Well, why the heck not? Though vasectomies have long been out of favor in the veterinary community (not that they were ever popular), there’s no reason why I wouldn’t consent to snip a bit of tiny tubing through a small incision over taking out the testicles—as long as the owner understands that testosterone and all its effects will still be on hand to work their mysterious charms.
Sure, neutering will typically rid you of the roaming, the pee-peeing over any available surface, freaky behavior around bitches in heat, and the triple terror of testicular tumors, perineal hernias and prostatic enlargement. Yet sometimes owners want just the reproductive issue addressed, thank you very much.
But the jury has spoken—for now, anyway. The veterinary establishment is loath to relinquish its recommendation that full castration (neutering) is the end all and be all when it comes to canine sterilization.
Indeed, vasectomies are so rare that I recall being laughed at by my professor in my Principles of Surgery lecture when I asked whether anyone was performing this technique in lieu of castration. That was fourteen years ago when I was still stupid enough to slink back into my seat and make myself invisible after such an oratory “fiasco.”
Now that I’ve wisely shed such inhibitions, I can proudly proclaim: Vasectomies are surgical procedures, too! They have a place in vet medicine along with the unrecommended (but still sometimes necessary) anal gland-ectomy and feline thyroidectomy. Yes, sometimes they are indicated.
Given the new wave of discussions on the potentially dubious medical benefits of castration, it seems reasonable to look to vasectomies as a sound solution for those in doubt as to whether a normal neuter is best for their dog.
Today’s patient was a perfect example: A young, fit Frisbee dog, this Border mix was all muscle. His owner wanted to ensure his “safety” around her friends’ breeding bitches for a couple more years of competition on full testosterone overdrive. She’d read about vasectomies online and immediately knew “Rolf” needed one.
It just made sense. “No problem—I’ll do it.” (Though I’ve never had cause to do one before.)Afterwards, I had to wonder: Why haven’t I ever been asked about this before now?
Though it’s an easy surgery (far less painful than a routine castration, with fewer complications, to boot), it’s clear that we vets have serious power over what procedures become accepted as the norm. Yet as science advances, as it inexorably does, what was laughed at by a gray-haired professor over a decade ago may just be the most responsible thing I might advocate ten years from now.
Three cheers for choice in sterility!
Add Comment53 Comments
Good for you! I've asked about it with every dog I've had since 1985 (all males, by chance) and have had a less than warm response from my vets (hey, it's been over 20 years, I've had three).
Next time, given what I've learned about some of the problems with sterilization in males and females, I'll push for a vasectomy instead. Wonder if the castration police will accept it as 'neutering'? Guess we'll find out.
I suppose tubal ligation is also an option?
Caveat February 25th, 2008 08:54:00 PM
This presents an interestin' problem for the show dog community. Rules say dogs cannot be neutered--i.e. all the equipment must be present and accounted for. 'Course the whole point of havin' a champion dog is breedin' potential, but we've sold male pups to some families who wanted to show, but didn't want to breed. Now how are the judges gonna' tell?
Harrison February 25th, 2008 09:03:00 PM
Interesting! It does make dog shows a little tricky, but this is something I have considered for my boy (6mo. old Sheltie) if the breeder decides she does not want to keep him intact. (I have full ownership rights but he was sold to me on an AKC limited registration.) Just like the dog in your post, I *want* that testosterone over the next few years -- my pup is a serious agility prospect.
Where would you suggest one look for a canine surgeon that has experience in this?
Catsie February 25th, 2008 10:13:00 PM
Feh. Plenty of people who enjoy dog shows but don't want to breed show spayed bitches. After the hair grows back, how you gonna tell? And no inconvenient heat cycles to keep her home instead of out crushing the competition. Vasectomy is unlikely to catch on with the dog show crowd in the same way, since a male's fertility (as opposed to his testosterone load) is rarely an inconvenience to his owners in the same way.
If the Lords of Dog Shows really cared about helping to select breeding stock, there would be classes for sterilized animals -- because when a really good breeder is making breeding decisions, he or she wants to know about the quality and characteristics of an animal's siblings, uncles, aunts, and previous progeny. Of course, if it was about selecting breeding stock, no dog could be entered until it had all the breed-appropriate health clearances, passed a rigorous temperament test, and in working/hunting breeds, passed some sort of working or field test. But I digress.
