research it was concluded that neutering male dogs too soon, especially those of medium, large and giant breeds can leave devastating repercussions on the canine. Some of these include: hip and elbow dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tears, mast cell tumor, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, etc. Like other hormones, testosterone helps a puppy to mature into their right skeletal form and hence cutting this supply in-mid is bound to cause irreversible damages.

Thanks to this finding, vets now recommend neutering male blue roans once they have surpassed 18 months of age. However, depending upon certain factors this could vary from pup to pup. Thus, getting them checked by a professional is a must before progressing to other steps.

Is it necessary to Neuter my Blue Roan Male?

Opting to neuter your male pup or not is completely a personal choice as people have their own moral ethics. But there are a few advantages and disadvantages to this procedure that every pet parent should know.

Advantages of Neutering:

Eradicates risk of testicular or prostate cancer
Lower risk of pancreatic cancer
Reduces the risk of hormone-related health conditions

Lessens certain type of aggressions and undesirable marking behaviors
The male dog can no longer fertilize female dogs

In certain cases, a neutered blue roan male will also be more attentive to its parents, as he/she will be less likely to get distracted with dogs of opposite sexes.

Disadvantages of Neutering:

Neutering before the right time hampers the canine’s normal skeletal growth
Improper castration and after-care risks infection and pus formation
Some studies also suggest that neutering in male dogs exposes them to increased chances of obesity

FAQs

Are there any alternatives to neutering of male dogs?

Currently, there are no alternatives to neutering of male dogs. Any other so-called effective natural remedy will prove fatal to the canine and therefore must be avoided at any cost. You can also consult with your veterinarian if you are worried about other factors related to neutering.

Is neutering done under anaesthesia?

Much like spaying of female dogs, neutering of male dogs is a major surgery and therefore requires the dog to be under general anaesthesia. The amount of anaesthetics to be used is determined by the dog’s weight, breed, life stage and current health conditions and is usually a safe procedure.

Although in certain cases certain complications may pop up. This is why vets often conduct a pre-anaesthetic exam to detect any complications that may arise due to the sedatives.

What are the after-care steps after neutering my male dog?

Following the removal of your dog’s testicles, your vet will give you a thorough follow-up of things to do and to avoid. This usually includes:

Putting an Elizabethan collar or a recovery suit is a must to prevent the pooch from licking the incision

All medicines and antibiotics should be properly followed as directed by the veterinarian
The canine will need optimal rest post surgery
Restriction on running, long walks, swimming, bathing, climbing stairs is also required

Ensuring that your pet is in a calm, quiet and a safe environment is highly necessary as stress can trigger pain and anxiety
For the first 12 hours, small quantities of food and water should be offered

Once the canine has recovered a little and is okay to do normal activities, a vet check up will be needed. At the vet’s clinic, the professional will do some tests to ensure that your male dog is recovering efficiently.

Can neutering help with my dog’s aggression?

Even though neutering has time and again proven to be quite effective in helping aggressive male dogs quiet down, the method is only suitable for certain types of aggression.

Usually volatile behavior related to territory marking, and mating in male dogs is due to an unusual surge of testosterone. Thankfully, this is curable through neutering. Once the testicles are removed aggressive dogs generally calm down a lot, although you may still need to have the pup registered into a behavioral modification training program if they continue to be somewhat unpredictable and snappy.