by Jenny Sheriff BVM&S MRCVS
Deciding whether to castrate your dog: Pros & Cons
Castrating or neutering a male dog is an operation requiring a general anaesthetic. Both testicles are removed. As with all operations, the advantages and disadvantages should be considered carefully before deciding. Your own vet is the best person to advise you about your particular dog, but the following general advice may also help.
The main advantages of castrating a male dog are the prevention of breeding, prevention of testicular cancer, reduction in the risk of prostate problems (including prostate cancer) and modification of certain behaviours.
Only behaviours which are related to male hormone levels will be improved, so castration is never an alternative to proper socialisation and training. For example, a tendency to escape and run away will improve if your dog is chasing the scent of a bitch in season, but not if your dog is just untrained and wilful. An aggressive dog can be improved by castration if the cause is related to his male hormone levels, but not if your dog has not been well socialised and is afraid of people and other dogs.
The main disadvantages of having your dog castrated are the risks associated with any general anaesthetic and any operation, but these are very small risks when compared to the potential benefits.
Dog owners often ask whether their dog’s character will be changed by castration. In my opinion, it is unchanged unless it is a change for the better (as in certain behaviours mentioned above). Another common worry is that a dog will become overweight and lethargic after castration, but this is 100% preventable with the correct diet and exercise.
Deciding when to castrate
The best age to castrate depends on the reason for doing so. If it is a planned procedure, it might well be carried out at 9-12 months of age; if your vet is happy that your dog is physically mature enough. Where dog castration is advised for behavioural reasons, it might not be obvious until 1-2 years of age that there is a need for it. When castration is carried out later in life, the positive changes might not be quite so great, but your dog is never too old to castrate if there is a medical reason for it, like a testicular tumour.
Dogs with one or both testicles not descended
During development, the testicles move down from inside the abdomen into the scrotum. Usually both will have descended into the scrotum by the time a puppy is seen for vaccinations at around 2 months of age. If one or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum, this will need to be checked later.
If either or both of the testicles stays inside the abdomen, they will be at greater risk of developing cancer in later life, so castration is usually advised. The operation to remove an undescended testicle is a more complicated operation than removal from the scrotum. (see The Operation). A dog which has one undescended testicle is called monorchid. If he has two undescended testicles, he is called a cryptorchid.
Read: Ask a vet online: my dog only has one testicle down, what is the best age to have him neutered?
Before the operation
Your vet will want to check that your dog is in good general health, is the correct weight and has two fully descended testicles in the scrotum.
Another important way of minimising risks is by taking a blood test before the anaesthetic. This could be done on the day of the operation or a few days earlier. This is used to check the liver and kidney function (both vital when dealing with anaesthetic drugs) and to rule out any unsuspected illnesses.
Before going to the surgery
Before any anaesthetic the dog should be starved for a number of hours, according to the instructions of the surgery. Having an empty stomach prevents any problems with vomiting which could be dangerous. It is also a good idea to allow your dog enough exercise to empty the bladder and bowels. Apart from that, it is best to stick as closely as possible to the normal routines of the day so that the dog does not feel anxious.
Being admitted for surgery
On arrival at the surgery, you can expect to be seen by a vet or a veterinary nurse who will check that you understand the nature of the operation and will answer any questions you may have. They will ask you to read and to sign a consent form for the procedure and ask you to supply contact phone numbers. This is very important in case anything needs to be discussed with the owner before or during the operation.
Before the anaesthetic
Your dog will be weighed to help calculate the dosages of drugs and given a physical examination including checking his heart. If a pre-anaesthetic blood test has not already been done, it can be done now and the results checked before proceeding. If any abnormalities are found, these will be discussed with the owner before deciding whether the operation goes ahead or not. One possible outcome is that extra precautions such as intravenous fluids may be given.
A pre-med, which is usually a combination of several drugs, will be given by injection. This begins to make the dog feel a bit sleepy and ensures that pain relief will be as effective as possible.
The anaesthetic
There are several ways in which this can be given, but the most common is by an injection into the vein of the front leg. The effects of the most commonly used drugs are very fast, but don’t last for very long, so a tube is placed into the windpipe to allow anaesthetic gas and oxygen to be given. The anaesthetic gas allows the right level of anaesthesia to be maintained safely for as long as necessary.
Various pieces of equipment will then be connected up to monitor the anaesthetic. This is a skilled job which would usually be carried out by a qualified veterinary nurse. Apart from the operating table, the instruments and the anaesthetic machine, a lot of specialised equipment will be on “stand by” in case it is needed.
The area where the surgical incision is to be made will be prepared by clipping and thorough cleaning to make it as close to sterile as possible. The usual site of the incision for castration is not through the scrotum but just in front of it.
The operation
While the dog is being prepared for surgery as mentioned above, the surgeon will be “scrubbing up” and putting on sterile clothing (gown, gloves, hat & mask). The surgical instruments will have been sterilised in advance and are opened and laid out at the start of the operation.
The operation involves removal of both testicles. They are removed by cutting carefully through the skin just in front of the scrotum, and through the various layers which cover the testicle. The very large blood vessels and the spermatic cord have to be tied carefully before cutting, allowing removal of the testicle. The layers are then closed up with sutures, which may be visible on the surface or may be buried. Further drugs can now be given as needed.
If one or both testicles are not in the usual place, the operation to remove them is more fiddly. Occasionally a testicle can be partly descended so that it lies in the groin area, and can be removed in a similar way to a normal testicle but through a separate skin incision. If the testicle is still lying right inside the abdomen, it can only be removed by opening up the abdomen, which is a much bigger operation for your dog and needs a longer recovery time. These testicles are often abnormally small, so can be hard to locate as well.
When the operation is finished, the gas anaesthetic is reduced and the dog begins to wake up. He will be constantly monitored and the tube removed from his windpipe when he reaches the right level of wakefulness.
Recovery
Your dog will be placed in a warm kennel with soft bedding and watched closely during recovery. Most dogs will feel very drowsy at first and will take most of the day to sleep off the effects of the anaesthetic. Your dog will only be allowed to come home when he is awake enough to stand and walk unaided.
After-care
Full instructions should be given by the surgery concerning after-care, including when your dog can be offered food and water. The most important things would be to check the appearance of the wound, to prevent your dog from licking it (with a plastic bucket-collar if necessary) and to limit his exercise by keeping him on the lead. Any concerns of any kind should be raised with the surgery.
The scrotum is not removed during surgery, so it can appear at first as if nothing has been removed, especially if there is a little swelling after the operation. However, the scrotum will gradually shrink as time goes by. If you are not sure whether the amount of swelling after the operation is normal or not, always telephone your surgery for advice.
Any medication supplied should be given according to the instructions. Pain relief can be given by tablets or liquid on the food. Antibiotics are not always needed but may be supplied if there is a need for them.
Usually, there will be stitches in the skin which need to be removed after about 10 days, but sometimes these are concealed under the surface and will dissolve by themselves. Your surgery will arrange an appointment for any follow-up checks that are needed.
The effects of castration can take a few weeks to be seen. If your dog is being castrated to prevent breeding, it is important to realise that he may still be fertile for a while after castration.