H Houlahan February 25th, 2008 11:44:00 PM
for H. Houlahan,
ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America) has a full Altered Conformation program for the dogs in its registry (which means it's limited to ASCA-registered Australian Shepherds). Dogs receive an A-Ch for Altered Champion when the requirements are met. Altered and intact animals never meet directly in conformation -- parallel programs. Animals can start in the intact program and take any points earned with them if they are subsequently altered. Dogs that finished their Ch while intact can be entered in Altered Best of Breed competition if subsequently altered.
kabbage February 26th, 2008 02:02:00 AM
Hmmm....finding a surgeon. I suspect any boarded surgeon would be happy to take it on even if your regular vet won't (though I've no idea why--as I said, it's easy). Yet my quick-and-dirty survey reports that many boarded surgeons have never had cause to do this procedure before, either (but they want to).
Dr. Patty Khuly February 26th, 2008 08:39:00 AM
Dr. Khuly, Why isn't it an option offered more often? I can think of lots of reasons why it might be chosen over castration. One that comes to mind immediately, are the many "macho men" pet-owners that view & take castration "personally". Silly, yes, but nonetheless exists!
My own personal view is a bit different, I become mildly annoyed, with the assumption that keeping my males intact, automatically mean I am promoting a stud/show dog. Hardly the case, since the 3 intact males I've owned, have NEVER been bred or offered at stud. And to mention, that all 3 have been in a household of intact bitches, at one time or another, gives folly to the "accidental breeding" theory, if one is responsible.
I have no concerns, at least, as of yet, of my lone intact 4 yr. old male "marking all over the house", displaying unwanted behavior, roaming or agression, OR impregnating a wandering, unknown canine. For my dogs "protection", they do not roam free!
An exception to the published study, my longest-lived male (over 2 yrs. beyond average life span) and fully intact, humanely euthanized due to advanced osteosarcoma.
Barbara A. Albright February 26th, 2008 03:47:00 PM
Here's another option:
http://www.neuticles.com/
Tracy D February 27th, 2008 12:17:00 AM
I LOVE neuticles! Hooray for them!
Dr. Patty Khuly February 27th, 2008 10:51:00 AM
I completely agree-choice is everything with this issue, if it means less unwanted pups then that's fine by me, and the decreased level of pain/recovery time is good too.
Sian February 28th, 2008 03:37:00 PM
It's great to see someone discussing this.
Finally, the world may be open to this humane alternative for controlling pet overpopulation...
T. Durden May 1st, 2008 04:39:00 AM
I have been calling every vet in town trying to find someone that is willing to do this procedure on our male dog before our female dog goes into heat. If anyone, anywhere, knows of any vet that is willing to do the procedure please send me their information.
cowboyrancher@gmail.com
elise August 6th, 2008 03:46:00 PM
I have been searching everywhere for a vet to do a vesectomy. I'd be willing to travel a few hundred miles, if I have to. Are there any vets near Goshen, New York, who do vesectomies on dogs? If anyone knows, please let me know at this post.
Sabina September 13th, 2008 02:53:00 PM
I'm looking for a vet to do a vasectomy and tubal ligation in cats, if anyone knows of one; email me
uade@comcast.net
DaSilva January 3rd, 2009 12:02:53 PM
I see the two posters who championed 'neuticles' are female.
How many guys reading this would want your nuts chopped off and
replaced with neuticles? Why do it to your best friend, then?
dude January 20th, 2009 07:02:50 PM
Because anthropomorphism is a dirty word?
Bravewolf February 3rd, 2009 02:23:36 AM
Neuticles are silly because they are purely cosmetic testicles - so why bother?
Vasectomy on the other hand is great - because it satisfies (to a minor extent) the neuter-nazis yet leaves the dog with the fantastic secondary sexual characteristics associated with testosterone
Personally, I've never had any problems with intact male dogs and think that folks that can't handle a male or female dog would be better off with a stuffed dog. No unwanted puppies, no aggression, no roaming, no innapropriately leg lifting etc...etc...
