What are the health benefits to the dog?
- Reduce incidence of prostate gland disease and enlargement.
- Prevention of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus.
- Decreased excessive preputial discharge
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Activity
level and appetite do not change with neutering. A male dog should not
gain weight or become less interested in activity post neuter.
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.
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. |
