I am in a bit of a dilemma, my boy that has the spinal injury is entire and I have 4 other dogs , 3 bitches 1 of which is speyed and one other entire dog. The boy who is paralyzed in the rear legs is six and a dominant dog who is still a live wire, since his injury my other boy sometimes acts strange to him and does a low growl while trying to avoid him, it is not a aggressive growl its a do not come by me growl I find you different now, also with the 2 girls having seasons I do not want him in anyway stress his back anymore. So I am thinking I may neuter him in the chance ot may chill him a tiny bit more ,but I don't then want to maybe make him vulnerable to the others or making my pack unbalanced. Any opinions welcomed.

This is a hard one, but what I would try is a chemical castration to see if a full neutering would help stop this reaction. From the sounds of it though I do doubt that it could be the fact he is entire that is the reason for the growling.

The reason for the growling is his change of mobility, other boy now knows his weaker, which is why I am a little worried neutering may exasperate the problem :(

Yes, I've seen differences in dogs who perceive a change in the pecking order due to an oldie deteriorating.  I lost my top stud dog early this year, and I've never had so much growling.  Chipper kept them in line with a steely stare, and now I have 3 growlers vying for top dog!

I kind of agree that a chemical castration will at least give you chance to decide.  Never easy is it?

Yes I think chemical may be a good idea, another thing that worry's me is as I have to empty his bladder does neutering males cause any bladder related issues, I've never really looked at male neutering so am a bit green.

I usually spay bitches, and leave males entire.  But I have a Border Collie, neutered due to a testicle being retained in the inguinal canal.  Didn't want him done, but couldn't let him sire a litter.  He was 7 in August and I have never had any issues at all.  Honestly, he's the only neutered male here and has the best ever temperament and only sees the vet for his boosters.

But when you go to see about a possible chemical job, book your favourite vet and discuss bladder infections with him.  Make a list, and fire all your queries at him.  It's what he's paid for.  :-)

My lad has never had a UTI is all I can say.  Good Luck.

Bit late to this thread. My old boy, Tag ( BC) is 14 and despite having been neutered a couple of years ago on advice of vet when he developed a tumour on his bottie -turned out to be benign -is still top dog. We  have three  entire males, all get on well, which is more than I can say for the girls,and all submit to Tag's authority. There has been a little bit of defiance latterly on the part of one of the boys but otherwise things are as they were prior to Tag's neutering. Tag has a 'whale  of a time' when the girls are in season -does wonders for his arthritis and he cavorts with them like a young stud !

I also know a few dogs neutered once fully mature (3+ years) who are top dogs, as neutering that late the dog has already developed it's physical and mental characteristics and the drop in testosterone won't have much effect.

Very different to the oft advocated prepubescent castration.

Surely if inability to sire litters is only reason or castration, vasectomy should be offered, and tubal ligation for bitch puppies.  Less invasive surgery surely for young pups, going through rescue.

This would allow them to develop properly and if needed the new owners could consider spaying later, but I suppose vets have not been taught these techniques.

I was also sent this article by one of my future puppy owners, about a  vet who practices hysterectomy, and ovary sparing sterilisation.

Of course the bitch ahs silent seasons and needs keeping away from males, but in large breeds that tend to bone cancer this has proved beneficial for longevity: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/09/23/modified-spay-procedure.aspx