Many dog owners are undecided about whether they should have their dog neutered. There is no general answer to this and opinions are quite divided. This article summarizes the most important aspects of “neutering a dog” and shows the advantages and disadvantages of neutering.
This is done when castrating
Neutering serves the same purpose regardless of gender: it takes away the ability to reproduce in both male and female dogs. The ovaries are removed from the bitch, while the testicles are removed from the male.
What does neutering do to a dog?
Neutering the dog deprives both male and female dogs of the ability to reproduce.
The process of castration
Before a castration can be carried out, it is of course checked in advance whether the dog is suitable for surgery. Possible complications, for example due to (previous) illnesses, are excluded. General anesthesia is required for the operation during castration. The dose of anesthetic is tailored to the dog, depending on the size and expected duration of the operation.
Before the operation is performed, the dog is not allowed to eat anything for about 12 hours.
Expiry female
The incision area must be well disinfected and shaved before the operation. Once the abdomen was opened, the ovaries and uterus were protruded. Finally, the ovaries are removed. The uterus must then be brought back to its original position. Once this is done, the bitch’s abdomen is closed again.
Process males
Even with a male dog, the area to be operated on is shaved and disinfected. In males, the abdominal wall does not have to be cut open, here an incision is made on the scrotum. The spermatic cords are tied off and the testicles are removed. Once this is done, the incision on the scrotum can be closed again.
The intervention in a male is completed after 20-30 minutes. In bitches, the procedure can take up to an hour, as the procedure is more complex. It can also take an hour or two for the anesthetic to wear off. Most dogs are given a lick guard or neck brace after surgery to prevent them from licking or chewing on their wound.
Approximately 10 days after the operation, the stitches can be removed from the four-legged friends. There is no gender difference here.
How does neutering affect the dog’s body?
Neutering has a high impact on the dog’s body. The removal of the sexual organs disrupts the animal’s hormonal balance and has to rearrange itself after the operation. Heat or pseudopregnancy are usually no longer an issue after castration. Apart from that, castration also affects other parts of the body. In many dogs, especially long-haired specimens, the surgical procedure changes the hair structure and color. An agreement to be overweight and an increased appetite can also be the result of castration.
Pros and cons of castration
Advantages
In any case, the advantages of castration in dogs are the way to safe and permanent contraception and the disappearance of heat symptoms in bitches. These include bloody discharge and false pregnancy. The latter is a common reason for castration in bitches, since false pregnancies that occur regularly are a great burden for the four-legged friend. Males are castrated in many cases due to high levels of aggression and a very high sex drive. The surgical intervention often provides a remedy and leads to a change in social behavior. Even the preputial catarrh does not occur in castrated males. If dogs are neutered at an early age, this can have a preventive effect in relation to certain diseases. These include mammary tumors, testicular cancer, or prostate problems.
All advantages at a glance:
In male dogs, castration can prevent testicular cancer as well as some diseases of the prostate.
A neutered male will, in most cases, be calmer and have virtually no sex drive.
Meeting a bitch in heat is much more relaxed.
Castration can prevent uterine suppuration in bitches.
Neutering significantly reduces the risk of developing tumors in the area of the milk bar.
Early neutering (before the second heat at the latest) helps to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer.
The bitch can no longer come into heat after castration. There are no behavioral changes due to heat.
Disadvantages
Disadvantages can in any case be a long-lasting wound healing and possible complications. The wounds can become inflamed or sutures can come loose. Dogs often tend to be overweight after castration because the hormone balance is thrown out of its natural balance. This varies from breed to breed and is especially true for the retriever, beagle and cocker spaniel. The hair structure can also change as a result of the procedure. Many spaniels usually have wavy and lighter fur after castration. The pros and cons of the procedure should be discussed with your trusted veterinarian. If you feel unsure, get a second opinion.