If all goes to plan, your dog should feel quite normal within about 1-2 weeks of the operation, or a little longer if the testicles were internal.
Click here for information on the bitch spay operation – female dog neutering
You may also be interested in;
- Does neutering dogs cause cancer?
- Why do dogs hump?
- Is my dog in heat?
- Is there another way of birth control rather than neutering?
- Pet Neutering Implants – Could They Be For My Pets?
Discussion
I adopted a dog in December 2023 who was neutered in November 2023. In January and in February 2024, he has had a period of about a week or so where his scrotum has become swollen and red, and his behavior changes as well. He is more hyper, less willing to listen to commands, he jumps up on me and others and he’s overall just more pushy and less willing to respect boundaries. The one time I tried to get a closer look at that area he got wild zoomies and jumped on me at full speed while I was on the couch. Is there anything that might explain this (like possibly only one testicle was removed?) or do you think it’s a coincidence/based on him being uncomfortable and itchy down there? He is a shar pei/pit mix & I know they’re prone to allergies. He is 1 year old & very hyper but generally very sweet and willing to listen aside from these periods that last around a week or so.
I’d be inclined to think that this is due to some sort of site complication – as you say, allergic skin disease is definitely more common in these breeds and their crosses. What you’ve said doesn’t really sound hormonal (although with a 1 year old, it’s not impossible!). If it seems to hae settled down now, I’d raise it as a potential issue with your vet next time you see them; if it flares up again, I;d get a vet check to see if there is some grumbling underlying issue.
My French bulldog, 11 months old, just got neutered today, a few hours ago. He keeps whimpering. We live about 45 min from the vet. When we got home he tried to poop and out came some diarrhea and some red blood. Should I be concerned? He’s laying down now but the blood scared me. It’s not on the post-op things to look for and also the vet is closed and my only option over the weekend will be the Emergency ER that is crazy expensive. Should I freak out?
Sleepiness and disorientation are normal after surgery, and diarrhoea is pretty common too, but bloody diarrhoea isn’t really a normal thing. It can happen, but not what I’d expect. In most cases it will be fine, it’s just the effect of the diarrhoea, and 9/10 that’s what’s going on here; however, there can be more serious issues such as bleeding problems, and so I’d be inclined to play it safe and call the ER practice to ask for advice. Hopefully, it’s nothing – good luck!
If you plan on castrating what is the best age to do it? I have two 4 month old Labradoodle brothers. They both weigh 25lbs .
Once they reach skeletal maturity – for a medium-breed dog, that would usually be at 12-18 months, but as Labradoodles are a cross-bred, it’s not quite as predictable.
My mom’s 9 year old male chihuahua marks everything ALL THE TIME. He can also be slightly to quite aggressive when not given his way eg, telling him to move to another spot or trying to pick him up. Otherwise he’s learned in this last year since my dog and me moved in to help mom to be a sweet and friendly dog. He was previously only social w mom. We believe he was very mistreated when he was a pup and only trusted mom since then. My spayed bitch is the 1st female he’s met and he’s ALWAYS after her for sex as if she’s in heat 24/7. I’m concerned about having him spayed at his age as I lost a 3 year old dog years ago during the process. Mom who’s 99 would be devastated if anything happened to him. His vet charges nearly $400 opposed to a much more affordable spay neuter clinic. Any advice please?
Castration is a very straightforward process and the risks are much lower than for a spay (essentially, everything is easily available outside the body wall, so it’s a much less invasive procedure). However, at his age, I would be suggesting additional services – pre-op blood and probably intraoperative fluids, and an ultra-cheap spay/neuter clinic might be less able to provide that or the necessary aftercare for an older dog.
Behaviourally, it will almost certainly reduce his libido (although it won’t be instant – it will take 6-12 weeks for his hormone levels alone to settle down, let alone any learnt behaviours which may be permanent).
My only concern is that this might be fear-based aggression, which can be worsened by castration. It might be worth getting a clinical animal behaviourist involved before taking an irrevocable step, if the aggression is a problem.
Alternatively, there are now contraceptive implants on the market that have the same effects as castration with much lower risks, that you could chat to your vet about.
So, I think that the first step would be to have a chat with your vet and see what the options are!
Has anyone ever had a healthy 2 year old get neutered and then pass a few days later? Also anyone have one that seemed ok then had bloody diarrhea? We have reached out to the vet and didn’t receive much help so now have our other vet sending him for autopsy. Completely devastated
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that!
Some diarrhoea after surgery is not that uncommon, but bloody diarrhoea is really abnormal.
Definitely get a post mortem done and see what comes back – and please let us know what was found.
My beautiful Shih – tzu boy is not going to be used for breeding or operated on just loved and cared for . .
What’s the best anaesthetic after castrating
Talk to your vet on that one! All anaesthetics have pros and cons.
I have two rescue brothers that will have surgery the same day ,they have never been separated and I bought after surgery body suits for them ,should I separate them for the first 7 days ? They are too big for my tiny house so we built a big porch for them half covered and half open and also have a fenced dog run for them
Ideally, yes, because otherwise there’s a very good chance they’ll lick each other’s surgical wound and set up and infection!
My cockapoo pup was castrated 9 days ago, he swelt really badly and has been up three times to get checked. He is still quite swollen, is this normal? He is 10 months old .
A fair amount of swelling isn’t uncommon in very active boys (!), although licking or rubbing at the wounds can cause issues too. If the vets are happy with how he’s doing, then I wouldn’t be too worried: the swelling will go down and the scrotum will remodel in time. If he’s still swollen 2 weeks after surgery, a final check for sign-off would be wise, but if its not bothering him it probably won’t be anything to worry about.
I have a 17 month old Australian Shepard, he was just neutered, will his sack shrink or stay flappy
It will probably shrink a little (the scrotal size is maintained in part by the pressure of the testicles inside). However, it won’t disappear: he will probably have a small empty flap of skin for life.
I have a 3 year old blue heeler, it looks healed this is day 5. Can the cone come off?
Ideally not; it takes about 7 days at best for the skin to completely seal under the surface, and if he licks at the incisions it could still set up a secondary infection, even this late.
If you’re going to take it off for a bit, make sure he’s under supervision whenever he hasn’t got it on, so he can’t start licking!
My 2 yr old cockapoo was neutered 4 days ago & has been healing well, with slight swelling in the scrotum. Tonight he managed to lick the wound while I was downstairs. He now has a dark red patch next to the incision & his scrotum is dark red also
Is this internal bleeding or just bruising?
Should I be worried?
This might be bruising, but if he licked, it’s most likely to be a wound infection – I would advise ringing your vet to talk to them, as they may need to see him again.
Hi, my dog is now in day 9 of recovering from being neutered, the healing has been fine and he’s worn a cone for the whole process. Today there seem to be 2 red/dark swellings either side of the incision. I’ve read so many reviews that this can be part of the healing but also possibly an infection. He’s not off his food, it’s not weeping, doesn’t smell, he’s his normal self, not bothering him at all. Has anyone else experienced this.
That could be bruising coming out, or a sign of a complication – it’s impossible to say for sure without examination. Personally, I’d say its unlikely to be anything nasty this late on, but I couldn’t rule it out either. Your vet will probably do a free or reduced price post-op check so you can get this looked at by a vet nurse or a vet, so it might be worth just getting it checked… Good luck!
