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Neutering - Why and When

It is a sad truth that the number of puppies born every year is far greater than the number good homes that can be found for them. As a result, thousands of healthy animals are destroyed and many unwanted dogs are left to fend for themselves. Having your dog neutered will not only help to reduce these numbers, it is also one of the simplest, safest and most practical ways of safeguarding your dog's health and welfare.

What does neutering involve?

Both castration in the male dog and spaying in the female are major operations, which need a general anesthetic. Your dog must be fasted overnight before the operation to reduce the risk of problems on the operating table. Castrating male dogs is a relatively straightforward operation and there is very little chance of anything going wrong. Spaying females is more difficult but it is one or the operations most frequently carried out by veterinarians and any experienced veterinarian will have done it many hundreds of times.

Both castration and spaying involve a single cut - into the belly of the female to remove the ovaries and uterus or near the scrotum of the male dog to take out the testicles. Your female dog will be hospitalized overnight and ready to come home the next morning. Your male dog should be ready to come home on the same day as the surgery, as soon as the anesthetic has worn off. If there are any complications, your veterinarian might keep your male dog overnight for observation.

What are the benefits of neutering?

Females - Spaying will stop the bleeding that occurs with heat cycles and prevent pregnancies. Females that are not spayed may develop false pregnancy or pyometra (infection in the uterus). Spaying of females before their first heat cycle reduces the risk developing breast cancer later in life.

Males - Some male dogs develop antisocial behavior when they reach maturity. Antisocial behavior may be in the form of aggressive or sexual behavior - mount other dogs or people. Castrating may help prevent this socially unacceptable behavior. Uncastrated dogs, if left to their own devices, may patrol a wide area in search of a mate and can detect a female in heat over long distances. A dog that wanders is far more likely to be involved in a car accident. Castrating male dogs also reduces the risk of developing some diseases of the prostate in later life.

When should my dog be neutered?

Traditionally, female and male dogs have been neutered at about six months old. It is not necessary to wait until your female dog has had her first heat cycle. Your veterinarian will be happy to discuss with you the best time for neutering your dog.

Is it ever too late to have my dog neutered?

There is no upper age limit for neutering your dog. You may wish to have your dog neutered if you acquire it as an adult, or you may want to have a litter or two before your dog is retired as a breeding animal. Male dogs can also be castrated later in life and this may reduce certain types of antisocial behavior. But the older the male is, the more likely that it will continue to show the less desirable behavior traits such as aggression or mounting. If older mate dogs develop prostate problems, castration may be the recommended treatment.

Is neutering dangerous?

All operations requiring a general anesthetic involve a certain amount of risk and, on rare occasions, complications may occur after the operation. If you are concerned about your dog after the operation, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Will neutering make my dog fat and lazy?

Neutering will not have any significant effect on your dog's lifestyle apart from eliminating its sexual behavior. Most owners find that any changes in their dog's personality are for the better as many neutered dogs are more affectionate.

Is it fair to let a female dog have just one litter of puppies?

It is a myth that a dog needs to have a litter of puppies. What your dog doesn't know, she won't miss and spaying will save you the trouble and anxiety of finding good homes for the puppies.

Is neutering expensive?

Different veterinarians may charge slightly different prices for a neutering operation depending on various factors such as the location and the quality of the facilities at the practice. However, on the whole, all veterinarians prefer to see as few unwanted puppies "as possible and thus try to minimize their charges. If money is short, then you can shop around, and people on income support may get help from one of the animal charities. However, it is wise to balance the costs of neutering against the expense of having an unwanted litter of puppies. A pregnant dog will need more food to support herself and her offspring, the puppies will need veterinary attention, and you may have to advertise to find them good homes. Also, a pregnant dog may need additional medication care and possibly surgery (i.e. caesarean section).

For additional information, please contact:

Riverside Animal Hospital 3233 Riverside Drive 336-5090

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