My future FW and I just moved into our now home and she has been hounding me for a puppy. I’m all for it, it’s just that cash is a little low right now with the move in and new paint. I know what I can spend on a dog, it’s juch all the “extras” that go with a new dog. Can someone give me an estimate of how much it cost to neuter a dog? The dog I am looking at has had its first shots and first visit to the vet. Just looking for some feedback!!!
I’d ask Puggzy’s wife 
Right around the price of a “Legend Xtreme”. 
This bot has no manners.
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I’d ask Puggzy’s wife
Whose that?
I’d say $250 and up. You’ll be able to find it cheaper outside the metro area. Keep in mind, there are a lot of other expenses with puppies. You’re bound to end up at the vet numerous times that first year or two.
Take this with a grain of salt Snuggles…I just read an article claiming that raising a medium size dog to 11 years old ran $16,000.
I was a bit shocked, but didn’t take the time to see how close that number was.
More direct to your question…Ralph is about right with his pricing. If you get your pooch from a shelter many times the hound is free but you have to agree to nurturing at a discounted price to have the dog.
I’ve seen some very well mannered pets come from shelters, so don’t rule them out.
On another note….
For male dogs, testicular implants are available. They cost between $94 and $919 per pair, depending on the size and model. Neuticles.com offers a detailed description of the product.
Since your getting close to wedded bliss you might want to see if you can get a quantity discount. 
Miss ya buddy! 
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Take this with a grain of salt Snuggles…I just read an article claiming that raising a medium size dog to 11 years old ran $16,000.
Granted, Floyd is no medium sized dog, but he had two surgeries to the tune of nearly $5K by the time he was two. And that doesn’t include vet visits for things like ear infections, food, tick and heartworm meds, etc. Dogs are plain expensive, even if the initial price is low (which in my case, it was not). Still, we love him and can’t imagine life without him!
Not trying to discourage you, but it is important to make an informed decision. Otherwise, the dog will be the one to suffer.
Show around for prices…even in the metro they range pretty significantly. I have seen it as low as $150 and as high as $350. And I agree that dogs can get expensive.
I think I spent $85 to get Hoss neutered.
To be honest on the farm back in the day we would just band the dogs, cats, bulls etc. It all works the same and dad didn’t have to cut a check.
Ralph is right. In the city you’ll get raped. My vet wanted $300 to do the same job I got done for $85. All I had to do was drive 30 miles each way. Big whoop. I even called my vet and asked them to price match. She wouldn’t budge one cent. I guess there was some dummy right behind me willing to take that slot and pay full price.
Don’t forget about stuff like Heart Worm meds and Frontline. Even that stuff is insanely expensive.
I know one thing after having twins 6 years ago, the cost of getting myself fixed was priceless. 
I am glad to see you are thinking of all the “little” costs. They do add up quickly. I know I dropped $150 last week on tick control and heartworm pills, but it is a necessary evil. It will also be cheaper to get a male because it is castration is less cost than to neuter.
IMHO the neutering is a small item in the grand scheme, but one worth noting. Dog food is about a buck a pound, a kennel is $100, toys, and all the incidentals will kill you.
dog breed plays a major role in vet costs. i have a chocolate lab and a sheltie and other then the yearly checkup and shots no issues. now i know people with scnhit-soos and other breeds and they always have med problems with them!
Definitely research the breed as some are known for medical issues more than others.
For instance Tuffy being a pug has had crystals in his bladder which led to 2 times him needing to be drained. The last time they cut a hole in his weiner behind the (don’t giggle Brian) penis bone and it drained. It healed well, and the doc said we could just leave it and maybe avoid problems in the future. So far, so good and he doesn’t seem to be emasculated with his new V-jayjay, even though I tease him about it.
Those were small expenses compared to the blockage in his GI that needed to be removed by an operation. The treatment for the fractured vertebrae. Not to mention the operation the previous owner needed to pay for that was to correct a herniated diaphragm.
OK, enough of my pity party in your thread.