My 2year old brown lab retriever was castrated 2 days ago. He was eating yesterday until the evening and then he didn’t want his food. I tried 3 different kinds. This morning he ate again and when we went outside, his stool was black (like tar). He ate and drank during the day, but this evening again he refused to eat. When outside again, his stool was black again. He is drooling constantly and i am very concerned. Should I be? Further he is lethargic.
Black tarry faeces mean he needs to see a vet ASAP – it can be due to bleeding into the bowel. This is an uncommon side effect of anaesthetic medications, but whatever the reason, get him to 5e vet as soon as you can.
My dog ( central asian shepherd or formally known as a alibi) got castrated yesterday all he has done since he has come home is whine consistently is this normal or does this suggest he is in pain. I have given him his pain medication but doesn’t seam to stop him whining so pain to don’t seam to be the cause. I would be great full for some advice and a cause for it so I can calm him down as nothing so far seams to be working.
That does suggest post-op pain to me, although it could also be a prolonged recovery from anaesthetic, I’d say that’s less likely after 24 hours. Time to call the vet and report the issue, as it sounds like he needs a bit more pain relief.
I had my new male yorkie steralised to see if his behaviour will change. He is lifting his leg all over my house, marking everything constantly. He only lies on my feet at home and follows me everywhere. But as soon as I tell him no, or he is in my way and I want to pass or any type of reprimand, he becomes very aggressive and bites me when I try and tell him its okay. He is just so opposite to my yorkie girls, will he calm down later, he is 2yrs old, and will he stop lifting his leg? My carpets are ruined. But I really want to give him a great loving relaxed home. He growls all the time, even when I am kissing him, his tail wags, and some days he is so gentle. Just so frustrated. I know when his growls are just chatting to me, but he has a nasty side to him. Ive had him 6 weeks now.
Castration is unlikely to change his personality, and in terms of behaviour, it depends what his motivation is. If he’s being aggressive due to anxiety, it can even make matters worse. If it doesn’t change or if it worsens, definitely talk to your vet about a referral to a clinical animal behaviourist who may be able to help you both.
A1 year old dachshund has become aggressive toward me but not my wife. For instance last night my wife and the dog were sleeping on the couch. I came downstairs and he began growling while I approached the baby gate. I talked to him as I approached and finally let him smell me but he would not stop growling until I walked away and then he started whining as he went back to my wife. I don’t get it. Durring the day he loves me and plays with me etc. I call him our psycho dog.
Whatever the reason, it will doubtless make sense to him! Sometimes dogs do get very attached to one person; it can help for the other person to spend more time with them, or be the main person to feed them, for example. However, if he’s being aggressive, I would suggest a referral to a clinical animal behaviourist for a proper assessment – the relationship can almost certainly be repaired, it’s a question of exactly how best to do it!
I never knew that castrating or neutering a male dog is an operation requiring a general anesthetic. I have no idea about it but now I think I do, it is really a good article. Thank you for the information about pet spay surgery.
I have a 1 year and 3 month old cockapoo. He was castrated on the 1st December. I took him to the vets today (08/12/2021) for a check up and they said he is still quite swollen and to put some Sudocream on to help sooth his wound. The bruising was really bad bless him, however, we made sure he wasn’t licking by putting him in a surgery suit when we weren’t around and at bed time. The Vets advised I could take him on a short 10 minute walk to stretch his legs, however when I did this he would walk for 5 steps and put his bum down and repeated this for the whole walk. Could this just be because it’s uncomfortable? He hasn’t done this since putting the cream on and now all of a suddenly just started. Or could it be because it’s nice and cool on his backside? Should I be worried (naturally I am hence why writing on here for some advice?) thank you
It does sound like it might be because it’s uncomfortable; that said, the discomfort and swelling will normally resolve in about 10-14 days. If it continues though, or worsens, it would be worth contacting your vet and asking if anything else is needed.
I appreciate it when you said that your vet will want to check that your dog is in good general health, is the correct weight, and has two fully descended testicles in the scrotum. We just bought a pet dog. My sister suggested having it pet desexed. I will find the best vet in town a pet desexing job.
My dog was castrated last Friday 11/12/21. He is 7months old and he weighs around 18 pounds.
My husband and I were supposed to pick him up on Saturday 11/13/21 at noon, however, the vet told us she was worried because he was not able to pee, so she decided to remove the internal stitches and loose them a little, also she placed a catheter so they could extract all his urine.
We picked him up Saturday at 5 pm, the Dr. said they cut part of the urethra on the surgery but that with the post-procedure they did he was going to be ok… We were hoping that Barnie started to act normal now, at least with his ability to urinate, however, he only dribbled the whole time, drop by drop, we never saw a stream of urine.
Sunday morning 11/14/21 we took our puppy to the emergency room for immediate assistance, since he could not walk and I could tell he was on pain and very lethargic, the new vet placed a new catheter on him and said, she needed to keep him overnight again to see his reaction to the new medications and other sedations… Since Sunday around 3 pm, my little pup has had a catheter on so that way he does not retain any urine.
They are going to take the catheter out this afternoon, and just wait that Barnie can pee on his own without having a catheter on… I am praying so much for my little guy, all my husband and I want is for him going slowly back to normal.
Any suggestions on what to do with this situation? I would appreciate any possible advise or comment from someone that has gone through this with their pets or maybe another veterinarian out there?
I would sue the vet that did that to your dog. That is well bad practice. Your dog is suffering and who knows what else can happen.
Accidents do sometimes happen. The immediate response being “sue them” isn’t always helpful.
This is really sad – it’s a very uncommon complication to the surgery but it does very occasionally happen. In most cases, he will be very sore for a few days and might have quite a lot of bruising, but that will heal. So too wioll the urethra: the catheter will prevent any scarring causing a narrowing or stricture, so I would expect him to make a full recovery, poor little guy!
My 6 month old male Shiba Inu was neutered 3 days ago, his wound has been itching a lot but he´s wearing his cone so that´s been covered 🙂 One thing we’ve noticed is that he´s afraid to go number 2 ( we think it hurts when he pushes idk ) and he is also very uncomfortable because of the itching… we hope time progresses to a wonderful recovery 🙂
My dog was castrated 1 1/2 weeks ago and his scrotum is swollen. It wasn’t before . We check his incision daily and he wears a cone, incision is good. Just noticed last night his scrotum is swollen and still swollen this morning. I’m worried. He is eating and going to the bathroom fine and his nose is wet and cold. lol
Some swelling in the 48-72 hours after surgery is quite normal from bruising and local tissue trauma. However, 10 days on I wouldn’t be expecting that: I’d strongly suggest having a chat with the vets where the procedure took palce as this isn’t a usual complication. It’s probably nothing, but occasionally we can see significantly delayed infection.
My dog is 15 and was castrated a few weeks ago. For the last few days he has wet himself will sleeping , he has never done this before.
That can happen occasionally after surgery, but will usually resolve fairly soon. If not, give your vet a call.
