Neutering your dog

Spaying dogs has many health and lifestyle benefits, but there are more chances of complications than with cats.

The anesthetics used in the procedure vary, and it is worth discussing with your veterinarian which anesthetic will be used, as there are different safety margins and recovery periods between products. Most procedures will involve premedication / sedation, an induction injection in a front leg where the hair will be cut (after which the dog will be unconscious), followed by a gas delivered to your pet through a tube placed in the windpipe. Sometimes this can cause a cough for a few days after the operation. Ask your vet about pain relievers administered during the operation.

Bitches

Pros. Spaying will prevent the development of a life-threatening uterine infection called Pyometra and will dramatically reduce the risk of breast cancer if done at a young age. There will also normally be a cessation of seasons without bleeding or behavior changes and without unwanted pregnancies or “false pregnancies”.

Cons. There may be changes in temperament, some female dogs become more docile and some will have a greater tendency to gain weight. There is also a higher incidence of urinary incontinence in old age, especially if the surgery is performed at a very young age. There is a small risk of bleeding and problems may occur within the skin wound. However, these are not common.

Ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus) is done by cutting through the abdomen. When the patient is overweight or very large there is a greater tendency to bleed and bruise. This is a major surgery, although it is performed routinely, but the incidence of complications is very low. Recovery may take several days and healing may take several weeks. It is typical for five to ten sutures to remain in the skin to be removed seven to ten days later.

Timing of the operation: Most vets will neuter female dogs older than nine months. Many vets prefer to wait until after the first season, although this is not strictly necessary.

Halfway between the seasons is better and increasing age presents more risks

The cost varies wildly but would normally be in the range of £ 70 – £ 250

Male Dogs

Pros. Castration reduces the risk of common prostate diseases that can cause pain and urinary problems later in life, and testicular tumors are prevented. The behavior is usually less aggressive after surgery, especially towards other dogs. Overly loving behavior is also greatly reduced, resulting in fewer traffic accidents and diversions.

Cons. There may be temperament changes: calmer dogs with, occasionally, a tendency to gain weight.

Castration (removal of the testicles) is usually done through a single incision in front of the scrotum. Complications can include bleeding into the empty scrotum, and for this reason the scrotum is sometimes removed (ablation). Recovery normally takes about a day. Typically, two or three sutures remain in the skin to be removed seven to ten days later.

When there is only one or no testicle in the scrotum, castration is strongly recommended to avoid problems with a “retained” testicle within the abdomen.

Timing of the operation: Most vets will neuter dogs older than nine months. Premature castration can affect the development of a male body and male behavior.

The cost varies wildly but would normally be in the range of £ 50 to £ 200

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