Like Brian, I would suggest a pound puppy. Not only will you save money initially, but you’ll be doing something good. Got to love karma. And a lot of the puppies there are labs, which are genetically probably one of the least likely to have major medical issues.
The shots and everything do add up. As for heart worm, most places allow you to buy them in whatever quantity, so you can buy one of two at a time instead of one big lump purchase.
These are all things to keep in mind.
I just hope your wife isn’t like my girlfriend and needs all these high end treats and food. I mean, isn’t dog chow good enough? Can’t they just be happy that I love them?
Good points. I guess it depends what you are looking for in a dog.
I came across someone who has a Lab/Springer mix. Since I love both breeds and use both for hunting I was really impressed with the looks of this dog as well as his abilities.
I’ve also had pound dogs (mutts) that were excellent hunters. Don’t be afraid to check the pounds. My bro and some other friends are pound junkies and have rescued 7 dogs that I know of over the years. Some good, some I’d like to hit in the head with a hammer. All love their owners with 110% devotion.
Having breed and sold 5000 puppies since ’55 I’m going to throw a wrench into this discussion.
1. Brian is right about how much you will have to spend to maintain the dog.
2. Get a copy of Jim Busby’s “How To Afford Vet Care Without Mortgaging the Kids”. Great book by an old country vet who tells it like it is.
3. Get ready to be harassed by every “Do Gooder” in the world, nearly all of them uninformed, regarding care of the animal, present company excepted.
4. DO NOT GUT THE ANIMAL. When it comes to population control, get:
a. Female, a tubal, not an ovariohysterectomy,
b. Male, a vasectomy, not a CHOP.
Preserves the hormones necessary for proper growth of the animal.
5. Listen to PHIGS. He may only be a 3DW, but he knows what he is talking about.
Good Luck. The unconditional love you get from the animal could preserve what little sanity any of us still hold onto…
Oh, and if you doubt #4, here’s the evidence:
Early Spay-Neuter Considerations
for the Canine Athlete
One Veterinarian’s Opinion
© 2005 Chris Zink DVM, PhD, DACVP
Those of us with responsibility for the health of canine athletes need to continually read and evaluate new scientific studies to ensure that we are taking the most appropriate care of our performance dogs. This article provides evidence through a number of recent studies to suggest that veterinarians and owners working with canine athletes should revisit the standard protocol in which all dogs that are not intended for breeding are spayed and neutered at or before 6 months of age.
Orthopedic Considerations
A study by Salmeri et al in 1991 found that bitches spayed at 7 weeks grew significantly taller than those spayed at 7 months, who were taller than those not spayed (or presumably spayed after the growth plates had closed).(1) A study of 1444 Golden Retrievers performed in 1998 and 1999 also found bitches and dogs spayed and neutered at less than a year of age were significantly taller than those spayed or neutered at more than a year of age.(2) The sex hormones, by communicating with a number of other growth-related hormones, promote the closure of the growth plates at puberty (3), so the bones of dogs or bitches neutered or spayed before puberty continue to grow. Dogs that have been spayed or neutered well before puberty can frequently be identified by their longer limbs, lighter bone structure, narrow chests and narrow skulls. This abnormal growth frequently results in significant alterations in body proportions and particularly the lengths (and therefore weights) of certain bones relative to others. For example, if the femur has achieved its genetically determined normal length at 8 months when a dog gets spayed or neutered, but the tibia, which normally stops growing at 12 to 14 months of age continues to grow, then an abnormal angle may develop at the stifle. In addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the stifle likely becomes heavier (because it is longer), and may cause increased stresses on the cranial cruciate ligament. In addition, sex hormones are critical for achieving peak bone density.(4) These structural and physiological alterations may be the reason why at least one recent study showed that spayed and neutered dogs had a higher incidence of CCL rupture.(5) Another recent study showed that dogs spayed or neutered before 5 1/2 months had a significantly higher incidence of hip dysplasia than those spayed or neutered after 5 1/2 months of age, although it should be noted that in this study there were no standard criteria for the diagnosis of hip dysplasia.(6) Nonetheless, breeders of purebred dogs should be cognizant of these studies and should consider whether or not pups they bred were spayed or neutered when considering breeding decisions.
