Hi there,

My very small breed male had a seizure a year ago, he was booked in to be neutered on Monday (last Monday) however he had another seizure on the Saturday, the vet and I both felt neutering so soon after a seizure wasn't a good idea. The vet suggested waiting 2 weeks and if he's seizure free in those 2 weeks to then go ahead with the neuter.
In the mean time he's had the Tardak injection which the dose she gave she says will last 3 weeks. It has yet to take full effect.
Vets have told me that he has too much testosterone, which doesn't really shock me. 
He is very aggressive towards other male dogs, especially my other 2 males however they are larger breeds (medium breed but larger than my boy) to the point that he's trying to attack them whenever they come in the same room as him. Because of his small size he has twice been injured. He wasn't like this at all until around a year ago. (he's 3 almost 4)
I have spoke with a behaviorist who said neutering is the best course of action to start with before trying to re-train him.
My question is, the vet wants to neuter whilst Tardak is still in his system is this wise? Also has anyone had their dog neutered that's suffered with seizures?
Thank you

I had my Golden Retriever neutered, and he had epilepsy. Unfortunately the general anaesthetic set a seizure off, and he managed to bite two vets and one nurse (normally the gentlest dog on earth) but somehow thy still managed to get it done.

If I was you I'd go for the Suprelorin implant. Much better than Tardak, lasts six months, mimics castration, and sounds safer in the case of your dog.

> If I was you I'd go for the Suprelorin implant.

Of the options, so would I.   But 'd have to talk to my vet about that if he's had a Tardak injection.   I would just say if he has epilepsy, I'd not risk having him operated on an castration isn't a cure all in any case.   It prevents puppies, but in general, the rest if down to training and it's not to late to train him.

Thank you both for the reply,

I was debating the implant however the vet only had the vaccine in place that day as obviously none of us knew if his op would go ahead. I'd partly like him to get neutered so that it wouldn't wear off and cause him more stress I'd assume with the implant it will wear off. He's only ever had two seizures but I'd really like them to look into it more and find out if it's epilepsy or Hypoglycemia (common in the breed) or something else all together.

The two times he was injured he suffered badly with swelling of his head, it was really bad. Although it was just swelling it's enough to show that he won't stop even when he's hurt. He goes into a blind rage, it just started around a year ago and although we've tried to stop it he gets so worked up that you can't get through to him. It's awful because he's such a nice dog.

I'd go for Suprelorin too, in a small breed one implant is likely to last a very long time indeed. Apart from avoiding the risk of GA it will give you a long enough time to see if that really is the problem or not.

I got the 6 month one injected into my 19kg dog, it was lasted for 2 years!

I agree with chaumsong If you are using one of the drugs I would wait and see if it makes any difference. If not there is little point in castrating in a rush and it will give you time to  I would look more into the epilepsy and get on with the training.

Even if you castrate there will still be a big element of training to resolve issues still needed. Another thought has anyone suggested testing for thyroid problems ? changes in behaviour can often be attributed to this and since it happened so quickly I would still be looking at medical reasons rather than castration. I don't really understand the too much testosterone  comment as how much is a good amount and how is that tested ?
If he were mine I would be looking at various tests before doing a castration and decide on castration at a later date

Wrong way round.  Train first, then neuter.  If there is any hint of fear involved whatsoever, or even if there is not, removal of testosterone can make things considerably worse.

With his medical problems as well, I would definitely work through training first.  Has the behaviourist given you anything to get started doing?

ETA his epilepsy may well be part of the problem - it can cause or exacerbate aggression.  Where are you on the medication front for that?  And have you looked at possible environmental or food triggers for it?

> Unfortunately the general anaesthetic set a seizure off

Exactly the same happened to my beloved Gemma.  I had her spayed because she had seizures, and the GA set off another one.  Although I believe it's different in a bitch.  If it was a male then I would go for Suprelorin.  I just wouldn't want castration.

I think I've read somewhere that Tardak can actually increase aggression... Suprelorin is the best choice now...

It has been known to happen - it was the trigger for serious aggression towards males in a friend's dog, although it's the only case I know of personally (heard others anecdotally but this one I know in detail).