Pet upkeep

I have a 6 month old border collie, he's had all his shots and worming up to date, been chipped, is not neutered (don't think we want to, at least yet) and is in very good health.  My question is that it is recomended that  every year your pet gets shots and check ups; all this can cost, but how nessisary is it? 

Growing up we always got the inital shots and health care, spay/neuter, tags etc, and that's it unless the pet had some real medical problem.  My pets were always fine, and never had any problems. I think the only thing my mom did regularly was make sure they had the flea/tick repellant that goes between the shoulder blades.

What do you do/what do you think?

Thanks.

I'd always recommend keeping shots up to date, especially if the dog is outside a lot or coming into contact with a lot of other dogs (i'd guess a Border Collie would) especially with increased reports of Parvo.  I'd also recommend neutering for health and behaviour reasons (especially with such an active and boisterous breed) and also because there are enough unwanted puppies in the world.

Shots and regular vet care are a small price to pay for peace of mind and a good thing to do for dog health in general.

I agree, but is it really needed?  Will it affect life span positively?

He isn't out and about that much with other dogs, but does go to the park and on walks in the countryside.

We are leaning towards not neutering (at least now) because he just started cocking the leg and occasionally doing some air humping (that sounds silly!) but after reading a lot we can neuter at any time and don't want to too early because of bone/growth issues.

He has the best temperment and of course can get excited and hyper, but calms down as soon as you want him too. We wouldn't do it for the behaviour reasons as he has zero aggression towards people and other animals.  He's a good lad, and we wouldn't want to do it too soon or affect his personality.  We do not want puppies, and I agree with neutering if there is no chance you want to breed your dog (The thought of all the little pups and kittens with out homes or adequate care sadens me)but he's always under our watch and hopefully wouldn't let him get in a situation like that.

Plus the DH has male symphathies lol.

Please, please, please get your dog's vaccinations each year.  It is a small price to pay for the prevention of fatal diseases.  A long time ago, when I was a very poor student, I had a beautiful puppy.  I got him vaccinated - but I couldn't afford the whole course of the injections, and I lost the most wonderful pup in the world to distemper.  It was heartbreaking, and even all these years later, I have never forgotten it.  Any money you will save is just not worth it.  Also, if you should ever need to board him in a kennel, while on holiday, for example, you will need to show proof that his inoculations are up to date.

I am soooo sorry to hear you lost your pup Chanah.  I definately will do.

We have been on it like he's our child, he's all up to date with everything and I am going to keep it that way.

I just wanted to see if people didn't think it really made a difference, or they didn't do it themselves and how their pets were. Like I said, growing up we never did yearly shots and all our animals were always fine. I am so sad to hear your story.

Forest is now such a huge part of our lives, and  even to my in laws and family in the US (pictures!), that if anything were to happen I would just be heartbroken for days.

Lots of hugs. x

I keep up the shots with my cats, even though they're indoors-only.  Just in case they escape/something gets in.  Some vaccines I don't do, as they don't work that well and can have negative consequances.. like the feline AIDS vaccine.   Are some dog vaccines the same? 

Thanks, Stephx86.  It was a long time ago, but it is still a very sad memory.  My husband and I did get a dog when I first came to England - one that found us one night in the middle of Sheffield.  He was a lovely chap, and he became part of our family, along with our cats.  But he died quite a while ago, pretty much of old age.  I think we may finally be ready to get a new dog, hopefully some time this year.  Dogs are wonderful - enjoy yours and take good care of him.

I agree, but is it really needed?  Will it affect life span positively?

Spaying and neutering your dogs and cats can prevent certain types of cancer.  It is especially important for females to be spayed.  Unless you intend to breed your dog because he is of some remarkable pedigree--not simply that he is pure bred--I would neuter him. 

I would just like to say...in the end it's worth the cost. We don't keep up to date with our cats shots and vaccines and 2 months ago within a month time span we spend $1500 on vet bills trying to figure out what was wrong with him...having him tested for all the things we could have rulled out with the shots in the first place.

They do have very CHEAP pet insurance which is what we plan on getting for our cat because it will be very benefical.

http://www.petinsurance.com
http://www.gopetplan.com

I dont want to get on a soapbox here, but please please neuter your pup.  There are many health and behaviour benefits including the following:

1. Removes the sexual urge and the chances of him wandering off (and perhaps getting hit by a car or injured in a fight).
2. May reduce certain types of aggression.
3. Reduces the risk of hormone-related diseases.
4. Reduces the risk of anal and perineal cancers.
5. Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.
6. Significantly reduces the risk of prostate gland problems.

I'll chime in here and share the soapbox on the spay/neuter issue.  In this day and age, when there are so many potential pets being destroyed in shelters and abandoned around the world, it is amazing to me that people still question whether to spay/neuter a non-breeding pet (and don't even get me started on the "purebred" world).

People (and animals) get vaccines for two reasons: to protect themselves, and to protect the community.  The reason that smallpox has been virtually eliminated is because of the vaccination efforts to combat it.  By being vaccinated, you are performing a social good just as much as you are protecting yourself.