Cancer Considerations
A retrospective study of cardiac tumors in dogs showed that there was a 5 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma, one of the three most common cancers in dogs, in spayed bitches than intact bitches and a 2.4 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma in neutered dogs as compared to intact males.(7) A study of 3218 dogs demonstrated that dogs that were neutered before a year of age had a significantly increased chance of developing bone cancer.(8) A separate study showed that neutered dogs had a two-fold higher risk of developing bone cancer.(9) Despite the common belief that neutering dogs helps prevent prostate cancer, at least one study suggests that neutering provides no benefit.(10) There certainly is evidence of a slightly increased risk of mammary cancer in female dogs after one heat cycle, and for increased risk with each subsequent heat. While about 30 % of mammary cancers are malignant, as in humans, when caught and surgically removed early the prognosis is very good.(12) Luckily, canine athletes are handled frequently and
generally receive prompt veterinary care.
Behavioral Considerations
The study that identified a higher incidence of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in spayed or neutered dogs also identified an increased incidence of sexual behaviors in males and females that were neutered early.(5) Further, the study that identified a higher incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs neutered or spayed before 5 1/2 months also showed that early age gonadectomy was associated with an increased incidence of noise phobias and undesirable sexual behaviors.(6) A recent report of the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation reported significantly more behavioral problems in spayed and neutered bitches and dogs. The most commonly observed behavioral problem in spayed females was fearful behavior and the most common problem in males was aggression.(12)
Other Health Considerations
A number of studies have shown that there is an increase in the incidence of female urinary incontinence in dogs spayed early (13), although this finding has not been universal. Certainly there is evidence that ovarian hormones are critical for maintenance of genital tissue structure and contractility.(14, 15) Neutering also has been associated with an increased likelihood of urethral sphincter incontinence in males.(16) This problem is an inconvenience, and not usually life-threatening, but nonetheless one that requires the dog to be medicated for life. A health survey of several thousand Golden Retrievers showed that spayed or neutered dogs were more likely to develop hypothyroidism.(2) This study is consistent with the results of another study in which neutering and spaying was determined to be the most significant gender-associated risk factor for development of hypothyroidism.(17) Infectious diseases were more common in dogs that were spayed or neutered at 24 weeks or less as opposed to those undergoing gonadectomy at more than 24 weeks.(18) Finally, the AKC-CHF report demonstrated a higher incidence of adverse reactions to vaccines in neutered dogs as compared to intact.(12)
I have gathered these studies to show that our practice of routinely spaying or neutering every dog at or before the age of 6 months is not a black-and-white issue. Clearly more studies need to be done to evaluate the effects of prepubertal spaying and neutering, particularly in canine athletes.
Currently, I have significant concerns with spaying or neutering canine athletes before puberty. But of course, there is the pet overpopulation problem. How can we prevent the production of unwanted dogs while still leaving the gonads to produce the hormones that are so important to canine growth and development? One answer would be to perform vasectomies in males and tubal ligation in females, to be followed after maturity by ovariohysterectomy in females to prevent mammary cancer and pyometra. One possible disadvantage is that vasectomy does not prevent some unwanted behaviors associated with males such as marking and humping. On the other hand, females and neutered males frequently participate in these behaviors too. Really, training is the best solution for these issues. Another possible disadvantage is finding a veterinarian who is experienced in performing these procedures. Nonetheless, some do, and if the procedures were in greater demand, more veterinarians would learn them.
I believe it is important that we assess each situation individually. For canine athletes, I currently recommend that dogs and bitches be spayed or neutered after 14 months of age.
References:
1. Salmeri KR, Bloomberg MS, Scruggs SL, Shille V.. Gonadectomy in immature dogs: effects on skeletal, physical, and behavioral development. JAVMA 1991;198:1193-1203
2. http://www.grca.org/healthsurvey.pdf
3. Grumbach MM. Estrogen, bone, growth and sex: a sea change in conventional wisdom. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2000;13 Suppl 6:1439-55.
