What are the health benefits to the dog?
The prostate gland under the influence of testosterone
in intact males will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog’s
life. In age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large
enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate will also be predisposed
to infection which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering.
Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance
thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign
hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously
held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true.
WHAT BEHAVIORAL CHANGES CAN BE EXPECTED AFTER NEUTER?
The only behavior changes that are observed after neutering
relate to behaviors influenced by male hormones. Playfulness, friendliness,
and socialization with humans are not changed. The behaviors that change
are far less desirable. The interest in roaming is eliminated in 90%
of neutered dogs. Aggressive behavior against other male dogs is eliminated
in 60% of neutered dogs. Urine marking is eliminated in 50% of neutered
male dogs. Inappropriate mounting is eliminated in 70% of neutered dogs.
WHAT EXACTLY IS DONE SURGICALLY?
An incision is made generally just forward from the
scrotum. The testicles are removed through this incision. The stalks
are tied off and cut. Castration is achieved. The skin incision may
or may not have stitches. If the testicles are not removed, the desirable
benefits listed above cannot be achieved.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT UPON DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL?
The scrotum is often swollen in the first few days after
surgery, leading some people to wonder if the procedure was really performed.
If the dog is immature at the time of neutering, the empty scrotum will
flatten out as he grows. If he is mature at the time of neuter, the
empty scrotum will remain as a flap of skin. Sometimes the incision
is mildly bruised. Most male dogs are eager to play the day after surgery
but, to keep the incision intact, it is best to restrict the dog from
boisterous activity.
AT WHAT AGE CAN NEUTERING BE PERFORMED?
The traditional age for neutering is around 6 months
of age, but can be done as early as 8 weeks. Dogs neutered before puberty
(generally age 6 months) tend to grow a bit bigger than dogs neutered
after puberty (testosterone stops bone growth).
The benefits of neutering (both health and behavioral)
can still be obtained regardless of the age at which neutering is performed.
WILL HE GET OVERWEIGHT OR LETHARGIC?
Activity level and appetite do not change with neutering.
A male dog should not gain weight or become less interested in activity
post neuter.
WILL HE STILL BE INTERESTED IN FEMALES?
His interest will be reduced but if he is around a female
dog in heat, he may become aroused. Mounting behavior often has roots
in the expression of dominance and may be expressed by a neutered male
in a variety of circumstances that are not motivated by sexuality.
WHAT IF A DOG HAS AN UNDESCENDED TESTICLE?
Undescended testicles have an increased tendency to
grow tumors over descended testicles. They may also twist on their stalks
and cause life-threatening inflammation. For these reasons, neutering
is recommended for dogs with undescended testicles. This procedure is
more complicated than a routine neuter; the missing testicle can be
under the skin along the path it should have descended to the scrotum
or it may be inside the abdomen. Some exploration may be needed to find
it thus there is often an incision for each testicle. The retained testicle
is sterile and underdeveloped. If there is one descended testicle, this
one will be fertile but since retaining a testicle is a hereditary trait,
it is important that the male dog not be bred before he is neutered.
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