I think this is a difficult and personal decision.

jenni-i agree with Ed. and with you---it's YOUR pup (or, at 2, dog). betcha Connie comes up with answers on the nuetering issue (!); i haven't a clue. but here's moral support..FWIW

but if caleb can do the work, why not keep him, neuter, and keep on going down the training/learning road as far as you can? just a thought...i don't know that i could return a dog i'd been working with for 2 yrs--it's so much more personal than with MWD dogs (i think)..

I know my original post was long, so to clarify, CALEB IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE. GIVING HIM UP IS NOT THE DECISION. My decision is to neuter and return papers for a replacement pup at a credit of 50%, or just keep him and not neuter him. I spent several hours online today, and there are definitely credible studies to support both sides of the neuter issue. Some not-so-nice effects are alleged when neutering large-breed males. Naming degenerative joint disease as an effect of neutering is especially concerning, since the xrays show this is already present in his elbows. Do I want to do something to "double-cause" or exacerbate the situation??? Is there an age in which this is not an issue? In my personal experience, the only other dog I've had neutered (cryptorchid) immediately started losing muscle tone. Not good for a dog with HD/ED. My main concern is Caleb's continued well-being, not whether to get a puppy. Any experience in this area is appreciated.

Ok, to sound extra dumb, just for fun, I have to bring this up, because it was brought up to me as an alternative: what about another means of sterilization, other than castration? I'm told most vets don't mention alternatives because they're so hung up on neutering as a means of behavior modification. Caleb doesn't have any behaviors I want to change-are there really viable alternatives out there that no one talks about? Like a doggy vasectomy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />??? I'm bracing myself for the responses <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I had to stomach a webpage on how neutering is "mutilation" "unethical" and "abusive" to find this out.

There is an drug that can be injected into the testicles to sterilize the animal (apparently this is also unethical because it isn't done in people)

A vasectomy can be performed on a dog.

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.....are there really viable alternatives out there that no one talks about? Like a doggy vasectomy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />??? I'm bracing myself for the responses <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

There certainly are. Canine vasectomy was a somewhat common procedure in the 70s.

I believe that the first (experimental-stage) vasectomy was actually done on a dog. I'm not 100% sure, but that's what I recall reading.

http://www.healthypet.com/faq_view.aspx?ID=33&sid=1
http://www.spca.cambridgeweb.net/neutering.html

Thanks Anne. I'm not some crazy left-wing lunatic concerned about mutilation. I just am really concerned with doing everything in my power to not worsen the situation/condition, and there's too much written about effects on bones and connective tissues for me to just agree blindly to neuter him. I, too, found the site about the injection to sterilize, and wow! What a bunch of wackjobs on that site! Freud would've had a field day with these folks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Why not talk to a vet that practices holistic medicine and see what s/he has to say about possible alternatives?

Hi Jenni:
I would not rush into anything in terms of neutering. As for the hip and elbow D, and degenerative etc., I know many dogs out there with these problems still competing in agility well into their late single digits (and some are NOT small dogs). What these people do are: get the dogs on some supplements to keep the joints lubricated, prevent the joints getting cold, have a soft bed, and exercize them a lot. More muscle is best. If you have good muscle, the muscles can keep things together quite well. As for the degenerative disease- I know that if a dog moves even a slight amount during the radiographs, there can be a anomalous evidence of this, and this is due to artifacts. So, the thing is now, to think of the future and what plans you have for your boy. If it were me, I would be upset, but then get on the track for his training/exercize and make him the fittest dog you know <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Julie

Do some research (start with a google search) and ask your vet about Adequan.

Jenni, Did Dr. Link say to do any surgery? He did my girls surgery at 7 mths old. She had a femoral head excision of the right hip. We got her at 3 mths and this was discovered at 5 mths. She could not sit at all. She recovered 95 percent in a years time, but no, she is not a breeders dog, I rescued her from a shelter, she is long haired and massive for a female, 86 lbs. We don't have to do the other side until she shows signs of problems, she is 5 now. That surgery was so scary, but it worked. Greta is very active, put we never thought she would get so big. She is very tall. I hope I never have to do the other side, but I will. Good luck to you, thoughts are with you. Jaci