I feel guilty about neutering my dog?
I have a little nearly 5 year old, 6 lb chihuahua that just got neutered. He’s a family dog and it has taken me years to convince the family that he needed to be neutered. Finally after all these years, I took him to the vet and had the poor thing castrated. I feel that I waited a little too long to neuter him.
1. I feel that he might be affected psychologically, because he won’t have testosterone anymore and he won’t be himself because of that. He was a very manly, loving loyal dog and we loved his chihuahua traits. Will he be lost without his testosterone?
2. I feel guilty because he’s a house dog that could never pregnate any other dog, because he’s always with us. So I feel that other than the very very small chance of him having testicular cancers and such, he didn’t have a good enough reason to get neutered.
3. But then I had him neutered mostly because he was peeing blood so that is a good enough reason for me. The vet told me that him peeing blood had nothing to do with him not being neutered. Ever since yesterday, after his castration, he hasn’t been peeing blood….so I do think him not being neutered had something to do with him peeing blood. So was the vet right or was I right? Does peeing blood have anything to do with not being neutered? He’s also taking antibiotics so in 14 days he will go back to the vet for seuter removal. By then if by any chance he pee’s blood, I will have an x-ray done. It might be UTI or kidney stones or much more serious, like a tumor. Part of me says I should’ve listened to the vet and had an x-ray done before castrating him but if he’s not peeing blood anymore, then I might’ve done the right thing. If it’s UTI then the antibiotics will clear it up.
Other than being a little sleepy, he’s doing really good. He’s still an attention hog and wants to cuddle. He’s really quiet and peaceful. I’m worried he’ll stay this way forever.
So considering all things listed, did I do the right thing?
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5 comments
BulliesRock on February 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm
You did the right thing in having him neutered. The peeing blood had nothing to do with him not being neutered and it’s a coincidence that it has now stopped. I think it likely it was a UTI that is being cleared up with the antibiotics. You’re a good owner to stay on top of it, though. You’re a great owner for keeping him inside the house as a family dog. That is one lucky pup! Since he likely has at least another ten years of life, it’s good that you got him neutered. You never know when someone is going to accidently leave a door or a gate open. With the neuter he will be less likely to wander and won’t mate if he does happen to get out (even though chances are slim).
maramoo76 on February 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm
yes I would say you did.=]
and peeing blood probably wasn’t from not being neutered. but you should probably find out why he was.
kitty on February 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm
go to the group below and ask this. a vet runs the group and they should be able to help go to yahoogroups.com and then to a group called "aske-vet" but without the parenthesis. also another vet group is "petvetcafe" without the parenthesis. good luck.
GG on February 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm
You ABSOLUTELY did the right thing. now he wont be sexually frustrated (especially since he wasnt getting any anyway), he has reduced risk for certain cancers, he’s not peeing blood anymore. physiologically or psychologically he is fine. all he knows is he was at the vet and is no longer. dont guilt trip yourself. i’ve done this plenty of times myself before. you love him and he knows it. he’s fine. its you thats psychologically bothered. he just wants his chew toy and some treats!
Melissa on February 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm
1. Dogs that go to shelters are routinely neutered at various ages. I volunteer at our local shelter and they won’t adopt out if the animal isn’t spayed or neutered, and have seen them neuter dogs that were 12 years old. If it was such a psychological problem, I think people would have noticed by now. Not every neutered dog was done at puppyhood!
2. Just because he’s a house dog doesn’t mean he won’t ever get out. The shelter often has pets that people dote on that went for a mad dash for the door or got out unexpectedly and are waiting to be picked up. My dogs have been pampered indoor pets their entire lives but still occasionally bolt out the front door and have to be chased through the neighborhood. Don’t count on your dog never getting out.
3. Not being neutered won’t cause him to pee blood. Your vet is right. If he’s been eating different (or no) foods, that can change his urine content and might be alleviating whatever caused it in the first place, OR the antibiotics may be fighting an infection that caused it.
He will probably be a little mellow for the first week or so (keep in mind he’s just had surgery!) but he’ll perk up after that. Good luck!