4. Gilsanz V, Roe TF, Gibbens DT, Schulz EE, Carlson ME, Gonzalez O, Boechat MI. Effect of sex steroids on peak bone density of growing rabbits. Am J Physiol. 1988 Oct;255(4 Pt 1):E416-21.
5. Slauterbeck JR, Pankratz K, Xu KT, Bozeman SC, Hardy DM. Canine ovariohysterectomy and orchiectomy increases the prevalence of ACL injury. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004 Dec;(429):301-5.
6. Spain CV, Scarlett JM, Houpt KA. Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs. JAVMA 2004;224:380-387.
7. Ware WA, Hopper DL. Cardiac tumors in dogs: 1982-1995. J Vet Intern Med 1999 Mar-Apr;13(2):95-103
8. Cooley DM, Beranek BC, Schlittler DL, Glickman NW, Glickman LT, Waters D, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2002 Nov;11(11):1434-40
9. Ru G, Terracini B, Glickman LT. Host related risk factors for canine osteosarcoma. Vet J. 1998 Jul;156(1):31-9.
10. Obradovich J, Walshaw R, Goullaud E. The influence of castration on the development of prostatic carcinoma in the dog. 43 cases (1978-1985). J Vet Intern Med 1987 Oct-Dec;1(4):183-7
11. http://www.akcchf.org/pdfs/whitepapers/Biennial_National_Parent_Club_Canine_Health_Conference.pdf
12. Meuten DJ. Tumors in Domestic Animals. 4th Edn. Iowa State Press, Blackwell Publishing Company, Ames, Iowa, p. 575
13. Stocklin-Gautschi NM, Hassig M, Reichler IM, Hubler M, Arnold S. The relationship of urinary incontinence to early spaying in bitches. J. Reprod. Fertil. Suppl. 57:233-6, 2001
14. Pessina MA, Hoyt RF Jr, Goldstein I, Traish AM. Differential effects of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone on vaginal structural integrity. Endocrinology. 2006 Jan;147(1):61-9.
15. Kim NN, Min K, Pessina MA, Munarriz R, Goldstein I, Traish AM. Effects of ovariectomy and steroid hormones on vaginal smooth muscle contractility. Int J Impot Res. 2004 Feb;16(1):43-50.
16. Aaron A, Eggleton K, Power C, Holt PE. Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in male dogs: a retrospective analysis of 54 cases. Vet Rec. 139:542-6, 1996
17. Panciera DL. Hypothyroidism in dogs: 66 cases (1987-1992). J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc., 204:761-7 1994
18. Howe LM, Slater MR, Boothe HW, Hobson HP, Holcom JL, Spann AC. Long-term outcome of gonadectomy performed at an early age or traditional age in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Jan 15;218(2):217-21.
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3. Get ready to be harassed by every “Do Gooder” in the world, nearly all of them uninformed, regarding care of the animal, present company excepted.
4. DO NOT GUT THE ANIMAL. When it comes to population control, get:
a. Female, a tubal, not an ovariohysterectomy,
b. Male, a vasectomy, not a CHOP.
Preserves the hormones necessary for proper growth of the animal.
In regards to #3, I once had a note left on my windsheild when I took my dogs with me to Target. It was sunset and upper 60s at the time and I was in and out in 10 minutes. I left both windows cracked, including the back one leading to the bed of the truck.
These people called the Edina police department. I would have appreciated much more that the person stuck around so I could give them a piece of my mind in meddling in other people’s business when there is no danger to the animals.
In regards to #4, I had no idea that they would even do that and it was an option. Seems like a better idea. However, without reading what you posted, does leaving the organs in lead to more aggressive behavior and escaping to wander the neighborhood?
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I’d ask Puggzy’s wife
Oh thats funny! I think she did that one for free cause it was fun. THANK GOD my wife doesn’t read this site.
For the OP – Why do you want to have the dog neutered? is there a specific reason that it is a necessity?
as long as you control your animal, you will be fine. and it has been proven that a male needs those hormones until they reach maturity, to completely mature.