All disadvantages at a glance:
- Bleeding in the scrotum due to blood clotting disorders;
- Risk of infection of the wound (e.g. through unwanted licking or scratching);
- Possibly weight gain after castration: Sex hormones are jointly responsible for the dog’s
appetite and metabolism;
- Unwanted behavioral changes such as increased aggression and alertness in bitches (with strong protective instincts);
- Possible coat change;
- Possibly lethargy in males.
Does neutering make sense for every dog?
Basically, it is important that there is a medical need to have the dog neutered. The dog must not be neutered out of sheer convenience and the procedure is only permitted if there is a medical indication. It should also be borne in mind that the surgical intervention has a strong impact on the organism, including through anesthesia. In order for the dog to undergo this operation, it must be in excellent health and in top shape.
Ideally, the advantages and disadvantages of neutering should be discussed in advance with a trusted veterinarian. It is also important that the course of the operation, the healing and recovery, and any alternatives to the surgical procedure are discussed. Sometimes castration can be circumvented by other means, depending on the medically necessary reason. The advantages and disadvantages of castration are extremely individual and can hardly be generalized. Every dog’s health is different and the need and outcome of spaying depends on age, weight, size, sex and medical history. In addition, the social behavior of the four-legged friend also plays a decisive role in the context of castration.
At what age should dogs be neutered?
In theory, a dog can be neutered at any time if the veterinarian agrees. Most dogs are neutered in the first few years of life.
When is the best time to neuter your dog?
In theory, a dog can be neutered at any time if the veterinarian agrees. With older four-legged friends, however, the risk of complications during the operation increases. Even a very early castration only makes sense in special cases.
It should always be remembered that spaying restricts the development of the four-legged friend. In the case of a bitch, this means that if possible you should wait until she is in heat for the first time. Only then are body and mind sufficiently developed. Depending on the breed, this is between six months and one year old.
The same goes for males, of course. If these are castrated too early, this not only slows down their mental and physical development, but often also leads to later aggression problems in the animal. As a rule, therefore, you should wait until the end of the first year of life before castrating male dogs.
When should I neuter my dog?
Basically, a dog should only be neutered due to medical necessity. The best time for spaying is about 12 weeks after the bitch’s first heat. Early neutering is not advisable, as the dog’s organism first has to reach its physical and mental maturity.
You have to consider this before and after castration
It is generally valuable if the days around the surgery date are as stress-free as possible. It is therefore recommended that work and household are given priority these days. In this way, the dog can be completely supported. If you live in a large household or have frequent visitors, you should prepare a place for your four-legged friend that is far away from any hustle and bustle. After the operation, the little fur nose will need a lot of rest and will be happy about a warm, sheltered nest.
Before an operation, there are usually a few preliminary examinations, during which the veterinarian will explain the procedure and aftercare. Since each dog has individual needs, it is important to follow the veterinarian’s advice. In any case, the dog should be sober before its operation and should not be given any food for about 12 hours beforehand. It is important that the dog is motivated to drink more the day before the operation so that the body can prepare itself well for the operation. Shortly before the appointment, it should be ensured that the pet’s resting place is prepared and that a relaxed atmosphere awaits you at home after the procedure. In addition, a short walk should take place directly before the operation, on which the dog can defecate and urinate. In this way, the organism of the four-legged friend is perfectly prepared for the procedure and the anesthesia.
After surgery, it is important that the dog has plenty of time to recover. Full recovery usually takes between 14 and 16 days. It is important that a hospital bed is prepared for the darling away from other pets, children or visitors. The dog should always be able to find fresh water in its immediate vicinity and receive lots of affection. Postoperative symptoms often occur and should be well prepared for. It is perfectly normal for dogs to have problems with orientation and balance after the procedure. It is therefore important to stand by the dog’s side and accompany him initially should he want to get up and move around. If the dog is already able to climb stairs, it should be supported and accompanied from behind so that it does not fall over or fall.
