Content
- Neutering a dog, yes or no?
- Neuter female dog, yes or no?
- Dog spaying: recovery
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Neutering a Dog
- Value of dog spaying
- Is it possible to neuter a dog for free?
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we are going to talk about neutering or neutering dogs, both males and females. It is an everyday intervention in small animal clinics that is being carried out with increasing frequency. Still, it is a surgery that still causes doubts for tutors, and we will answer them below. neuter dogs prevents their reproduction and is, therefore, a very important operation to prevent a large number of animals from being abandoned.
Neutering a dog, yes or no?
Although it is a common practice, neutering or neutering puppies remains a controversial issue for some guardians, especially in the case of male puppies. Since they cannot bring home a litter of puppies and this intervention involves removing the testicles, not a few people show reluctance. Sterilization, in this case, is seen only as a control of reproduction, therefore, these caregivers do not consider it necessary or desirable to operate their dogs, especially if they are not going to move freely. But sterilization has many other purposes, as we'll explain in the next sections.
So much so that the current recommendation is the castration before the first year of life, as soon as the dog completes its growth, regardless of whether it lives on a farm with the possibility of escape or in an apartment in the city. In fact, spaying your dog is part of responsible ownership, both to prevent the dog population from continuing to grow uncontrollably and to gain health benefits.
The operation is simple and consists of making a small incision through which the two testicles are extracted, obviously with the dog under anesthesia. Once fully awakened, he will be able to return home and lead a normal life. We will see the necessary precautions in the corresponding section.
Neuter female dog, yes or no?
The sterilization of bitches is a much more widespread surgery than that of males, as they suffer a few heats a year and can get pregnant, generating puppies that the tutor will need to take care of. Bitches are sterilized to prevent them from breeding, but we'll see that the operation also has other benefits. For this reason, sterilization of all females is recommended. Also, it is important to remember that, if you want to dedicate yourself to raising puppies, it is necessary to become a professional breeder.
The operation that is usually performed on females consists of removal of the uterus and ovaries through an incision in the abdomen. The tendency of veterinarians is to perform the sterilization of bitches by laparoscopy, which means that the surgery evolves so that the cut becomes smaller and smaller, which facilitates healing and avoids complications. Although the opening of the abdominal cavity makes sterilization in females more complex, once they wake up from the anesthesia they can return home and lead a practically normal life.
It is advisable to sterilize them before the first heat, but after completing physical development, around six months of age, although there are variations depending on the breed.
Learn more about this procedure in the article Neutering a female dog: age, procedure and recovery.
Dog spaying: recovery
We've already seen how dogs are sterilized, and we know that recovery takes place at home. It is common for the veterinarian to inject an antibiotic to prevent bacterial infections and prescribe a pain reliever so that the animal does not feel pain for the first few days. Your role in caring for the newly spayed dog is watch that the wound does not open or become infected. It is important to know that it is normal for the area to be reddened and inflamed at first. This aspect needs to get better as the days go by. In about 8 to 10 days, the veterinarian will be able to remove the stitches or staples, if applicable.
The dog usually returns home practically ready to lead a normal life and, although you take him to the intervention on an empty stomach, at this time can you offer him water and some food. At this point, it is worth noting that sterilization will reduce its energy needs, so it is necessary to adapt the diet to prevent the dog from gaining weight and even becoming obese. In the beginning, you should also avoid jumping or rough play, especially in the case of females, as it is easier for your wound to open up.
If the animal manifests pain that does not go away, has a fever, does not eat and does not drink, if the area of the operation looks bad or festers, etc., it is necessary to contact the veterinarian immediately. Also, if the dog licks or nibbles excessively on the wound, you'll need to put on an Elizabethan collar to deter him, at least during times when you can't keep an eye on him. Otherwise, the cut may open or become infected.
To know in detail all the care of neutered puppies, and to maintain an adequate control of recovery after neutering, don't miss this other article: Care of newly neutered puppies.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Neutering a Dog
Before we comment on the pros and cons of neutering dogs, we have to debunk some of the myths that still circulate around this surgery. Many guardians still wonder if neutering a dog changes its personality, and the answer is totally negative, even in the case of males. The operation has an effect only on hormones, so the animal keeps its personality traits intact.
Likewise, the myth that females need to have brood at least once before sterilization must be refuted. It is completely false and, in fact, current recommendations suggest sterilizing even before the first heat. It is also not true that all operated animals gain weight, as this will depend on the diet and exercise we offer them.
Back to advantages of spaying dogs, the following stand out:
- Prevent the uncontrolled birth of litters.
- Avoid heat in females and its effects on males, as these, although they do not eliminate blood, can escape by smelling the pheromones that bitches emit during this period. It is important to know that heat is not just about spots. For animals, regardless of sex, it's a time of stress.
- Protect against the development of diseases in which reproductive hormones intervene, such as pyometra, psychological pregnancy and breast or testicular tumors.
Like inconveniences, we can mention the following:
- Those relating to any surgery with anesthesia and post-operative.
- In some females, although it is not common, urinary incontinence problems can occur, especially related to hormones. They can be treated with medication.
- Overweight is a factor to be considered, so it is important to take care of the sterilized dog's diet.
- The price may put some tutors off.
In summary, although some opponents of sterilization claim that it is recommended for selfish reasons for tutors or for economic reasons for veterinarians, the truth is that dogs are domestic animals that have changed several aspects of living with humans, reproduction being one of them. Dogs cannot have puppies in every heat, and this continued hormonal function ends up causing health problems. In addition, for veterinarians it would be more profitable to charge for contraceptives throughout the dog's life and for the treatment of diseases linked to the reproductive cycle, not to mention the expenses generated by puppies, caesarean sections, etc.
Value of dog spaying
Neutering dogs is a procedure that differs depending on whether the dog is male or female, and this directly affects the price. So, the male operation will be cheaper than that of females, and in them, the price is subject to weight, being cheaper for those with less weight.
In addition to these differences, it is impossible to give a fixed price for sterilization because it also depends on where the clinic is located. Therefore, it is advisable to request a quote from several veterinarians and choose. Remember that while the operation may seem expensive at first, it is an investment that will avoid other expenses that could be much higher.
Is it possible to neuter a dog for free?
If you want to neuter a dog for free or at a reduced price, there are places that develop sterilization campaigns and offer significant discounts. Neutering dogs for free is not common, but if you can't find any campaigns in your area, you can always resort to adopting an animal into a protective association. Each person will have their own conditions, but in general it is possible to adopt a dog that has already been operated on by paying a small amount to contribute to the continuation of the association's work.