Having raised 4 dogs I’ll say if your worried about neutering costs, don’t get one.
Dogs can be spendy or very spendy, rarely are they cheap to maintain, so unless your comfortable putting a down down who has problems because you can’t afford it, I’d wait till your a bit more comfortable with the cost.
imho
al
Allan-
That would be good general advice, similar to Brian’s above.
However, there are situations where you just have to bite the bullet.
About 6 months ago, on a valuable 14.5yo brood [censored] who was central to my 12 generations of selective breeding, a local city vet thought she saw me coming and told me it was going to cost $14,500.00 to save my dearly beloved friend and the she (vet) would only guarantee a 6 month recovery. She (vet) was already spending the money in Cancun, when i said no, but didn’t want to put her (dog) down then and there.
It was BAD BAD BAD bone cancer and I, with my phenomenal experience base, knew it. The hard, hard hard tumor was VERY securely attached to the pelvis and had already grown to the size of a large cantelope. Tumor is projected to max out dropping the dog in 6 months.
Dog had lived a long and about to be very famous life with her genetics represented in nearly every pup that was produced out of my line.
So, I reasoned, palliative at home was the best route.
Well pretty soon the bowel blocked up. Ok, shift the food base, not too difficult. will require spoon feeding, but this is an animal that has given me everything she had for the entire duration of her life. Not a problem…
Stool issue cleared up and we were back in the saddle.
Well, a bit later (remember the tumor is projected to max out in 6 months) the bladder got blocked and a few days later became infected.
Betty (dog) was in bad shape and was telling me that TODAY was the day.
I couldn’t do it.
Next day: “STUART, TODAY is the day”.
I couldn’t do it.
But, I knew the infection was painful for her (having had an infected bladder myself once) so i broke out $0.25 worth of amoxicillin that was dated 1986…
Gave it to her hoping the infection would recede.
Well, the next day Betty was much improved.
And, the next day Betty was much improved.
And, the next day Betty was much improved.
AND, the next day Betty was much improved.
Well, long and short, i upped the dose and watched.
Infection disappeared AND
the tumor virtually disappeared.
Remember the $14,500.00 bone tumor??
Well, it’s been 3 months and it probably won’t go away totally, but, it’s not a health threat to Betty anymore and she loves chasing rabbits, skunks, rats, grouse, and deer around the exercise yard…
‘Course, we could have blindly gone forward with the extensively invasive surgery and struggled with the 50% recovery rate (from the anesthetic impact)
BUT, we spent $0.25 and Betty is doing fine…
See #2 above.
Pug-
PHIGS basic point is that:
1. Yes, there will be hormonally directed behavior if the generating organs are left in the body.
2. BUT, those organs are NECESSARY for proper development.
3. AND, YES, some of the #1 behaviors will embarrass you at PTA meetings (at least the one’s I go to with my 7yo daughter)
4. BUT, responding like those PTAers is LEARNED behavior.
5. AND, learned behavior and be UNLEARNED.
6. So, we teach the PTAers that in europe people teach their dogs manners AND enforce those manners when the dogs inevitably lose their cool, i.e. ‘HANDLE’ your dog.
7. Such embarrassment is a small price to pay for a dog that gets a 20% extension on length of life and a MUCH improved QUALITY of life…
I thiink it’s $85 in Elbow lake too. I had Ruby Spayed a couple weeks ago and it was $165 with pain meds. It was going to be well over $300 in Hastings for the same surgery. I know Cooper was around $250 in Hastings to get Neutered.
I just got done mowing. Don’t forget about the dog poop. IT NEVER STOPS. The more I pick up, the more they make.
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I just got done mowing. Don’t forget about the dog poop. IT NEVER STOPS. The more I pick up, the more they make.
Oh I hate that. I appreciate that Tuffy like to recycle his own mess once in a while, but quantity doesn’t matter when you still have to inspect the whole yard for poo.
i find it quite disturbing that in order to take this animal into your life, you will only do so, by surgically removing something from him.
if you are unable to teach the dog obedience, and follow those standards, do not get a dog, as odds are, it will just end up a shelter anyways.