I see spay/neuter through a similar lens.  By preventing your dog from being able to reproduce, you not only protect him from the health ills and behavioral problems that can lead to sickness and injury, you are also performing a social good that reduces the chances of more unwanted animals being brought into the world and having to be destroyed before they can know the joy of a loving home.  One afternoon's absence and an unneutered male can easily encounter a stray or unspayed female and bring a whole litter of unwanted pups into the world, which overwhelmed shelters will have to house, feed, treat, and likely kill. A large social cost for such a small personal sacrifice.

To be quite frank, whenever I see an unneutered male dog or cat out and about, I lose tons of respect for the owners.  With all the information that is out there, why people don't choose to spay/neuter as early as is reasonable is just beyond me.  They are unwittingly imposing a social hazard on those of us who love animals and hate the reckless destruction of innocents.

I'll step down off my soapbox now.  It's the second time I've come across this issue in the last 6 months (someone questioning the necessity of vaccinations and/or spaying-neutering their pet) and it aggravates me to no end.  Trying to rationalize away one's responsibilities to society is so selfish.  Not that that's necessarily the case in the OP's situation, but it's increasingly common in our "me first" world.

A bit late, but vaccinations are kind of like insurance.  Wouldn't you rather be covered instead of taking a chance with tragedy?

He isn't out and about that much with other dogs, but does go to the park and on walks in the countryside.

A dog can get parvo from walking on the ground another dog who is carrying it has walked on.

I've seen puppies and dogs come in and later die of parvo or distemper, cats and kittens of feline leukemia and it's HORRIBLE!  It wouldn't have happened if the owners would have been responsible and kept their pet vaccinated.  Given what I've seen, I feel very strongly about vaccination.

but after reading a lot we can neuter at any time and don't want to too early because of bone/growth issues.

Neutering earlier is better.  It makes the surgery easier and faster and generally cheaper for you.  I have never heard anything about bone/growth issues when neutering at 6 months.  6 months is the standard age.

I also agree with spaying/neutering.  There really isn't any reason not to do so unless you are going to be breeding. mirrajay did an excellent job outlining the health risks associated with unneutered males.  For unspayed females there is an increased risk of mammary tumors and pyometria.

I'll chime in here and share the soapbox on the spay/neuter issue.  In this day and age, when there are so many potential pets being destroyed in shelters and abandoned around the world, it is amazing to me that people still question whether to spay/neuter a non-breeding pet (and don't even get me started on the "purebred" world).

People (and animals) get vaccines for two reasons: to protect themselves, and to protect the community.  The reason that smallpox has been virtually eliminated is because of the vaccination efforts to combat it.  By being vaccinated, you are performing a social good just as much as you are protecting yourself.

I see spay/neuter through a similar lens.  By preventing your dog from being able to reproduce, you not only protect him from the health ills and behavioral problems that can lead to sickness and injury, you are also performing a social good that reduces the chances of more unwanted animals being brought into the world and having to be destroyed before they can know the joy of a loving home.  One afternoon's absence and an unneutered male can easily encounter a stray or unspayed female and bring a whole litter of unwanted pups into the world, which overwhelmed shelters will have to house, feed, treat, and likely kill. A large social cost for such a small personal sacrifice.

To be quite frank, whenever I see an unneutered male dog or cat out and about, I lose tons of respect for the owners.  With all the information that is out there, why people don't choose to spay/neuter as early as is reasonable is just beyond me.  They are unwittingly imposing a social hazard on those of us who love animals and hate the reckless destruction of innocents.

I'll step down off my soapbox now.  It's the second time I've come across this issue in the last 6 months (someone questioning the necessity of vaccinations and/or spaying-neutering their pet) and it aggravates me to no end.  Trying to rationalize away one's responsibilities to society is so selfish.  Not that that's necessarily the case in the OP's situation, but it's increasingly common in our "me first" world.

Amazing post. I totally agree.

Definitely neuter your dog, and please vaccinate him. I can't say much else that everyone else on here hasn't already said but I want to add another voice saying that you *should* neuter and vaccinate!

I do have one question though, you mentioned being worried about neutering due to "bone/growth" issues. What issues worry you exactly? If it is the possible "stunting" of growth that you are worried about - rest assured, this definitely won't be a problem! Pre-pubertal neutering does not stunt animals, it actually usually results in an inch or so of *extra* growth. This is due to the fact that testosterone stimulates the closure of growth plates in the bones, when there is a much lower level of testosterone circulating due to the lack of testicles, these growth plates close later (a couple of months or so later than normal) resulting in animals with longer "long bones" (ie femurs, radius/ulna, tibia/humerus, etc.). So early neutering is not a bad thing!! Many shelters neuter animals at as young an age as 6 weeks. I personally have spayed/neutered tiny (well, they have to weigh at least two pounds!) 8 week old kittens/puppies and you will never see a quicker recovery from surgery!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

he's going to be neutered, we planned it out with the vet. He's going in tonight for a check up and worming. He's all caught up with his shots. 

Wonderful choice, Steph!!