Neutering dogs
Bitch SpaySpaying, or neutering, involves the removal of the ovaries and the uterus (Ovaro-hysterectomy). Surgery can be performed from 5/2 months provided the bitch is not in season. However, if surgery has been delayed to after the first season, then the optimum time to spay is 3 months after the finish of the season.
Reasons for...
- The bitch will no longer come into season (no mess or inconvenience).
- She will be unable to get pregnant - so there will be no unwanted puppies.
- The risk of her getting a potentially life-threatening uterine infection (pyometra) is removed. This is common in middle aged entire bitches.
- The chances of her suffering from hormone induced mammary (breast) cancer can be reduced.
- Weight gain is always a worry as this in itself can cause problems. You can monitor your dog's weight either by observing or by having her weighed whilst she is in the surgery.
- All general anaesthetics involve some risks. The risk is smaller in young, fit animals than in older dogs (e.g. those that are ill with a pyometra).
Castration, or neutering, involves the surgical removal of the testicles and can be done in any male dog from around 8 months onwards.
Reasons for ...
- All male dogs have natural urges. Castration removes these and also the resulting tendency to roam and other undesirable behaviour.
- Some potentially life-threatening medical problems are more likely to occur in entire males e.g. hernias, prostate trouble, testicular tumours. Castration reduces or removes the danger.
- 'Their temperament changes for the worse' - This is not true. There is no change in the dogs' temperament, if anything they become more loving.
- Weight gain is always a worry as this in itself can cause problems. You can monitor your dog's weight either by observation or by having him weighed whilst he is in the surgery.
- All general anaesthetics involve some risks. The risk is smaller in young, fit animals than in older dogs (e.g. those that are ill with testicular tumours).