I have a 4 year old Chihuahua who I have had since he was 6 weeks old. I know that is normally too young to be taken away from their mother but I received him as a birthday present and he is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was told when he was about 2 years old that he had a heart murmur, but then when I moved back to PA, and took him to a vet around here, they never said a word about the heart murmur until the next visit and I asked how is his murmur is, that is when she also stated that he has a heart murmur. I finally was able to take him to the heart doctor about this. $400.00 later, I was told I have nothing to worry about, just need to watch his breathing and that it would be fine to have him neutered. I struggle with this because as vet stated if he is not neutered he could get cancer, and have problems. I went to the Heart Vet to get the ok, for I was worried about his heart and the asthenias. He is alright to have the surgery, but I am worried it will change his personality, and scared to death that because he is only 4lbs. and has this heart murmur that he would not make it is it worth it to have this surgery and take the chance of cancer? Are the chances that bad if he is not neutered? I know I should of never waited this long, but I am 28 and do not have a lot of money so I had to wait for the Heart Vet before I started to think about this. I read that being neutered is more about not over populating? Any advice. I am just a scared Mom, but also want him around and if being neutered is really something he should have I want to know.
Thanks
Christine