My current lab i was hoping to breed to get an offspring, but due to a possibly genetic issue, i have deemed it not responsible to breed him. even though he possesses very desirable qualities as a field animal, quality lines, proven AKC status, and tested clear for everything they can test for.
but even though i will not be breeding this animal, i will not neuter him. I do not let him run loose, and i make him follow obedience standards.
Also, i will say this, as far as neutering an animal to “fix behavior issues”. out of all of the dogs i currently hunt with, the one that is the most aggressive, is the smallest of the group, and he is neutered. and the dog that humps the most, is a spayed female.
I believe in fixing an animal if need be for a medical reason, or if it is in your purchase contract from the breeder (yes some do that for whatever reason).
otherwise you are putting that animal through physical stress that is not needed.
I’m assuming i’ll probably be in the minority on this site, just by most of the replies. but its just my $.02…
Quote:
i find it quite disturbing that in order to take this animal into your life, you will only do so, by surgically removing something from him.
if you are unable to teach the dog obedience, and follow those standards, do not get a dog, as odds are, it will just end up a shelter anyways.
Wow. I learned a lot about myself by reading this. And here I was…just trucking along assuming I was a decent pet owner – thanks for straightening me out. 
Wow. Asshattery at it’s best.
T
To know Phigs…
…is to know Phigs.
Quote:
Allan-
That would be good general advice, similar to Brian’s above.However, there are situations where you just have to bite the bullet.
About 6 months ago, on a valuable 14.5yo brood [censored] who was central to my 12 generations of selective breeding, a local city vet thought she saw me coming and told me it was going to cost $14,500.00 to save my dearly beloved friend and the she (vet) would only guarantee a 6 month recovery. She (vet) was already spending the money in Cancun, when i said no, but didn’t want to put her (dog) down then and there.
It was BAD BAD BAD bone cancer and I, with my phenomenal experience base, knew it. The hard, hard hard tumor was VERY securely attached to the pelvis and had already grown to the size of a large cantelope. Tumor is projected to max out dropping the dog in 6 months.
Dog had lived a long and about to be very famous life with her genetics represented in nearly every pup that was produced out of my line.
So, I reasoned, palliative at home was the best route.
Well pretty soon the bowel blocked up. Ok, shift the food base, not too difficult. will require spoon feeding, but this is an animal that has given me everything she had for the entire duration of her life. Not a problem…
Stool issue cleared up and we were back in the saddle.
Well, a bit later (remember the tumor is projected to max out in 6 months) the bladder got blocked and a few days later became infected.
Betty (dog) was in bad shape and was telling me that TODAY was the day.
I couldn’t do it.
Next day: “STUART, TODAY is the day”.
I couldn’t do it.
But, I knew the infection was painful for her (having had an infected bladder myself once) so i broke out $0.25 worth of amoxicillin that was dated 1986…
Gave it to her hoping the infection would recede.
Well, the next day Betty was much improved.
And, the next day Betty was much improved.
And, the next day Betty was much improved.
AND, the next day Betty was much improved.Well, long and short, i upped the dose and watched.
Infection disappeared AND
the tumor virtually disappeared.Remember the $14,500.00 bone tumor??
Well, it’s been 3 months and it probably won’t go away totally, but, it’s not a health threat to Betty anymore and she loves chasing rabbits, skunks, rats, grouse, and deer around the exercise yard…
‘Course, we could have blindly gone forward with the extensively invasive surgery and struggled with the 50% recovery rate (from the anesthetic impact)
BUT, we spent $0.25 and Betty is doing fine…
See #2 above.
Notice my remarks..”Dogs can be spendy or very spendy, rarely are they cheap to maintain”
While you got by cheaper that time, what are you going to do if next time isn’t so easily cured/helped?
We’ve had four dogs and I’d wish the cost of neutering was the most expensive thing we had to deal with.
Just saying it can be expensive to own a dog.
On the other hand, if your into 12 generations of breeding none of this should be new to you.
Either way, good luck with your new dog.
Al
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