It’s also important not to let the dog jump onto the couch or bed. The jump can tear seams or injure the dog due to the sudden movement. It is also important to avoid carrying the dog after the operation. Spaying alters the strength of the abdominal muscles in female dogs because the incisions run across the torso. The structures need time to heal completely. Some dogs become nauseous and vomit after anesthesia. This is not usually the case, but there is no need to worry should it happen. If the dog vomits more frequently or shows other worrying symptoms, the veterinarian should be contacted immediately. After neutering, it is also common for the dog to need a lot of sleep. The postoperative symptoms are similar to those of us humans. The body of the four-legged friend needs a lot of rest.
How to take care of the dog’s incision is usually explained in detail by the veterinarian. The incision is usually held together with threads, staples, wound glue or dissolving stitches so that it can heal in peace. If it has been stitched or stapled with non-dissolving threads, the threads or staples are usually removed 10 to 14 days after the operation. When using wound adhesive, care should be taken not to get the wound wet. Therefore, the dog should neither be bathed nor romped around in streams during walks. Any romping should be limited, especially in the first week after the operation, so that the wounds can heal properly.
Change in behavior after castration
It is important to realize that the dog’s behavior is not only influenced by hormones. Relevant factors are, among other things, the upbringing and the instinct of the dog. Therefore, the actual behavior after neutering cannot be predicted. Frequently, not only the sexual behavior of the dog changes, but also its personality. This is especially true for male dogs. Many owners wish for a quieter and less dominant or aggressive four-legged friend and put great stock in castration. But here it is important to mention again that castration does not compensate for a lack of or wrong upbringing. Unwanted dog behavior cannot be eliminated by spaying and neutering. Dogs, especially male dogs, often fall back into their puppy years and end up being more agile, energetic and in need of stricter leadership. Other dogs become calmer after the surgical procedure and, above all, approach members of the opposite sex with more calm. You only find out how the dog actually behaves after castration after the procedure.
Will the dog calm down after neutering?
Whether the dog actually becomes calmer after castration depends very much on the dog’s upbringing and the behavior it has already learned. In any case, the sex drive is often reduced and neutered dogs usually meet the opposite sex more relaxed and reserved.
Cost of castration
If you want to castrate your dog, you should ask different veterinarians for an offer. Usually, an amount between $100 and 400 should be expected. On average, it costs around $250 to have your dog neutered. The exact costs also depend in part on the physique of the four-legged friend and, above all, on the gender. The intervention in bitches is significantly more complex than in males, so that the costs of castration in a bitch are higher.
How expensive is it to neuter a dog?
The price of castration depends heavily on the time required and the degree of difficulty of the operation. The costs are between $100 and 500.
Alternatives to castration: sterilization and hormone chip
Sterilization
Spaying and neutering are standard procedures in dogs. The term spaying is often equated with the castration of bitches, but this is incorrect. Sterilization is something completely different and is also an option for both male and female dogs. Both surgeries result in infertility.
During castration, the animals’ hormone-producing glands (testicles or ovaries) are removed. This hormonal change often results in behavioral changes. With sterilization, on the other hand, only the vas deferens or fallopian tubes are severed, which makes your pet infertile. Since the hormones are still produced autonomously by the body, neither the behavior nor the reproductive drive of your dog changes.
Hormone chip
For male dogs, there is a possible alternative to conventional castration with the implantation of a hormone chip. With this method, the dog has a chip placed under its skin on the neck, which contains Deslorelin. Deslorelin is similar to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone and ensures that the four-legged friend becomes infertile. The chip thus acts almost like a normal castration – only without an operation.
However, it takes several weeks for the castration chip to take effect. Since the testosterone production is reduced by the steady release of Deslorelin, the chip affects the sex drive of the four-legged friend just like a normal castration.
The effect lasts for 6 to 12 months – even longer depending on body weight. The hormone chip is suitable for first observing the change in behavior of your dog before you decide on a correct castration.
