Neutering to reduce anxiety?

[sharronhurlbut]

If your not going to show or breed your basenji, then why not give the dog some peace of the hormone surge and fix him?

[Kananga]

@renaultf1:

It would be interesting to know if the damage happens shortly after you leave, seeing he is anxious when you are leaving. Do you have a video camera or can you set up a web cam.

I have an intact boy in my house…there was a dog in heat in the neighborhood...the way I knew was because he was more mouthy than normal (nibbling on my arm, that sort of thing) and was slightly more anxious. He doesn't become more destructive during that time, but I'm sure dogs manifest things differently.

One thing I do is make sure the kids have things that are so thoroughly engrossing (kongs, busy buddies, etc.) when I leave that they don't notice me going out the door. Mine are all crated if I'm out all day...in which case, I hide treats throughout their crate (dehydrated liver, fish, that sort of thing), so they have to hunt for those...as well they get a kong and a busy buddy with their breakfast in it.

Also, I second the Patricia McConnell book "I'll Be Home Soon".

You know, the spot he was chewing on the couch was quite damp when I got home. So it had to have been closer to the time I was to return home.

I picked up a DAP plug-in. I think this would work better than the collar because he would chew any collar off and this is an in-home issue. Perfect sqft coverage for the area he's in while i'm away. We'll see how this works.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Kananga]

@sharronhurlbut:

If your not going to show or breed your basenji, then why not give the dog some peace of the hormone surge and fix him?

Again, there are pros and cons. I've done my fair share of research on this topic. He has never tried to mount anything, doesn't mark territory, etc.

There hasn't been a behavioral/health reason to neuter him. For his own well being there hasn't been a convincing reason to go with neutering. He's a happy and healthy dog. These anxiety issues are minimal compared to other dogs. He eats well, sleeps well, and is one of the best dogs I've ever had.

Personal choice.

[renaultf1]

With the DAP…just remember that you might not notice any result immediately...I think they say it can take up to 30 days. Let us know how it goes. Oh, and sometimes there are coupons on the ComfortZone website and PetEdge has the refills much cheaper than any place I've found.

[sharronhurlbut]

Yes, but an animal is at the mercy of the hormones in his body.
I understand your point, but I do think this will only get worse, as he is going to be wanting to breed and not allowed to. But your right, personal choice.
Good luck.

[Kananga]

@renaultf1:

With the DAP…just remember that you might not notice any result immediately...I think they say it can take up to 30 days. Let us know how it goes. Oh, and sometimes there are coupons on the ComfortZone website and PetEdge has the refills much cheaper than any place I've found.

Yea, I read it takes up to 4 weeks. Considering his anxiety is fairly mild I have patience. Refills online are pretty inexpensive. I'll check for coupons, thanks for the heads up.

[tanza]

While I respect your choice to leave him in-tact… honestly.. if you talk to many US breeders they would advise you to just have him neutered... it really is a pretty easy recovery for them... I have always had mine done when we are finished showing.. and if interested in breeding just had them collected. Basenjis are noted for knowing breeding season, regardless of what is around them... and then add in possible other breeds in season.. and you really have a problem depending on the dog. Some don't really care, others become basket cases if the smell a bitch in season.... IMO.. there is no reason to keep a pet in-tact unless you are showing or wanting to breed.. and if even wanting to breed, there is always collection and frozen.

[lvoss]

Here is my experience with my boy. Nicky was intact until he was 7 years old. Anytime there was a bitch in season in my neighborhood he would have increased anxiety to some extent or another. During rut, he would eat 4-5 times his normal amount of food and still lose weight because he was burning so many calories. He has never marked, he has only humped when my girls are in standing heat, nor he did not show other behaviors you may consider typical problems of an intact dog. What he did do was lick things, chew, pace, and was just plain tense. Since being neutered, his weight is stable, he is more relaxed, if he is frustrated he will still do the licking, chewing, pacing things but usually a nice long walk or a good training session fixes that. He is a happier dog overall without the hormones running the show.

