Neutering Your Dog

When there is no real need to breed your dog—because he is not a show breed, or you simply do not want to have puppies around the house—it is a good idea to have your dog spayed or neutered. But did you know that fixing your dog can also be great for his health and longevity?

What Does it Mean to Neuter a Dog

Neutering and Spaying involves the removal of the dog's sex glands. The testicles get removed in males, the ovaries and usually part of the uterus in females.

Temperament in Neutered Male Dogs

When you neuter a male, you are reducing the production of testosterone. Low testosterone in the system helps to reduce the straying nature of male dogs. Another helpful reason to neuter your dog is that it helps prevent (or reduce) inappropriate sexual, aggressiveness, and dominant behaviors.

Prostate Cancer in Intact¹ Male Dogs

Prostate cancer is a serious problem with old intact male dogs (those that have not been castrated). Testicular tumors are another condition that is prone to occur in old male dogs that haven't been neutered. This can obviously be prevented by castration early in life. Young male dogs that have undescended² testicle(s) are also prone to developing tumors. In the case of these young dogs, neutering is highly recommended. Getting young males castrated early is very important to the prolonged health of those that have testicles which are NOT dropped before six to nine months of age.

¹_{Dogs that have not been neutered and still have their reproductive organs are called "intact" dogs.}

² _{Undescended testicles are those that remain inside the body and do not drop or "descend" into the testicle sack.}

Not very common in the U.S., a temporary neutering can be done using medications that inhibit testosterone in the male. These chemicals can reduce the libido and help treat prostate concerns. Medicines can be used to suppress or delay oestus (ovulation) in female dogs.

Monthly Estrogen Surge in intact Female Dogs

With our female canines, we find a greater number of health reasons for spaying—meaning the neutering of females within the species. Every monthly season (estrus) a female dog experiences an intense explosion of hormones that increase the chance of developing breast cancer in later years. If spayed before her first season, she has a very small chance of tumor growth in her mammary tissues, (¼ of intact female dogs will develop mammary masses in maturity).

Pyometra In Female Dogs - An older unspayed bitch is prone to pyometra—an unpleasant uterine infection that can make it necessary to have emergency surgery for the removal of the infected uterus. Having your dog spayed takes care of you ever having to worry about this happening to your canine companion.

Diabetes and Epilepsy in Spayed Dogs - Other concerns with unspayed females has to do with diabetic and epileptic dogs. It seems that under these conditions, neutered females do much better than their fertile counterparts. Dogs who suffer with these disorders have far less problems surrounding their health when they have been spayed early in life.

Incontinence in Spayed Female Dogs - Spayed female dogs have been known to suffer more incontinence later in life, but this is not a common problem and is quite treatable when it does occur.

When To Neuter Male Dogs

Once you have decided to neuter your male dog, timing is not as vital as it is with female canines. As long as your boy dog has reached six to nine months of age (and even later) it is safe to castrate him.

When to Spay Female Dogs

With neutering your female canine, timing is quite important. The female has a much greater blood supply to her uterus during her season than she does between cycles. Making it much safer to spay her between the cycles. Because of this concern, female dogs are generally spayed three months after their first season. This will make the operation less difficult for your veterinarian, and as safe as possible for your dog.

Post-surgical Care for Neutered Dogs

Anesthesia - Because anesthesia can make it difficult for a dog to regulate its temperature, the evening following surgery it is important to provide a warm comfortable place to recover. Anesthesia can also make your dog unsteady on his/her feet, even wobbly, so monitoring movement is also important.

Eating - Your dog may feel queasy and not be very interested in eating, vomiting may even occur. Only offer small, bland food (like white rice and boiled chicken) that is easily digested. No Large Meals of Any Kind!

Incision Care - Dogs have a built-in desire to lick anything that hurts, and the wounds created during neutering are no exception. You will need to keep an eye on your dog to prevent him from licking his wounds. The vet can give you a cone-collar (an Elizabethan collar) to help you control this habit.

Sutures and Restrictions - Dogs that have sutures (stitches) need plenty of rest and should be kept calm until the incision wound heals and the stitches are removed. Be sure to ask your veterinarian how much rest is needed for your particular dog, it may vary from breed to breed. As a general rule, your dog should be restricted to one or two short (5 minute) on-leash walks daily. DO NOT allow off-leash exercise until your vet gives the okay.