More and more guardians are evaluating the possibility of neutering a dog, either to combat the alarming numbers of abandonment, the development of various pathologies, such as cancer, or the improvement of character. In any case, in addition to the price, it is important to know what are the consequences and benefits of this process, as well as what are the postoperative care that the individual should receive.
You want to know more? In this article on our site we are going to delve into what it means to neuter a dog, we will explain what exactly this intervention means, how it is performed, when it can be scheduled, what the postoperative period should be and what specific consequences are going to derive from this surgery.
This will help us dismantle some myths that still circulate about it. Of course, the veterinarian is the most qualified professional to provide us with all this information, therefore, in case of doubt, we will go to a trusted veterinary clinic and ask for more details.
Meaning of castration
Castrating a dog is an intervention that consists of the removal of his testiclesIt is important to note that castration is not synonymous of sterilization, since there are differences between both concepts. Sterilization involves making an animal sterile, which is achieved by castrating but also by performing a vasectomy, that is, cutting the ducts that transport sperm.
In veterinary medicine, castration is usually recommended, which we will talk about in this article, since vasectomy only prevents fertilization and is more complicated to perform and for the postoperative period. In addition, it does not prevent all the symptoms that a dog develops when it detects a bitch in heat, nor does it inhibit mounting.
Dog castration
As female dogs are the ones that cause the most "problems" for their caretakers during heat, since they stain and, moreover, can get pregnant, it is more common to operate on them before the males. But dog handlers also need to be aware of the benefits of neutering and the consequences of not having surgery on their dog.
It's not just about avoiding canine overpopulation, but also. Castration offers benefits for the animal's he alth Avoid fights and escapes, anxiety and stress when detecting a fertile female, testicular and perianal tumors, prostate hyperplasia, as well as prostatitis or prostate cysts and prolongs life expectancy.
The procedure to castrate a dog is simple and is very common in any veterinary center. With the dog asleep, a small incision is made through which the testicles are removed. Then, you just have to suture, which can be done under the skin, thus avoiding putting external stitches. Of course, it is a surgical technique that can only be performed by a veterinarian This professional will be able to explain the procedure in detail.
Maximum age to neuter a dog
There is no maximum age to neuter a dog. Thus, even if we adopt him when he is older, it is possible neutering an adult dogThe only limit is his he alth. Before putting an animal in the operating room, a veterinary check-up must be carried out, ideally with a blood test and an electrocardiogram. If the animal is he althy, it can be operated on. Otherwise, it would be necessary to assess the risks and benefits of the intervention.
Regarding the ideal age for the operation, it will vary depending on the size of the dog. It is usually looked for that it has completed its growth but that it still does not manifest sexual behaviors, approximately at 8-9 months, earlier in small dogs and somewhat later in those of big size In any case, depending on each dog and its circumstances, the veterinarian will indicate the most appropriate time.
Neutering a dog: postoperative
The postoperative period of a castration is simple. It is normal for the vet to administer an antibiotic and an analgesic to the dog that we can continue to give at home for the first few days to avoid any discomfort. Although there are more sensitive dogs that can reduce their activity or appear somewhat dull, the usual thing is that dogs, as soon as they leave the operating room, continue with their routine.
We just have to make sure that the wound heals well and that it is not touched, as the incision could open and cause an infection. For this, the veterinarian will probably recommend the use of the Elizabethan collar or some type of mesh to cover his body. Other complications of neutering a dog are rare and would be those associated with any surgery. Therefore, we are facing a safe and fast recovery operation.
Neutering a dog: consequences
When we castrate a dog we are preventing it from reproducing in the first place. At this point it is necessary that we demarcate reproduction from sexuality. Dogs only reproduce, so without the hormonal stimulus that castration removes, they won't have any need to mount any female. They won't miss it. In fact, they will not react to a female dog in heat, although it is true that if the surgery is performed on an older dog, mating behaviors may continue.
Neutering will have consequences on behaviors such as aggressiveness linked to reproduction, marking, the monta or the escapismo , but it won't affect to the dog's personality. It is possible for him to gain weight as his energy needs are reduced, which we can avoid by controlling his diet and encouraging him to exercise appropriately.
We have already reviewed the benefits that this operation has for the animal's he alth. In terms of adverse effects, we can point to a small increase in the percentage of appearance of some tumours for which sexual hormones offer some protection. This increase is also linked to neutered dogs living longer, so they are more likely to get cancer
Neuter a dog: price
The price of castration may vary, since it is each Veterinary College that establishes reference prices by which all clinics in the same area will be guided. In addition, it is common for the price to vary depending on the size of the animal. Thus, the larger the dog, the more its intervention will cost. For reference, we can talk about 100-300 euros
We can access lower prices if our city develops sterilization campaigns. Outside of them, very cheap prices should put us on alert, since they may be due to the fact that the surgery is performed without sufficient guarantees.
Neutering an aggressive dog, is it recommended?
Finally, it is very common that neutering is recommended for dogs that show aggressive behavior. It is true that if this behavior is related to heat, that is, the dog defends its territory or attacks conspecifics for females in heat, castration can eliminate or reduce these behaviors. But if the dog is older and has been dragging that aggressiveness for years, castration may not achieve complete control.
In addition, we will have an aggressive dog after neutering if the aggressiveness is due to other causesWe recommend sterilization for many reasons, but if our intention is to make aggressive behaviors disappear, we should first consult an ethologist or a canine behavior specialist to make sure that aggressiveness can improve with neutering.
