NEUTERING YOUR PET (Castration)

CASTRATION is the medical term for surgically sterilizing the male dog.  The testicles are removed because they are the major source of male hormones (e.g.  testosterone) which cause sexual interest, aggression, and urine marking of territory. Therefore, neutering the male pet provides significant advantage to the pet owner.  In contrast, in humans the sperm transport tubes are cut to cause sterility, but the testicles are not removed, allowing the man to continue to exhibit male characteristics.

Reasons why you should have your pet neutered:

1. Decreases the incidence of prostate cancer and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) later in life.  Both of these conditions are life-threatening.

2. Decreases the desire to roam the neighborhood.  Therefore, less encounters with cars, other animals, and upset people.  Hence, less emergency hospital visits!

3. Decreases aggression—primarily towards other male dogs, but also can help in relation to people. Please be assured that if your pet does not have an aggression problem, the surgery will not serve to make him more passive.  You will not see any affect on these pets at all.

4. Decreases urine marking and spraying!  A benefit much appreciated by everyone!

5. Prevents unwanted pregnancies/litters.

6. In cats, neutering helps to prevent infection with FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), for which there is NO VACCINE.  This disease is spread by biting and scratching.  Intact, outdoor male cats are highest at risk for this fatal disease.

Facts about neutering:

1. Neutering does not cause a pet to get fat and lazy.  This comes from overfeeding, normal aging changes, and poor exercise regimen.

2. Personalities are not altered by neutering.  Personalities do not fully develop until 1-2 years of age.  Aggressiveness and viciousness are not the result of surgery.  In fact, personalities will ONLY get better.  Neutering is one of the methods used to help treat aggression.

3. Surgical risk is very slight due to modern anesthesia and techniques, but there is ALWAYS some SMALL risk when an anesthetic is used.  Our hospital uses the safest anesthetic on the market today.

4. The best time to neuter a pet is at 5-6 months of age.

5.  Surgery is performed painlessly while your pet is under general anesthesia.  Post-surgical pain is minimal.  Most pets go home the same day that surgery is performed.

Prior to surgery, all patients receive a pre-anesthetic physical examination.  All potential problems result in a phone call to you and are thoroughly discussed at that time.  Just as your own doctor would never take you to surgery without first running “blood tests”, we recommend  pre-surgical blood screening which can detect many sub-clinical problems.  Not all veterinary clinics run these tests on a routine basis.  It is an optional way that you can increase the anesthesia safety for your pet. The procedures are performed under “general anesthesia”.  The pet sleeps painlessly through the entire surgical procedure.  Anesthesia choices used in our hospital are the same as those used in humans undergoing major surgery.  Newer anesthetics that we use are reported to be ten times safer in older pets than other choices commonly used in veterinary clinics today.

Surgery is performed in an operating room equipped with monitors, emergency equipment, oxygen and ventilation equipment, and the most modern surgical instruments available.  All surgery is done using sterile gloves and surgical instruments.  In our hospital, the same instrument pack is never used on more than one patient without re-sterilization.  Our hospital is committed to quality and therefore maintains high standards for both anesthesia and surgical procedures.

After surgery, each patient is monitored by our staff until fully awake and stable.  No pet is dismissed from the hospital until we are satisfied that it has fully recovered from the anesthesia. 

Very little care is required at home after hospital discharge.  Pets usually go home the same day that surgery is performed.  Rechecks and suture removal in 10 days are included in the initial fee.  Usually male dogs and cats will not need to have sutures removed (they will be absorbable sutures that are buried).

Since many people “price-shop” these procedures, we suggest that you be sure that all prices quoted elsewhere are ‘all inclusive’, and that you tour the facility before making your choice.

Important considerations before and after surgery:

• Your pet should be free of intestinal parasites (worms) and all vaccinations need to be current before surgery.

• Do not feed your pet past 10p.m. the evening before surgery and pick up the water in the morning.

• Restrict your pet’s activity for a week after surgery.

• Do not bathe your pet for 10 days.  Sutures are usually absorbable and do not need to be removed.

Notify the Doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Your pet continuously licks at and irritates the incision.

• You notice any discharge, gaping, or swelling at the surgical site.

• Your pet refuses to eat or seems depressed after the first day home.

• There is a change in your pet’s general health.

THE NEUTER/CASTRATION IS A “ONCE IN A LIFETIME” PROCEDURE FOR YOUR PET.  MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE IT DONE RIGHT!

Note: This article is provided by Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital® for informational purposes only.