Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, I am hoping to adopt a male 3 legged puppy, who had his left front leg chopped off by evil people when he was very tiny, he is only 8wks now.
I am curious to gain opinions as to if I should castrate him at the normal 6mth ish age or wait until he is "mature" to make sure he gets the maximum chance for muscly development / growth etc. he is a pointer so will be a big dog (25 kg ish). I understand all the normal rational for castration but just want to make sure doing it doesn't give him less of a chance to build up strength in his other legs, I guess castration could also cause him to put on weight which would of course be a bad thing.
any help advice gratefully received
Welcome! Thanks for joining and bless you for rescuing Yoga. Is that his name?
Recent research suggests waiting until the age of two to neuter dogs to minimize the risk of bone cancer development. But the issue is debated by many vets. Be sure to ask yours for a professional opinion. Hopefully we'll hear from Dr. Pam with hers here.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He is adorable, and can I just say that EVIL PEOPLE SUCK?!
I have also read that spaying/neutering before ~18 months leads to a MUCH higher incidence of bone cancer - although I seem to recall reading it is even worse in females, especially female rottweilers. So... maybe not as much of an issue for a male pointer, but, as Jerry said, definitely something to ask the vet about.
At the shelter where I volunteer they won't adopt a dog out that hasn't been altered yet, so it's nice that you might have the option to wait, if you choose to.
Best of luck with the adoption and making your decision.
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Some people just SUCK! I hope they are tormented through life with nightmares!
Bless you for adopting. In the US, adoptions at shelters require being fixed before adopting.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
If that's a photo of Yoga....I'm in love...hook, line and sinker.
Our vet is constantly sending us reminders to get Sam spayed (she's 7 months ol) but we did our own research and decided to wait. Here's an article our breeder gave us: http://caninesp.....ter.html Seems reasonable to me that a dog is going to develop more normally if they have all their hormones doing their thing while they're growing. I posted this question and Pam advised 14 months for Sam, don't know if it would be different advice for a male.
What an adorable puppy! I hope the adoption works out for you, let us know, okay?
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Rio was altered when we adopted her -- at ~8 weeks!!! Way too early. I still think that neutering is a good thing, for any pet, but at a reasonable age. That being said, I have no idea what is the ideal age for sterilization surgery. Too early, and the hormones don't develop properly and you end up with a whole raft of medical issues, too late, and some of the behaviors never go away, not to mention the hormone related cancers.... Hopefully someone will have better answers...
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I do think it is best to wait. For a Pointer I would wait until the dog is at least a year but it is even better if you can hold off until 18-24 months. With females you have the whole pregnancy/heat issue so it is difficult to wait that long. If males become aggressive or if the humping drives you crazy then you can neuter him earlier.
Pam
Thanks so much for all your kind words and useful advice (esp Dr Pam). It has confirmed what I was erring towards.
Just need to get the little guy out of Lebanon now!
OMD, he is soooo adorable. What a little love!
Give him some extra tummy rubs from me!
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Oh! Oh! Oh!
Yoda is a doll!!! Was he air snapping you?!! That was just too darling! And then he found a leaf! Precious!
Can you put a "live cam" on him so we can watch him all day! He's so cute!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Puppy cam! We want a puppy cam!
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
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