My 7 month old dog got castrated today and he semes to be scraping his bits along the carpet. We’ve put him in a recovery suite the vets recommended as he doesn’t get on with anything round his throat. Will him scraping it afect it healing? He hasn’t been sleepy at all. he just wants to be running and jumping around so we’ve literally had him with us all day to avoid this. (his a crazy little fella, nothing seems to stop him from playing around).
It would increase the risk of wound infections; it might also be because of some post-operative soreness. The recovery suit that covers his scrotum will help to protect it, but I would advise contacting the vet, letting them know, and talking about his pain relief.
My 2 year old dog (indie mix) was neutered 5 days back his scrotum is peeling and some foul smelling discharge is there. As the cone we bought happened to not fit him well ie smaller than needed the vet asked us to cover it up in a cloth which is what we have been doing. he is very ichy there so the doctor prescribed Neosporin. what is causing this please help.
That sounds like a wound infection, probably because, unfortunately, he was able to get round the cone and lick. It sounds like definitely time to go back to the vet and get it checked; if there’s a lot of discharge it probably needs more potent medication, and maybe even surgical revision to get the infected tissue out.
My 2 year old Cavachon male has a small brown lump on his testicle. Vet unable to diagnose without taking a sample. Lump is mobile and not attached to any underlying structure. Advised he has a full castration and scrotal ablation and sample sent for histology. Is this extra surgery more invasive and necessary or would regular castration be okay? Will it take longer for him to recover?
If it’s on the surface and mobile, then scrotal ablation is definitely the best way forward, as it’s presumably getting its blood supply from the scrotal skin or the vaginal process, not the testis itself.
Our cockpoo has just been castrated a week ago we try and stop him from licking his wounds how long does he have to wait before he’s allowed to lick down there plus when can we start taking him to the park kind regards sue brett
Usually the skin will have completely healed over 3-4 days after the stitches come out.
Regarding exercise, we’d usually say restricted exercise from stiches out, and then unrestricted a week later.
However, this depends on the exact technique the vet used, so I’d suggest you double check with them at his stitch removal appointment. Certainly no unrestricted exercise or licking until then!
How long does the castration operation take? We have had our dog castrated recently and he has had a reaction to the tube in his throat during the operation How long does it take for the adverse reaction to subside He starts to gulp repeatedly and then it builds up to severe bouts of gagging these last for a few hours which is distressing for the dog and us (vet gave us Metacam). I know it is difficult to equate a time but a rough idea would suffice on both counts. The vets wants us to take the dog to a teaching university for an endoscopy Could this cause further damage to the throat area and we have been told it can be up to two thousand pounds! for a diagnosis. If it was found the trachea is damaged through the operation there is a possibility for a further operation/s and again possibly very expensive and possibly prolonged recurrence What advice can you give
Serious airway injuries following intubation for any surgery are really uncommon – I can’t recall the last time I saw anything worse than a bit of a cough for 3 or 4 days post-op. After that time, any minor bruising will have resolved and most dogs go back to normal Castration is a relatively fast procedure (everything we’re after is immediately available just under the skin, after all), but how long it takes depends on a wide range of factors, including the patient and their risk factors, the surgeon and the support team and how fast they work. A general ballpark figure might be 30 minutes, but this will vary a lot.
If there is any more serious injury, though, endoscopy of the larynx and trachea are almost always the best thing to do: it’s very very unlikely to cause any further damage, and it will allow the surgeons to get some idea what they’re dealing with. Without that information, it’s very hard to decide whether this is something that just needs medication and will heal on its own, whether surgery is needed, or whether there’s something else going on.
Good luck with him!
I have a 4yr old standard long haired Dashund who up to now has been very placid and seemed well socialised with other dogs recently he has become very aggressive towards male puppies and un neutered dogs so much so I will not let him off the lead anymore ,our vet felt no need to neuter earlier on as he was so calm and friendly and we were not sure as up to now no issues is there any guarantee neutering him would be the answer to his aggression .
No guarantee at all, and it might make it worse if it’s fear-based. I think the best bet would be to talk to your vet about a referral to a qualified canine behaviourist – when you know what the cause of the behaviour is, it’s a lot easier to decide how to manage it.
Wow! I taught my dog needs to be at least three months before been castrated.
Now I know better just have to wait a little longer.
It can be done younger, but there are more risks.
Thank you for a beautiful article. My two, nearly two years old dogs were castrated on 18th December so I could give st least two weeks post op care. I decided to go ahead after I read your article several times. That and the questions and comments were so helpful in helping me decide. I live in a part of the a world where they leave dogs intact. So asking the vet was not as helpful due to their views. However, having an intact female in the house and the pups mother of was the sensible thing to do.
The pooches were OK all through so we put cones on immediately as there is no way they won’t lick or take out stitches. I just kept the two who were operated on, separate overnight from the intact dogs as they may help them to take out the stitches.
Stitches came out at day 10 post surgery no issues at all. The dogs seem to sail through and they didn’t seem to be different in their activities after Day 3.
Cones off and their incisions have healed. Their sacks have shrunk too. So I am hoping they will disappear over time.
Next dog is papa he is five years so I think a longer recovery for him. But necessary as mama fights to get to him during heat. Have a few months yet just n
Only thing I have noticed so far is the reduction in marking outside and less displays of dominance between the males.
Thank you for the article and to those who posted their many questions it does help wade through it all.
One of my dog’s testicles is swollen, it seems hard and the swelling comes and goes. The other testicles looks very small when the other is swollen. He does not seem to be in pain but his testicles were brownish before, now have become pink. He is 3 years old, should i get him neutered if these are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
Get him checked out by your vet sooner rather than later – this certainly could be a testicular tumour, but other possible causes include orchitis or epipdidymitis.
We took in a stray and decided to take him to the vet for all his shots and to get him neutered. His procedure was on Thursday, Sept. 10th. All day up until about 4pm Friday I noticed he was constantly licking the site. My vet called for a follow up, I let him know and he suggested the collar. I put the collar on, he was able to get it off a few times afterwards (turns out I was not putting it on him the right way) and at this point licking it some more. He unfortunately was not prescribed any post medication. All day Saturday was a struggle for him. He isn’t crying, but you can clearly see he is uncomfortable. He will get up to walk and immediately sit back down because his incision either hurts or itches. When going to pee he will walk out onto the grass and feel again more discomfort and lay immediately down and never actually use the restroom. All day Saturday he has not been able to pee. I think he may have late late Saturday but it was dark and could not see if he had or not. Is this normal?? It’s so easy to feel like everything I see him doing is cause for concern. I just want to know if this much discomfort is normal 2 days after the procedure. Thank you!
No, that isn’t usual – my suspicion would be that he’s got a bit of an incision infection probably from licking. Definitely back to the vet.
I would like to know the name of drug inject in vein of the dog to sleep before castration?
There are a lot of anaesthetic agents in use worldwide; the most common is probably propofol, although alfaxalone/alfadalone is increasingly popular; and in some parts of the world thiopentone is still used.
Hi
Thank you for your article.