Richie C February 15th, 2009 05:57:07 PM
I feel that neutering and spaying pets is one of the most savage, barbaric, and perverted practices that our society engages in. I'm not even trying to address the established idea that, 'because we care about dogs and cats, we're not going to let excess populations of them take their chances on the streets'
given that, it's important to sterilize your pet, the question occured to me one time, indeed, why is it that when a human wants to sterilize themselves, i rarely here of a man getting castrated.
Can you picture your doctor telling you about the risks of testicular cancer, etc.. when you inquire about a vasectomy, and instead suggesting the amputation of your testacles???
As far as i know, the only times humans, males anyway, get their testacles amputates is in the event that a tumor is discovered. And once that happens, doctors will suggest testoserone supplements in order to compensate for the drastic alteration of the person's personality and behaviour.
Look, i understand that compromises have to be made when owning pets. You can't always provide equal and fair treatment as you would to yourself or your family members. We as humans value our instinct to continue our species, and go far out of our way to provide and maintain good circumstances for anybody who wants to start a family. We enjoy having pets, more so than material possessions, because they are alive, and unique. Must we use our technological powers to alter the minds and souls of our special friends of a different species?
When it occured to me one day that
Greg G March 3rd, 2009 04:17:56 PM
I ve had Aat least 4 males with vasectomies. They will protect the females from unwanted suitors although that situation has never occured for myself. You can have both flavors, M/F, without the risk of an 'accident". My vet already knew that there was no hope of me doing a S/N on any my dogs so she was willing to do the vas. . Ive encountered other vets who said they d do it too. You have to presist ,let them know you already know the facts about the differences and your mind is not going to be changed so if they want to do a surgery for you thats how it si. If you have a long term relationship with your vet they may cave in since they dont want to loose long term customers. Also had a couple hysterctomies , removal of the uterus only, done too but much harder to find a vet for that one. The heats were less intense and less discahrge and they didnt put on weight. I think there would be more sterile animals if these options were more widely offered. of the many dogs I ve owned over the years all but one have lived to or beyond life expectancy intact or mostly so
stan e March 3rd, 2009 10:16:23 PM
I've never had any problems with intact male dogs and think that folks that can't handle a male or female dog would be better off with a stuffed dog.
tower defense May 8th, 2009 02:33:14 AM
Everybody, I'm looking for a vet who will do a vacetomy on my three-year-old rottie mix. He is around a lot of dogs, and I fear he will get some female dog pregnant. We already have too many dogs in the Central Texas area. My dog Chancey is a little on the agressive side, and that's OK. I have no desire to remove his testicles just to calm him down. If you are a vet who will do this procedure, or if you know of a vet doing vacetomies, please email me off list at xlartemis@gmail.com. We are located in Austin. Thanks, Helen Siders and Chancey
Helen May 11th, 2009 05:32:14 PM
Everybody, I'm looking for a vet who will do a vacetomy on my three-year-old rottie mix. He is around a lot of dogs, and I fear he will get some female dog pregnant. We already have too many dogs in the Central Texas area. My dog Chancey is a little on the agressive side, and that's OK. I have no desire to remove his testicles just to calm him down. If you are a vet who will do this procedure, or if you know of a vet doing vacetomies, please email me off list at xlartemis@gmail.com. We are located in Austin. Thanks, Helen Siders and Chancey
Helen May 11th, 2009 05:34:32 PM
Everybody, I'm looking for a vet who will do a vacetomy on my three-year-old rottie mix. He is around a lot of dogs, and I fear he will get some female dog pregnant. We already have too many dogs in the Central Texas area. My dog Chancey is a little on the agressive side, and that's OK. I have no desire to remove his testicles just to calm him down. If you are a vet who will do this procedure, or if you know of a vet doing vacetomies, please email me off list at xlartemis@gmail.com. We are located in Austin. Thanks, Helen Siders and Chancey
Helen May 11th, 2009 05:35:17 PM
Just call the vets in the book. You should be able to find one in a town that large. Or maybe a country vet would be more accepting off something thats not the "norm". I have a streile unneutered shepard now.... dont have to worry about any accidents and he s doing great health wise.
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Dogs receive an A-Ch for Altered Champion when the requirements are met. Altered and intact animals never meet directly in conformation -- parallel programs. Animals can start in the intact program and take any points earned with them if they are subsequently altered. Dogs that finished their Ch while intact can be entered in Altered Best of Breed competition if subsequently altered. club penguin
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