[sharronhurlbut]

These 2 post tell you from 2 professional breeders…you might want to rethink your keeping this boy intact.
Not your your comfort, but more for his.

[Kananga]

@sharronhurlbut:

These 2 post tell you from 2 professional breeders…you might want to rethink your keeping this boy intact.
Not your your comfort, but more for his.

I appreciate the additional advice, although there is plenty of research out there that negates the possible behavioral benefits of having a dog neutered.

Having the dog put under alone is a slight risk. It's not exactly common for a dog to pass away after having local anesthesia, but it happens. There are health risks having a dog neutered as well as leaving them intact.

I'm not going to get into a lengthy debate over this, but I'm not unfamiliar with this topic. I created the thread to pinpoint the issue with recent anxiety. If the DAP is effective then I won't have any issues. He's a perfect dog outside of that one isolated problem. I would consider neutering if it was a 100% certainty that it would rid him of his increased anxiety. Although no one can be certain.

Now if he were mounting everyone in sight and creating serious frequent problems, I'd have him neutered immediately.

[lvoss]

IMO, the obnoxious behavior that you are using as a marker that neutering is neccessary is something that effects the human more than the dogs whereas the anxiety issues are something that seriously impact the dog but don't necessarily always reach a level where they significantly impact the human. No one can give you a garuntee that neutering will make a difference even if he were humping everything in your house there is no garuntee that neutering will change that behavior. My male still humps when my girls are in standing heat. If you are waiting for 100% assurance to make a decision you will never get it.

My experience with DAP is that when Nicky's anxiety levels were low it helped, during breeding season it took the edge off but he was still losing weight and demonstrating anxiety behaviors.

[sharronhurlbut]

Its always a personal decision. IMO, it will make your dog a better pet.

[tanza]

@Kananga:

I appreciate the additional advice, although there is plenty of research out there that negates the possible behavioral benefits of having a dog neutered.

Having the dog put under alone is a slight risk. It's not exactly common for a dog to pass away after having local anesthesia, but it happens. There are health risks having a dog neutered as well as leaving them intact.

I'm not going to get into a lengthy debate over this, but I'm not unfamiliar with this topic. I created the thread to pinpoint the issue with recent anxiety. If the DAP is effective then I won't have any issues. He's a perfect dog outside of that one isolated problem. I would consider neutering if it was a 100% certainty that it would rid him of his increased anxiety. Although no one can be certain.

Now if he were mounting everyone in sight and creating serious frequent problems, I'd have him neutered immediately.

As already said, nothing will be with 100% certainty that neutering him will make a total difference… you are the only one that can make that decision... however that said, why would you want to even expose him to the possibles?, if you have no intention of ever breeding him?...and bring into the conversation about cancer that is a concern in male dogs?.. I well understand the difference with the US and our decisions to neuter compared to the thoughts from overseas... however there is nothing in life that can be considered 100%.

[nomrbddgs]

I'll tell you my experience with NOT neutering. (Yes it is a personal choice). I had this male years ago. I wanted to breed him so kept him intact, by age 3 he had prostatitus 3 times, almost losing him totally twice, trips to the ER, to the tune of over $1200 each time. (don't forget, this was about 20-25 years ago, can you imagine the cost now? Yikes) Months of recuperation in between, only to fall victim again. I did end up having to neuter him anyway, and could not collect him because he had holes in his prostate gland. I always neuter now, I would rather have a different set of issues that prostatitus again.

[Janneke]

Well.. you all know how I feel about neutering.. And I believe Kananga already read enough about the subject to make a decision for herself..

So only on-topic here.. I don't really think the anxiety is from bitches in heat. If he's really only showing this behaviour when you're leaving, I would think he doesn't like to be left alone.. so probably a minor case of sep. anxiety.. I would definitely try to address this, more then neutering him.