We have a 14 months old rescued dog. Seems a mix of pit and lab. We got him when he was a puppy. Decided to neuter him 7 weeks ago. Ever since the operation he has strugled every time he pees. He cries, walk bakwards, has no pressure and drips urine. The vet has done, ecogram, blood test, urine test and everything seems ok. He just completed 2 weeks of corticosteroids (dexamethasone) 4 days ago. The situation improved with the treatment, but today while walking him he went to pee and again was whining. I’m worried the problem is coming back. Question: is it possible that they may have damaged the urethra or the bulbouretral gland during the operation? Any ideas what the issue could be? Any advices? I’m not trusting my vet and planning to see a different one.
Thank you.
It’s very hard to say – but I think a second opinion or, even better, a referral to a urology specialist might be a good call at this point.
I am considering chemical castration (implant) for 6 months before final decisions for surgical neutering of my 9 month GSD. Our vet has agreed but suggested I research potential side effects – can’t find anything specific online – is this a recognised procedure now?
Yes it’s a really common protocol. The implant contains deslorelin, which essentially tricks the brain into stopping making the hormones that regulate testicular activity (FSH and LH). Without these hormones in the bloodstream, the testicles shut down.
The normal effects are a gradual reduction in sexual behaviour and significant shrinkage of the testicles, over about 8-12 weeks after implantation. Occasionally, dogs show increased sex drive for the first few weeks before the implant takes effect. When the implant wears off, the testicles grow back to their usual size, and behaviour returns to normal, although it may take a while before fertility is restored. Side effects are very rare, the only common ones reported are a swelling at the implant site.
You can read the full datasheet, including side effects, on the NOAH website, search for the active ingredient “deslorelin”.
I hope that helps!
I have a 3 year old Rottweiler that has some aggression issues. He is trained and for the most part a great dog. We know the triggers and avoid them. We are planning on getting him neutered soon but is 95 lbs and we are concerned with after care as he will not be able to wear a cone and also we would not be able to apply anything as his under carriage is a trigger area. What options would we have
That’s something to talk to the vets and nurses at your practice about, but perhaps a pet T-shirt might be suitable? The trouble is that any licking of the wounds is likely to cause wound infections, and if you can’t get near the area, then an infection would be difficult to manage. I’d strongly advise talking to your vets about the different options – in terms of the surgery and the aftercare.
Dear, I have a poodle age about 12 years old now. He has both testicles undescended with one growing bigger than the other. I’m worry that this might end up cancer. I’m planning to bring him for blood test this few days. If everything is fine with the result, the gas anaesthetic would be the safest way for the surgery? Or no surgery would be be the best for him at this age. Please advice. Thank you.
A rapidly growing internal testicle in a dog of that age is a common sign of testicular cancer, although there are other possibilities. If he is otherwise fit and healthy and the blood tests do not show any other problems, there would usually be no reason why he couldn’t undergo surgery. However, your own vets will need to check him over and make sure there are no problems; they will then be able to advise you on the most appropriate anaesthetic drugs. In general terms, injectable anaesthetic followed by maintenance with gas and oxygen is usually the anaesthetic of choice for this type of procedure; however, your vets will be able to put together an anaesthetic plan for him as an individual, based on his particular requirements.
Hello l have a 7yr old male chihuahua who seems to have an enlarged prostate and as a result is currently constipated so therefore castration is inevitable at this point. With the castration procedure when they remove the testes do they then remove the prostate? Not sure what occurs but would like to know the procedure If possible.
Hi Vicky, the prostate is not removed, only the testes – this usually helps solve the problem!
I have very active 11 month old large breed dog I had him neutered on Tuesday. He has blood still dripping from his scrotum everything looks good maybe a little swolled. I have put something on them to hold hold his scrotum . I’ve gone to the vet the night he had it done I’m not getting no help what should I do What should I do
Hi Connie, you really need to go back to your own vet, and explain your worries. They are best placed to deal with any concerns, so please give them a call.
I appreciated your studied and want to understand at 2-3 months castration of a dog can be done?
In some veterinary practices, that is correct. The advice is always please speak to your own vet, as they know your animal and the medical history, so are best placed to discuss options.
I appreciate you helping me learn more about dog castration. I have a male labrador and we don’t know how and what to do with him. He is already turning 9 months this week and I have seen here that it should be done at 9-12 months of age. I guess I better bring him to a veterinarian to be sure about it.
Hello Joy, definitely have a chat with your vet and discuss the options. Ultimately it’s your decision, but they are best placed to chat through everything with you.
My jack Russell X Yorkie is booked in for next week and he’ll be around 10½ months.
my dog was neutered when he was 8 mths old and I had a call from the vets to say he had to stay overnight at the pet hospital because he was losing a lot of blood and had to be stiched up twice.also as far as I know had a blood transfusion .I never got an explanation and he has been fine since althougth I sent him to kennels,on his release from the hospital for a few days to recouperate because he couldn’t run around with my other dog in case the stitches burst .can you tell me what could have happened there and also he seems to have a week bladder could this be anything to do with the operation hes 2/3 years old now.
Hello, unfortunately it is difficult for us to comment on what could have happened as it could be any number of things. Please do call your vet to discuss this further though if you’re worried, especially if it’s still on your mind after all this time. They will be happy to discuss this with you, and have access to his clinical records and so will be in a position to tell you accurately what happened.
Hi,
My 6 month old male puppy had his neuter surgery couple days ago. Had his check up at the vets today and everything was fine. I was given a cone collar for him to wear until stitiches will be removed, he keeps pulling it off so we have kept it off and just keep an eye on him making sure he doesn’t iritate and infect the insision. He is starting to feel itchy there, i bought some anti-itch cream for dogs from a pet store but should i ask the vet first before applying it (I forgot to ask at checkup visit at the vets) or is it ok to put a bandage over that area to stop him biting/licking the area? Thanks.
Hi Debbie. I’d recommend just giving your vet a quick call to check they’re happy with the cream – I’d avoid anything going directly on the wound itself however. Bandages are also quite difficult to apply to this area, and dressings can often make the area more irritable where they stick to the skin. It can be difficult to keep their wound protected following surgery! You may find a different type of collar (you can get inflatable ‘comfy’ collars to go around the neck) is better, or you can also get body suits that protect areas. Have a quick chat to your vet or nurse and they’ll be happy to recommend what they think is most appropriate for your little boy.
My 3 year old male American bulldog was desexed on Friday he has been fine one bout of diarrhoea should I continue with the 3 day antibiotics ? Also he has a bucket on how long would you suggest he keep it on
Hi Heidi. I’d definitely recommend finishing the course of antibiotics that your vet prescribed. With the collar, it’s normally a good idea to keep it on for around 7 days post-op, to allow the wound to heal without any patient interference! If you’re due a check-up with your vet or vet nurse soon, I’d ask them what they think, as they’ll assess his wound and let you know how well it’s healing.
Is it normal for my puppy not to wee after his operation for castration yesterday
Hi Lucy. The operation shouldn’t have affected him in this way, although he may be a little uncomfortable and so may be reluctant to get up and go out to the toilet – all dogs react differently. I’d recommend giving your vet a call, as they may want to do a check-up just to make sure there’s nothing else causing this.
Hire cars Staffordshire bull terrier and she’s got molana I can’t afford to take her to the vets and she needs to be sterilised can get help
Hi try the PDSA if I’m not too late with my suggestion.
