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Neutering in Dogs: costs, effects, recovery time and other aspects you must know.
Neutering or castration in males dogs is an interesting subject for most people with 4-legged friends at home, but there still exists some confusion on that matter.
Yes, on the one hand, your vet may provide necessary help. On the other hand, you must remember your vet is a professional practising veterinary medicine and, therefore, his or her advice will be strictly scientific. Nevertheless, neutering in dogs implies a series of implications that must be regarded, since there are many false beliefs on the subject.
Therefore, the time has come to clarify and understand: when and why is it adequate to neuter your dog?
In this article, we will try to explain various aspects of neutering in male dogs, a practice that raises doubts since it is less known as spaying in females.
Neutering in Dogs: Pros and Cons
When considering castrating a dog, it is essential to assess the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure, which is generally irreversible. Once our dog is neutered, we will not be able to go back; so we will have to get accustomed to its new lifestyle and temperament.
However, let’s make it clear, behavior and character generally change for good. But in some cases, your dog’s behavior may remain unchanged.
One valid reason that may lead us to castrate our dog is preventing him from suffering from testicular or prostate disease, which unfortunately is very common in dogs of old age. Another reason is to calm down our 4-legged dogs excessive hormonal impulses, helping him relax and have a more serene life.
But we must also remember castration frequently affects metabolism, and this means our dog may gain weight. So after the surgery is performed, a balanced diet is enough to avoid this issue.
Pros of neutering in dogs
- It eliminates the minor risk (probably <1%) of dying of testicular cancer.
- It reduces the risk of non tumoral prostate disorders.
- Some dogs may become more docile.
- It reduces the risk of perianal fistulas.
- It might reduce the risk of suffering from diabetes (non-conclusive results).
- Some dogs calm down from excessive hormonal impulses.
Cons of neutering in dogs
- If performed before the dog turns 1 year old, neutering significantly raises the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); a type of tumor in the dog that lacks a favorable prognostic, and generally occurs on medium-large breeds.
- It raises the risk of cardiac angiosarcoma in a 1.6 factor.
- It triples the risk of hypothyroidism.
- It triples the risk of canine obesity, a common health issue associated with other diseases.
- It raises the risk of orthopedic disorders.
- It raises the risk of adverse reactions to vaccines.
Balance between the risks and benefits of castration in the long term will vary from one dog to the other. Race, age, and sex are variables to consider along with other non-medical factors for every dog in particular.
When Can you Neuter your Dog?
Some even perform the surgery before the dog has reached full sexual maturity and this is a big mistake.
In fact, the risk of compromising and affecting the animal’s development and its immune system still remains.
Neutering in Dogs: Secondary Effects, After Care, and Recovery Time
Neutering in dogs usually consists of an orchiectomy, that is, a procedure that consists in removing the testicles. It is a very simple surgical procedure, which does not have serious secondary effects and the recovery time is pretty quick: convalescence generally does not last more than a week.
During this time, the dog will be prescribed antibiotics to avoid the risk of post surgery infections, after such time it will go back to its daily routine.
An objective reading literature on veterinary medicine reveals a complex situation with respect to the health risks in the long term and the benefits associated with male dog neutering. Scientific evidence shows castration correlates with both favorable and adverse effects in dogs.
Generally, no case other than a clinical one, to prevent future health problems, justifies neutering young male dogs. In most cases, the amount of health problems associated with neutering in young dogs might surpass the benefits.
Neutering in Dogs: Types
Male dog neutering may be performed with 2 completely different methods:
- Surgical, the removal of the testicles.
- Chemical.
In fact, there is also the option of a vasectomy, but this procedure is scarce in dogs. Let’s see which are the differences between the 2 options.
Surgical Neutering in Dogs
Surgical castration is a procedure in which both testicles are removed. During this procedure also called orchiectomy your dog will undergo a general anesthetic. This certainly is an invasive procedure, and, above all, irreversible: once the testicles are removed, it is no longer possible to go back.
Chemical Neutering in Dogs
Chemical castration consists in implanting a device under the dog’s skin, which gradually releases a drug. This chemical lowers testosterone levels, therefore the dog’s mating desire decreases. Chemical castration is reversible: the compound’s effect lasts for a limited amount of time.
Neutering in Dogs: How Much does it Cost?
Traditional neutering may cost around 150 and 300 dollars, or 120-250 English pounds, while chemical castration in dogs, which is not definitive, costs more.
If you have more doubts, you may consult a licenced vet near your house, who will provide the best service and answer all your questions.
You may be interested in reading another article related to the reproduction of our friends such as:
- Weaning Puppies
- Phantom or False Pregnancy in Female Dogs
- Dogs Mating
- Deworming in Dogs
- Dog Pregnancy