[Quercus]

@Janneke:

Well.. you all know how I feel about neutering.. And I believe Kananga already read enough about the subject to make a decision for herself..

So only on-topic here.. I don't really think the anxiety is from bitches in heat. If he's really only showing this behaviour when you're leaving, I would think he doesn't like to be left alone.. so probably a minor case of sep. anxiety.. I would definitely try to address this, more then neutering him.

I agree. As much as I am in favor of neutering non-breeding animals, I don't think this issue has to do with hormones. I think it is low grade anxiety. I think the suggestions of DAP and Patricia McConnell's book will get you on the right track. Also, keep in mind that something frightening or startling may have occurred when you weren't at home, and it will take some time for him to get past whatever it was.

[Kananga]

@Janneke:

Well.. you all know how I feel about neutering.. And I believe Kananga already read enough about the subject to make a decision for himself..

So only on-topic here.. I don't really think the anxiety is from bitches in heat. If he's really only showing this behaviour when you're leaving, I would think he doesn't like to be left alone.. so probably a minor case of sep. anxiety.. I would definitely try to address this, more then neutering him.

Right. That's why I feel the DAP is worth a shot before I'd considering neutering. I'm glad someone recommended that first. Having him neutered is the last resort. Of course i'm biased because I too am a male, but it's hard to know if he will truly be happier once neutered. While I'm at home he's relaxed and happy. I never hear him whine or really see him pace unless he hears someone outside of my door, which is to be expected with most active dogs.

Kananga for the most part has been the perfect dog. The only time I think he is truly miserable is when his allergies are bothering him. I do what I can to help decrease the effects but it's something he mostly has to live with. I know it's not food related, I would think medication is the only treatment since it's probably something seasonal.

I suppose the true breeding season (Aug-Oct) will be the ultimate test.

[Quercus]

@Kananga:

Right. That's why I feel the DAP is worth a shot before I'd considering neutering. I'm glad someone recommended that first. Having him neutered is the last resort. Of course i'm biased because I too am a male, but it's hard to know if he will truly be happier once neutered. While I'm at home he's relaxed and happy. I never hear him whine or really see him pace unless he hears someone outside of my door, which is to be expected with most active dogs.

Kananga for the most part has been the perfect dog. The only time I think he is truly miserable is when his allergies are bothering him. I do what I can to help decrease the effects but it's something he mostly has to live with. I know it's not food related, I would think medication is the only treatment since it's probably something seasonal.

I suppose the true breeding season (Aug-Oct) will be the ultimate test.

Just food for thought…it is widely believed that dogs don't regard their own sexuality the way humans do. Most likely, Kananga wouldn't be happier, or less happy if he were neutered...he would have no idea.

I would like to know (honestly, I don't know) what health risks (aside from anesthesia) there are to neutering a dog. We can start a new thread, if you wish...but I am really curious.

[Kananga]

@Quercus:

Just food for thought…it is widely believed that dogs don't regard their own sexuality the way humans do. Most likely, Kananga wouldn't be happier, or less happy if he were neutered...he would have no idea.

I would like to know (honestly, I don't know) what health risks (aside from anesthesia) there are to neutering a dog. We can start a new thread, if you wish...but I am really curious.

In regards to him being unchanged with happiness, that's my point. If it makes no difference with him then why do some people say he will be happier?

With what i've read, these were the most common results in studies (to name a few):

-3x risk of hypothyroidism (my vet has also confirmed this with me)
-Increases the risk of progressive geriatric cognitive impairment
-3x risk of obesity
-Increases the risk of prostate cancer (albeit there's an obvious reduction in testicular cancer)
-Increases the risk of bone cancer
-General physical complications with the surgery (small percentage, but still a risk)

[renaultf1]

@Kananga:

In regards to him being unchanged with happiness, that's my point. If it makes no difference with him then why do some people say he will be happier?

I think they are saying he'd be happier because he won't be a slave to his hormones…he'd be more balanced that way and less anxious when there is a dog in season.