Hi Tracey. I’d recommend giving your local vets a call to discuss this in more detail. There are likely to be ways they can help, including working with charities who offer financial assistance for things like neutering. Your vets will know what’s available in your area and will be happy to guide you.
Please can you help me with tips on how to locally castrate my dog.
Hi Jonah, you can get done this done at your own vets, you’ll just need to give them a call and they’ll be able to arrange everything with you. If you’re not registered at a vet practice yet, we’d recommend chatting to friends or family who have pets and may recommend one, you can also take a look on the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) website, as they have a ‘find a vet’ facility which would also help you.
My dog was castrated before I got him from the rescue centre, however we have noticed that he still appears to have his testicles as they appear from time to time. Should this happen??
Hi Dawn. His testicles shouldn’t appear and disappear, even if he hadn’t been castrated, so this may be something else you’re seeing. We’d recommend giving your vet a call and explaining what you’re seeing, and whereabouts, and they’ll be able to advise you as to what they think is happening and whether or not he needs to be seen.
very helpful. a simply explained process. Thank you
P.S He is a Cavalier King Charles spaniel
Thanks again
P.S He is a Cavalier King Charles spaniel
Thanks again
Hi. My dog was castrated just over two weeks ago. The day after coming home, he developed very runny stools which turned into just blood. I took him to the vets, he was given a variety of medication! He seemed to improve over a few days. Although his stools are a lot firmer, he still loses spots of blood and will do it anywhere as he can’t seem to hold it. Friday he had his stitches removed, vets checked him over – took his temperature and said he’s fit and healthy, and that it’s rare that this could be a reaction to anaesthesia. Is this something that will clear? Or is it a case of going back to basics.
Thank you
Hi, some pets will have a reaction to anesthesia in this way however there are many different anaesthetic drugs used in veterinary practice today so it’s hard to say specifically. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can cause problems in the gastro-intestinal tract and therefore shouldn’t be used in your dog if he has vomiting or diarrhoea. If he’s still passing blood in his stools it’s sensible to approach your vet again and see if you can get to the bottom of it. Best wishes
Hi. My dog was castrated just over two weeks ago. The day after coming home, he developed very runny stools which turned into just blood. I took him to the vets, he was given a variety of medication! He seemed to improve over a few days. Although his stools are a lot firmer, he still loses spots of blood and will do it anywhere as he can’t seem to hold it. Friday he had his stitches removed, vets checked him over – took his temperature and said he’s fit and healthy, and that it’s rare that this could be a reaction to anaesthesia. Is this something that will clear? Or is it a case of going back to basics.
Thank you
Hi, some pets will have a reaction to anesthesia in this way however there are many different anaesthetic drugs used in veterinary practice today so it’s hard to say specifically. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can cause problems in the gastro-intestinal tract and therefore shouldn’t be used in your dog if he has vomiting or diarrhoea. If he’s still passing blood in his stools it’s sensible to approach your vet again and see if you can get to the bottom of it. Best wishes
Hi,
My puppy was neutered today and I see two incisions. One near the scrotum, standard neuter. The second us at the head of his penis. Why would this be done?
Thanks
Hello Danalea, that’s difficult to say as it’s unusual… it’s best if you speak to the practice as they will have all the surgical records to hand.
Hi,
My puppy was neutered today and I see two incisions. One near the scrotum, standard neuter. The second us at the head of his penis. Why would this be done?
Thanks
Hello Danalea, that’s difficult to say as it’s unusual… it’s best if you speak to the practice as they will have all the surgical records to hand.
I recently lost my beloved Collie/Spaniel to Prostate Cancer. My own vet would not accept my thought it was cancer as we had had him castrated at six months. All the symptoms were there and we eventually took him to Bristol Vet College who confirmed Prostate Cancer. They told us a dog castrated at this age was MORE likely to suffer prostate cancer. I have read widely on this cancer and more recent studies are supporting this. Respectively I believe your reasons for castrating which suggest lessening the potential for Prostate Cancer should be challenged as our sad loss suggests.
I recently lost my beloved Collie/Spaniel to Prostate Cancer. My own vet would not accept my thought it was cancer as we had had him castrated at six months. All the symptoms were there and we eventually took him to Bristol Vet College who confirmed Prostate Cancer. They told us a dog castrated at this age was MORE likely to suffer prostate cancer. I have read widely on this cancer and more recent studies are supporting this. Respectively I believe your reasons for castrating which suggest lessening the potential for Prostate Cancer should be challenged as our sad loss suggests.
Hi, I have 2 staffies, male (9 years old) and a female(10 years old). I had the female neutered at an early age but I’ve never had the male done. Recently the male has been getting very randy around her at anytime. Should I get the male neutered and will this help this problem?
Regards
Philip
Hi Philip, often when people try to fix behavioural issues with neutering they’re disappointed. Behavioural issues can become habitual and therefore it’s the mindset that needs to be adjusted as well. However, castration might well help any issues related to hormones and therefore I recommend that you take your dog to see your vet. They will examine him and decide if there is any medical reason for this change as well as helping you to devise a plan to overcome it. Best wishes.
Hi, I have 2 staffies, male (9 years old) and a female(10 years old). I had the female neutered at an early age but I’ve never had the male done. Recently the male has been getting very randy around her at anytime. Should I get the male neutered and will this help this problem?
Regards
Philip
Hi Philip, often when people try to fix behavioural issues with neutering they’re disappointed. Behavioural issues can become habitual and therefore it’s the mindset that needs to be adjusted as well. However, castration might well help any issues related to hormones and therefore I recommend that you take your dog to see your vet. They will examine him and decide if there is any medical reason for this change as well as helping you to devise a plan to overcome it. Best wishes.
Will castration make our BEARDIE more nervous than he is already near traffic/loud noises? Plus will his coat become more dense/thicker?
Hi Catylou, behavioural changes after castration may result where a bahaviour is associated with hormones. It’s hard to say without knowing more about your dog’s specific fears and personality. A vet and a behaviourist combined might be able to shed better light on the situation for that reason. They can take the time to fully understand your dog’s way of thinking. I would guess that there’s much that be done to help alleviate your dog’s fears since they seem quite specific and therefore time taken to work through them with a behaviourist would be time spent well regardless of your decision to castrate or not. As for coat quality, it has been reported that coat quality can be affected however you can supplement the diet to assist with this. Whether to castrate or not depends on a number of factors, there are many benefits to castration as I’m sure you’ve read in our blog. For this reason, it’s a very individual decision and therefore discussing the matter with your vet is the best way forward. Best wishes.
Will castration make our BEARDIE more nervous than he is already near traffic/loud noises? Plus will his coat become more dense/thicker?
Hi Catylou, behavioural changes after castration may result where a bahaviour is associated with hormones. It’s hard to say without knowing more about your dog’s specific fears and personality. A vet and a behaviourist combined might be able to shed better light on the situation for that reason. They can take the time to fully understand your dog’s way of thinking. I would guess that there’s much that be done to help alleviate your dog’s fears since they seem quite specific and therefore time taken to work through them with a behaviourist would be time spent well regardless of your decision to castrate or not. As for coat quality, it has been reported that coat quality can be affected however you can supplement the diet to assist with this. Whether to castrate or not depends on a number of factors, there are many benefits to castration as I’m sure you’ve read in our blog. For this reason, it’s a very individual decision and therefore discussing the matter with your vet is the best way forward. Best wishes.
