What is neutering?
Neutering is an orchidectomy surgery. This involves surgical removal (-ectomy) of the testicles (orchid-) as a sterile procedure. The surgery is only performed by a licensed, experienced veterinary surgeon.
Should I have my dog neutered?
We recommend neutering all male pets who are not going to be used for breeding or showing, as an important part of basic preventive health care.
This decision is made easier knowing the benefits that you are making for your pet’s future health.
What are the advantages of neutering my male dog?
- Reduction of the urge to escape to find a mate, thereby reducing roaming and keeping your pet safer.
- The elimination of testicular diseases such as cancer, trauma, and infection.
- Reduction of aggressive behavior.
- The prevention of many prostate gland diseases.
- Reduction of urine marking in the house.
- Likely prevention of hernias and peri-anal tumors.
What does it mean when my dog only has one testicle?
Dogs are born with two testicles but sometimes one gets trapped in the abdomen during the early stages of development. When this happens, it is called cryptorchidism. These testicles are at a greater risk for developing complications including cancer and testicular torsion. It is therefore very important that your dog be neutered.
The surgical procedure is similar to a normal neutering except that two procedures are performed: one to remove the normal testicle, and another to remove the undescended testicle. The second surgery is an abdominal surgery.
Are there any disadvantages?
Most of the perceived disadvantages are false. The most common misconception is that the dog will become fat, characterless, or useless for protection.
Obesity is probably the most common myth of neutering, and is the result of overfeeding a dog at the time of his life when he needs less, not more food. Neutered pets usually eat about the same amount of food that they ate before surgery, but they tend to expend a little less energy because neutering reduces sexual interest and roaming. When this happens, some pets may have a tendency to gain weight. You should always monitor your pet’s weight and, if necessary, adjust the amount of food being fed. Proper nutrition is always important.
Neutering doesn’t cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness or affection.
When should the operation be performed?
The surgery should ideally be performed just before puberty. We recommend neutering at six months of age.
Are there any dangers associated with the operation?
Orchidectomy is a surgical procedure, requiring general anesthesia and performed by an experienced veterinary surgeon using high quality materials under sterile conditions. With our modern anesthetics, blood pressure monitoring, the standard use of intra-operative intravenous fluids, and our experienced monitoring staff, the risk of anesthetic complication is exceedingly low.
Before surgery, your pet will be given a physical examination. Pre-anesthetic blood testing is performed to assess your pet’s internal organ function in order to design a safe anesthetic regimen specifically for your pet. Regardless of your pet’s age or health status, we will work with you to do everything possible to keep your pet safe and comfortable.
What happens during the surgery?
The anesthetized patient, lying on his back, is shaved around the surgical site, and the skin is prepped with sterile solutions for surgery.
The procedure involves making a mid-line incision and surgically removing the testicles. There are sterile dissolvable sutures at the internal incision sites with the same suture material holding the inner layer of the skin together.
The patient recovers from anesthetic in about 5 minutes, is sitting up in about 15 minutes, and walking within an hour
Analgesics (pain medications) are administered before, during and after surgery, to provide a comfortable recovery. Our highly experienced operating room nurses are with your pet during the full recovery period to ensure that no problems can arise.
Are there any post-operative precautions I should take?
When you get home, offer only small amounts of food and water at a time for the first night. Normal feeding can be resumed over the next day or two.
Rest and restricted activity are the primary post-operative care you should provide for the first week or two. Most dogs can resume normal activity about a week after surgery. Until then, leash walks, no running or climbing stairs and lots of rest are the rule. Tranquilizers are available if your dog is too active and it is difficult to restrict activity.
You must prevent your dog from licking the surgical area. To help avoid this, he will be sent home with an Elizabethan collar which should be worn whenever he is un-supervised.
Your dog’s incision needs to be checked daily because if there is too much activity, the scrotum may swell after surgery because of blood or serum accumulation. If this happens or if the incision is red and swollen or oozing please call us. You should also call if your pet constantly licks or chews his incision, seems depressed, or won’t eat.
Dissolvable skin sutures are used and the incision will be checked at your follow-up visit. The emergency clinic is open all night, and all day on weekends and holidays, should unexpected problems arise. Everything will be carefully explained to you after your pet’s surgery.
Please give no home medications without approval from our veterinarian. If your pet seems uncomfortable, call us, as additional pain medication is available if needed.
Almost 100% of the time, patients recover “too quickly”, and keeping your dog quiet is the toughest job of all!
