Neutering an Older Dog?

**projectsarah** · 09-10-2011 03:51 PM

Hello everyone, I have a Lhasa Apso (I think), I found hin on the street in May 2008. The vet told me he maybe was 5 or 6 yrs old and I never got him neutered. So he is possibly 9 yrs old, but he doesn't act like he is that old. He is in great health but, I am very afraid to neuter him because I have heard as they get older it gets harder for them to come out of the anesthesia. But he marks in the house and I hope that will help and he runs off quite a bit. He also has an umbilical hernia which I would like to get fixed. I just need a little advice if you think it will benefit him. Thanks everyone!

**spotted nikes** · 09-10-2011 09:45 PM

I've had older dogs neutered with no problem. Have your vet do a geriatric blood workup to make sure he doesn't have any problems that might make anesthesia risky. I'd also see if his teeth need to be done when he is under, to avoid having to sedate him again in the near future. Talk to your vet about fixing the hernia. Make sure he doesn't have a UTI, causing him to pee often.
Be aware that neutering "might" help with the marking, but sometimes it's a habit or they are returning to where they can still smell their previous accidents.
Neutering will reduce the risk of testicular cancer.

**hanksimon** · 09-12-2011 10:13 PM

At 9 yo, no one can guarantee that 3 - 4 years of habits will stop by neutering. In fact, some dogs that are neutered at 6 mos, learn to mark and wander when they mature. There are many good reasons to neuter, and as Nikes said, the health risks should be minimal, but it may not solve the behavioral issues.

**brandiw** · 09-14-2011 08:39 AM

My dog Noah is around 9 years old and I had him neutered recently, and he did fine. However, he still marks in the house occassionally; I think it is just a habit at this point. I put a belly band on him and just don't worry about it. Honestly, if I wasn't required to have him fixed, I probably wouldn't have at his age.

**etim** · 09-14-2011 08:53 AM

i nuetered a dog at 1 yo and never stopped him from marking , got so bad we had to rehome him to some that rehab him . as of now he doesnt mark anymore , but it was a dominance issue in our home as we had 3 other dogs , 2 males and 1 female , our 2 other males have never peed indoors and they are 8 , got them neutered at 6 mo old

**Bordermom** · 09-14-2011 09:07 AM

Being a little dog, I don't think the risks are as high as if it was a larger breed - don't quote me on that of course! It wouldn't hurt to have his teeth cleaned and any lumps removed at the same time.

The behaviors will take some retraining on your part to get him out of the habit of marking things. Invest in carpet cleaning, make sure there's no scent and go back to housebreaking 101 - he doesn't get free time to go mark anything, only out when you're watching him and in a crate or xpen when you can't watch him. Belly bands are another option but I've heard good and bad, for some dogs they're quite happy to mark themselves and soak a pad! The recall as well would be a retraining issue, many altered dogs take off and don't listen, not just related to the extra brains telling the boys bad things!

Lana

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