Hi I have a staffie when he has the operation will he will left with a sack so you can still tell he is a male
Hi Sarah , on occasion a vet will recommend ‘scrotal ablation’ where the scrotum is removed, in particular in older dogs when it can be more ‘established’. It wouldn’t normally be routine to do so in a younger dog. It really depends on the individual and it’s best talked through with your vet. Thanks for getting in touch.
Hi I have a staffie when he has the operation will he will left with a sack so you can still tell he is a male
Hi Sarah , on occasion a vet will recommend ‘scrotal ablation’ where the scrotum is removed, in particular in older dogs when it can be more ‘established’. It wouldn’t normally be routine to do so in a younger dog. It really depends on the individual and it’s best talked through with your vet. Thanks for getting in touch.
I have two border terriers. Is it best to get them both done at the same time. I don’t mind looking after them post surgery together.
Hi Snips, talk through the matter with your vet who will likely know your dogs a little better. Having them both done at the same time might mean that they’re both quiet after the op and therefore one isn’t bothering the other who’s trying to recover. It might mean double-trouble with two buster collars in the house (at least they’re fairly small dogs) and checking that they’re not bothering their wound. It could be good to get it all out of the way, I guess it’s about you weighing up the pros and cons… Best of luck with it all!
I have two border terriers. Is it best to get them both done at the same time. I don’t mind looking after them post surgery together.
Hi Snips, talk through the matter with your vet who will likely know your dogs a little better. Having them both done at the same time might mean that they’re both quiet after the op and therefore one isn’t bothering the other who’s trying to recover. It might mean double-trouble with two buster collars in the house (at least they’re fairly small dogs) and checking that they’re not bothering their wound. It could be good to get it all out of the way, I guess it’s about you weighing up the pros and cons… Best of luck with it all!
Can you castrate a dog without the removal of the testicals?
Thank you.
Hi Malcolm, castration does involve removing the testicles and is a very safe and routine operation.
Can you castrate a dog without the removal of the testicals?
Thank you.
Hi Malcolm, castration does involve removing the testicles and is a very safe and routine operation.
5 month old shih tzu male puppy is it too young to have castrated as dont want him getting sexually active
I bought a Shih Tzu and was told by a couple of vets that they should be neutered right before they turn six months old. Mine turns six months on June 19, and his neuter operation is on June 12.
Hi Gemma, Dogs mature at different speeds with small breeds tending to mature a little faster. Vets can have different ideas on what age it is sensible to castrate a dog at and it’s worth listening to the reasons behind why they opt for a certain age. Often vets wouldn’t opt to castrate a dog younger than 6 months but this is too young for many and the decision is based on the examination of the individual. Are they mature enough physically and mentally, have both testicles descended, is there a medical or behavioural reason to wait etc.? This is a decision best made between you and your vet. Best wishes
5 month old shih tzu male puppy is it too young to have castrated as dont want him getting sexually active
Hi Gemma, Dogs mature at different speeds with small breeds tending to mature a little faster. Vets can have different ideas on what age it is sensible to castrate a dog at and it’s worth listening to the reasons behind why they opt for a certain age. Often vets wouldn’t opt to castrate a dog younger than 6 months but this is too young for many and the decision is based on the examination of the individual. Are they mature enough physically and mentally, have both testicles descended, is there a medical or behavioural reason to wait etc.? This is a decision best made between you and your vet. Best wishes
I have a 3 year old collie neutered on Wednesday I have been applying ice as instructed but the swelling has not gone down but rather seems to be increasing the sac seems to be at least double in size (size of my closed fist) is this normal and will it go down soon ?
Hi Lindsay, that sounds like a reasonably large swelling and since it has been continuing to grow in size, I would take him to your vet for a check-up. Best wishes
I have a 3 year old collie neutered on Wednesday I have been applying ice as instructed but the swelling has not gone down but rather seems to be increasing the sac seems to be at least double in size (size of my closed fist) is this normal and will it go down soon ?
Hi Lindsay, that sounds like a reasonably large swelling and since it has been continuing to grow in size, I would take him to your vet for a check-up. Best wishes
Thanks helpful information.
Our dog is 51/2 months & was operated on 1 week ago, how long until he should walk downstairs into the backyard, what is the risk of infection.
Lee
Hi Lee, it really depends on the individual, I am assuming we’re talking about routine dog castration surgery. We aim to reduce movement at the operation site for example by leaping and jumping so that he may heal internally and externally. Therefore if we’re talking about a small dog whereby the stairs pose a reasonable obstacle then it’ll probably be better to carry him up and down for another few days. Keep a close eye on the wound itself as well, it should be healing over nicely by now. If it’s showing any sign of infection (redness, swelling, discharge, lethargy etc), please have it checked by your vet and take steps to prevent further damage e.g. keep your dog on restricted exercise and prevent him licking/scratching the area. If the wound is healing without complication and your yard is clean and dry, then it would be unlikely that you’d introduce infection in your yard, however it’s always best to keep a close eye on these things. As with many things, the vet who has examined your dog and carried out the operation is really the best person to advise you on post operative care so my response is a fairly general one. Hope you find this helpful. Best wishes
Thanks helpful information.
Our dog is 51/2 months & was operated on 1 week ago, how long until he should walk downstairs into the backyard, what is the risk of infection.
Lee
Hi Lee, it really depends on the individual, I am assuming we’re talking about routine dog castration surgery. We aim to reduce movement at the operation site for example by leaping and jumping so that he may heal internally and externally. Therefore if we’re talking about a small dog whereby the stairs pose a reasonable obstacle then it’ll probably be better to carry him up and down for another few days. Keep a close eye on the wound itself as well, it should be healing over nicely by now. If it’s showing any sign of infection (redness, swelling, discharge, lethargy etc), please have it checked by your vet and take steps to prevent further damage e.g. keep your dog on restricted exercise and prevent him licking/scratching the area. If the wound is healing without complication and your yard is clean and dry, then it would be unlikely that you’d introduce infection in your yard, however it’s always best to keep a close eye on these things. As with many things, the vet who has examined your dog and carried out the operation is really the best person to advise you on post operative care so my response is a fairly general one. Hope you find this helpful. Best wishes
My dog is coming up a year and was castrated 6 days ago . He has started wearing round the house big puddles as if he has been holding it for ages . He will do it even thou there are mats in the house which he is used to . Is it just a case of going back to basics with praising him . Is it come ted to the op ?
My dog is coming up a year and was castrated 6 days ago . He has started wearing round the house big puddles as if he has been holding it for ages . He will do it even thou there are mats in the house which he is used to . Is it just a case of going back to basics with praising him . Is it come ted to the op ?
Many thanks, good to know we could have options. GERARD
Many thanks, good to know we could have options. GERARD
Hi
We have a 9 yrs old Retriever (approx 35kg) not overweight and with a recent vet’s clean bill of health, but a complete dog (not neutered). His companion is a spayed 3 yrs old Chocolate Labrador (approx 25kg) and healthy. Periodically he gets very randy towards her, incessantly trying to mount her; we presume she gives off periodic scents even after spaying. Are there any options other than castrating our dog? Any medications, standard, herbal or otherwise?
