Neutering your dog

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The most common method of neutering dogs is surgical neutering, where an operation is performed to remove the testicles in a male and the ovaries (usually with the uterus) in the female.

However, in males, chemical castration is also available as an alternative option to surgery. Vasectomy can be performed in dogs, but this is a much less common procedure. It eliminates the risk of unwanted pregnancy but, with the testicles remaining, the dog’s testosterone levels will stay at normal levels.  This means they may still show normal sexual behaviors and be at risk from testicular disease and sex-hormone-linked tumors.

In some practices keyhole surgery is available for the neutering of female dogs. Keyhole surgery uses cameras and specialized tools to locate and remove the reproductive organs, which is less invasive than traditional surgery.

Both castration in the male dog and spaying in the female are major operations requiring a general anesthetic. Your dog must be fasted for a specified amount of time before the procedure to reduce the risk of complications on the operating table. Castrating male dogs is a relatively straightforward operation but can be complicated if they are cryptorchid (have an undescended testicle). Spaying females is more invasive, but it is one of the most frequent surgeries performed by veterinarians.

Both castration and spaying usually involve a single incision. The incision is in the mid-abdomen for females and requires removing the ovaries and uterus (womb). In males, the incision is above or into the scrotum of the male dog to remove the testicles. Your dog should be ready to come home on the same day as surgery, as soon as the anesthetic has worn off. In some cases, it might be necessary for your veterinarian to keep your dog overnight for observation.

Surgical neutering entirely removes the risk of your dog breeding. However, there are some other health benefits associated with the decrease in sex hormone levels caused by neutering. This is a double-edged sword because there can be some benefit to maintaining the sex hormone production for some dogs. It is important to talk with your veterinarian about the risks and benefits of neutering at various ages.

Females: spaying will stop the bleeding that occurs with every heat cycle and prevent any changes in behavior associated with the heat cycle. Entire females are at risk of experiencing false pregnancies or serious infection in the uterus (pyometra). Early spaying of females may reduce the risk of developing mammary cancer (breast cancer) later in life, but evidence is mixed, and this must be balanced against some of the potential risks associated with early neutering.

Males: urine marking is more prevalent in intact male dogs. If left to their own devices, uncastrated dogs may patrol a vast area in search of a mate and can detect a female in season a long way away. A dog who wanders is far more likely to be involved in a car accident. Surgical castration of male dogs also reduces the risk of developing prostate or testicular disease in later life, as well as hormone-related anal tumors (perianal adenomas). If older male dogs develop these problems, then castration may be recommended as the treatment.

Traditionally, female and male dogs have usually been neutered at about six months old.  However, recent studies now suggest that neutering should take place later than this in certain dog breeds. Most vets suggest waiting until your dog has fully matured before neutering, which can vary for different sizes and breeds. In females, this is usually after their first season. Early neutering has been associated with joint and spinal issues, as well as certain types of cancer in some breeds. There is also an association with early neutering and urinary incontinence in female dogs.

Neutering has also been linked with increased anxiety in dogs that already have fearful tendencies. Neutering is permanent and cannot be reversed, so it is important to explore this with your vet before deciding whether to proceed. Your vet may suggest waiting and/or behavioral training first.

There is no upper age limit for neutering your dog. You may wish to have your dog neutered if you acquire it as an adult or once they have retired as a breeding animal. Neutering mature dogs may reduce urine marking behavior.

Your veterinarian will be happy to discuss with you the best time for neutering your dog, as it may be different for different dogs.

All operations requiring a general anesthetic involve a certain amount of risk, and on rare occasions, there may be complications after the operation. Some known complications of the operation are excessive bleeding during surgery and problems with the wound site afterwards. This may include wound infection or breakdown. It is important that your dog does not lick or nibble at the wound site. You must also follow any other post-operative care instructions like restricted exercise. If you are concerned about your dog after the operation, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Neutering will not have any significant effect on your dog’s lifestyle apart from eliminating its sexual behavior. When dogs have been neutered their energy requirements tend to be lower. It is important to pay careful attention to your dog’s weight in the months after neutering and if necessary to adjust their dietary intake to avoid weight gain.

A small number of female dogs develop urinary incontinence after neutering. They may dribble urine especially when lying down. This is more of a problem in some breeds of dogs than others and has been associated with early neutering (before 6 months of age). If this problem does develop it can often be controlled with daily medication. If you are concerned discuss the risks with your veterinarian.

Some people believe that a female dog needs to have a litter of puppies, but this is not true. What your dog doesn’t know she won’t miss, and we often make the mistake of placing human emotions on our dogs. Neutering will save you the trouble and anxiety of finding good homes for the litter, not to mention the cost of unforeseen complications such as the need for a caesarean section There is also no evidence that having a litter will ‘settle them down’ or alter their personality.

Different veterinarians will charge different prices for neutering, costs may vary according to the location of the practice and the quality of the facilities there. The cost may also vary depending on surgical technique, eg keyhole vs traditional surgery. If you are concerned about the cost of neutering, talk to your veterinarian. On the whole veterinarians want to see as few unwanted puppies as possible and their neutering charges reflect this People on low or fixed incomes may be able to get help with the costs of the procedure from one of the animal shelters. However, it is wise to balance the costs of neutering against the expense of having an unwanted litter. A pregnant female will need more food to support herself and her offspring, she may experience emergency complications when giving birth, the litter will need veterinary attention, and you may have to advertise to find them good homes.