SPAYING OR NEUTERING YOUR DOG

Why should I have my dog spayed or neutered?

Neutering should be considered if you are keeping any male dog as a pet. We recommend spaying all female pets not being actively used for breeding. The benefits to your pet’s health and to help reduce the pet overpopulation crisis make this decision easier.
 

What are the advantages of neutering my male dog?

• Reduces the risk of prostate cancer and prostatitis
• Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer
• Removal of sexual urge which results in less roaming behaviors
• Reduction of certain types of aggression
• Reduces the risk of hormone-related diseases such as perianal adenoma

Is neutering performed for any other reason?
 

The operation may be performed to treat testicular tumors and some prostate gland conditions. It is also used to control hormonal (testosterone) dependent diseases such as anal adenomas. Neutering may also be used in an attempt to treat certain forms of aggression.

What are the advantages of spaying in the female dog?

• Prevention of heat or estrus
• When in “heat”, the female experiences an urge to escape in order to find a mate. This is eliminated.
• It eliminates the possibility of false pregnancy following the “heat cycle”.
• Prevention of uterine infection (pyometra).
• The prevention of breast cancer. Dogs spayed before the first “heat” have less than 0.5% chance of  developing breast cancer.
• Elimination of the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.

What are the disadvantages?

Most of the perceived disadvantages are false. The most quoted of these are that the dog will become fat, characterless, and useless as a guard. Obesity is probably the most commonly quoted disadvantage of neutering. Obesity is the result of overfeeding. By regulating your dog’s diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in neutered or intact males as well as intact or spayed females.

Neither neutering or spaying cause any change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness or affection.

When should the operation be performed?

We recommend spaying and neutering at about 6 months of age and up.

What does the surgery involve?

Both males and females will undergo a general anesthetic.  You will need to withhold food for 12 hours prior to surgery.  Your pet should have free access to water during this time. 

In males, a small incision is made in front of the scrotum and both testicles are removed.

In females, an incision will be made in the midline of the abdomen and the ovaries and uterus will be removed.

In both cases, unless absorbable material has been used, stitches will most likely be present in the skin and will need to be removed 10-14 days after surgery. This may vary and discharge and follow-up instructions will be provided when your pet is released.

Are there any post-operative precautions I should take?

Rest and restriction of activity are the primary post-operative care you should provide. Most dogs can resume normal activity five to ten days after surgery. Until then, leash walks; no running or climbing stairs and lots of rest are the rule.