neutering senior dogs

[assortedagility]

Well, one person had advised me against it. They had said that after neutering their dog at an older age(7 or 8) the dog developed incontinence problems and was never again the same. But I was sick and tired of having an intact male, I am indeed very proud that all my animals are spayed and neutered, and I didn't want to risk the health concerns of keeping my dog intact.

Well, lo and behold, my dog's urinary behavior has started to change. He was neutered April 16th, so it has been quite some time. But he had a lot of problems with swelling and bruising. It took weeks longer for him to heal than it should have. I'm not sure if these incontinence problems should pop up right after the neutering, or if they normally take awhile for things to start changing.

Either way, I'll be camping with him for a seminar and agility trial for 5 days starting tonight. I'm going to keep a very close eye on him. It could very well be that he's simply been drinking more and more water because of the heat and increasing exercise I've been giving him. That would explain the lesser concentration(more clear), but not the urinating without seemingly meaning to. He hasn't gone in the house, in his sleep or anything like that, it's simply that when we're out in the yard training, he'll have to go very suddenly and just start peeing before he can even squat down all the way like he normally does. Fingers crossed, but a visit to the vet may be needed shortly after we get back from our trip. *sigh*

Does anyone else ever had experience with neutering dogs at an older/later age?

[weezyNollie]

I have never heard of this problem before. Was he a big marker prior to the neuter? I'm just wondering because Ralphie was neutered after I found him, and he is probably about 1 or so. But he was an obsessive marker, and I sometimes wondered if he had a UTI and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Maybe the dog has a bad UTI that went unnoticed, and now that the marking has gone down you see the incontinence?

My other questions.. what exactly do you mean by incontinence? Does he ever have accidents in the house? Is it just the sudden urgency to go? Dribbling?

As for the healing -- Ralphie took weeks to heal from his neuter. And he wore a bite-not collar or an e-collar for over 2 weeks. He ended up having to be on anti-inflammatories for 14 days, and then antibiotics for 10 days. He had some sort of suture reaction. And the bruising around his scrotal sac was horrid. It's because that's where all the blood collects after the cord has been ligated.

[bdrcol22]

I have never neutered an older male, but I had Lizzy spayed at 6, and I have had no trouble yet. Despite hearing many of the same problems. She is also a marker though, and she will still mark often when we walk. Had her tested for a UTI, and no trouble there. Have you looked into his prostate? That can sometimes be the cause of urine trouble in male dogs.

[assortedagility]

No, he never ever marked in the house. And he wasn't too horrible about marking outside everywhere either. I just simply prefer neutered dogs - can't stand toting around intact males with me to trials and shows. Nor will I ever own an intact female ever again either.

Incontinence meaning not being able to control their bladder. Dribbling, peeing in their sleep, etc. However, he does not have accidents - at least I think not. I did find a pretty large puddle on the back porch the other day, however I found one of the other dogs at fault for that one(though I didn't see it, so it could have been him). He hasn't left dribbles where he sleeps at all or anything. It's nothing severe, just a bit and concerned that his urinary behavior has been changing. Instead of searching and sniffing for a place, he'll just start peeing before even squatting. For all I know it is simply because he's been drinking more.. maybe Im just TOO observant and cautious with my dogs.

I've NEVER had a problem with a female being spayed, even at an older age. For the spaying being the supposedly more complex operation, it has ALWAYS been the males that gave me all the problems. Pulling out stitches, swelling, infection, bruising. All my females recovered faster from their spay than my males did from their neuters!

[agilitydog]

If you don't like dealing with intact dogs, can I ask why he remained intact until this age and what suddenly happened that made you decide to have him neutered.

[fairlight]

Originally Posted by agilitydog

If you don't like dealing with intact dogs, can I ask why he remained intact until this age and what suddenly happened that made you decide to have him neutered.

That was my feeling and question also AD.

[assortedagility]

He came to live with when he was about 6 years old. When I received him, I had taken time to show him in conformation to earn his UKC Champion - which I'm sure both of you know, that the dog must remain intact to do so. He had earned his CH and was just going for GR CH points, but gave up on that and then decided to focus on obedience and agility. I was tight on money all winter, so his neuter had to wait until this past spring. Not only did I choose to show him in conformation, I had also signed a contract with his breeder stating that I was not able to neuter him without her permission. I got the permission to do so this past winter. And lastly, now that there is no need for his "goods", I simply prefer spayed and neutered dogs when trialing and competing.

[lakotasong]

I neutered a 12 year old rescued sled dog and he did just fine.

[assortedagility]

Just wanted to update everyone. He's doing just fine. No UTI, no incontinence. No need for a vet visit.

However, with all the complications and worries, I will try my best to ALWAYS have all future dogs spayed and neutered much much earlier.