Kind regards, GERARD
Many thanks
Hi Gerard, there are a few different options other than castrating your dog, from injections to implants – it really is best to speak to your own vet for advice as not all vets use or stock them. They may also have other suggestions as, of course, they know your animals too.
Hi
We have a 9 yrs old Retriever (approx 35kg) not overweight and with a recent vet’s clean bill of health, but a complete dog (not neutered). His companion is a spayed 3 yrs old Chocolate Labrador (approx 25kg) and healthy. Periodically he gets very randy towards her, incessantly trying to mount her; we presume she gives off periodic scents even after spaying. Are there any options other than castrating our dog? Any medications, standard, herbal or otherwise?
Kind regards, GERARD
Many thanks
Hi Gerard, there are a few different options other than castrating your dog, from injections to implants – it really is best to speak to your own vet for advice as not all vets use or stock them. They may also have other suggestions as, of course, they know your animals too.
Hi, my male shih Tzu is 7 month old and been neutered tomorrow. He is in need of a trip to the groomers but how long after the operation will he be ok to have his hair cut ..
Hi Mrs Bentham, he should be fine after the stitches are removed which is normally 10 days after the operation, or 10 days after they dissolve if the vet uses that type.
Hi, my male shih Tzu is 7 month old and been neutered tomorrow. He is in need of a trip to the groomers but how long after the operation will he be ok to have his hair cut ..
Hi Mrs Bentham, he should be fine after the stitches are removed which is normally 10 days after the operation, or 10 days after they dissolve if the vet uses that type.
I would like to castrat my 3 year old terrier. I do not drive and the vet is about a mile away. Would the dog be able to walk back from surgery? Or would I have to find transport.
Hi Brendan, transport would be best – a taxi or a friends lift ideally…
I would like to castrat my 3 year old terrier. I do not drive and the vet is about a mile away. Would the dog be able to walk back from surgery? Or would I have to find transport.
Hi Brendan, transport would be best – a taxi or a friends lift ideally…
my 8 month old doberman has just had his testicles removed from his abdomin but he has been vomiting blood for the last 2days also his stools are very runny and hhave blood mixed in,is there anything I can give him thanks
Hello Mark, please call your vet and have you dog looked at again. The operation and these new symptoms could be completely unrelated, but he needs to see a vet today as blood in vomit or faeces needs investigating. Please call them.
my 8 month old doberman has just had his testicles removed from his abdomin but he has been vomiting blood for the last 2days also his stools are very runny and hhave blood mixed in,is there anything I can give him thanks
Hello Mark, please call your vet and have you dog looked at again. The operation and these new symptoms could be completely unrelated, but he needs to see a vet today as blood in vomit or faeces needs investigating. Please call them.
My dog was castrated at 9 mths with good recovery. However he is 2 now and I have never seen his penis? Should I be concerned and could it be related to castration. He seems fit and healthy, but does often lick the area.
It’s definitely there! Male dogs actually have their penis covered by a sheath.
My dog was castrated at 9 mths with good recovery. However he is 2 now and I have never seen his penis? Should I be concerned and could it be related to castration. He seems fit and healthy, but does often lick the area.
It’s definitely there! Male dogs actually have their penis covered by a sheath.
My basset has just been castrated at 5 yrs old after he became growly and insecure following the death of our 2 beautiful newfoundland (old age) we have yet to see any change in him other than a very sore scrotum which still looks full :/ reluctant to take him back to the vets as he growled at him
My basset has just been castrated at 5 yrs old after he became growly and insecure following the death of our 2 beautiful newfoundland (old age) we have yet to see any change in him other than a very sore scrotum which still looks full :/ reluctant to take him back to the vets as he growled at him
My dog was castrated on Wednesday . His scrotum is red ,hot & swollen today. Should I be concerned?
Hi Jane, sometimes the sac does become red – however it’s best to call you vet for further advice, they might want to check him to be sure!
My dog was castrated on Wednesday . His scrotum is red ,hot & swollen today. Should I be concerned?
Hi Jane, sometimes the sac does become red – however it’s best to call you vet for further advice, they might want to check him to be sure!
By castrating a dog, can the dog become dull I.e it woun’t be active
By castrating a dog, can the dog become dull I.e it woun’t be active
Thanks for the article, told me all I needed to know without the embarrassment of having to ask 😉
Thanks for the article, told me all I needed to know without the embarrassment of having to ask 😉
At what age would you recommend neutering a large breed dog with one undescended testicle?
I rescued my dog a pitty age two and two weeks old. Had surgery at ACC of NY that same day he was bleeding the stich must have came out it get dripping he’s very will full. Didn’t take him back to ACC of NY, instead took him to vet in my neighborhood LIC,NY Queens. She cleaned him up gave him cleaners so after he urinated I would clean area so it wouldn’t get infected. Then was put on antibiotics and pain meds and another med. Plus a collar that was for a dog his size,they gave him a little dog collar which makes sense how he got to the incision. It’s almost a week or so later meds are finished by the way ACC of NY gave him only two antibiotics and one pain killer which I had to give him a few of my pain meds he was in pain. Know his collar is off but I read that the cut heals on it’s own left over. I read that he’s licking Will continue because of itch on scrotum was shaved and hair is growing so he wants to lick area because hair is growing is this true?
Yes, the licking can be caused by irritation following the hair re-growth on the shaved area.
Hi Sara, it is best to speak to your own vet about this condition as every case is different depending on medical history etc.
My 11 year old dog has blood in his wee the vet advised us to castrate him but we are not sure due to his age
It does depend what the cause is; however, age itself is not a significant risk factor in anaesthesia. Age tends to bring with it other health problems that may make an anaesthetic more risky, but with modern techniques, there are relatively few dogs that cannot be safety anaesthetised for a minor and rapid procedure like this.
An alternative approach might be to consider an anti-testosterone treatment such as osaterone tablets or a long lasting deslorelin implant, to have the same effect without surgery, so that might be worth talking to your vet about?
At what age would you recommend neutering a large breed dog with one undescended testicle?
Hi Sara we have gsp with same problem did go ahead with castration how long did take for recovery many thanks Charlie
Hi Sara, it is best to speak to your own vet about this condition as every case is different depending on medical history etc.
Does anyone know the length time a male dog stays fertile for??thanks scott
Does anyone know the length time a male dog stays fertile for??thanks scott
Information very clear and helpful, thank You very much Doctor!
Information very clear and helpful, thank You very much Doctor!
Can the testes be eaten after removal?
No, we would strongly advise against it, on the grounds of food safety. The anaesthetics and painkillers given during the procedure will be present in the testicular tissue, and will render it unfit (and probably unsafe) for human consumption.
Why do you tie the spermatic cord and blood vessel together?
To minimise the amount of foreign material (i.e. suture material) that could cause a reaction, a single ligature is placed around the spermatic cord – this is the structure containing the testicular artery and vein (which we REALLY need to clamp shut to prevent bleeding) as well as the deferent duct (also known as the vas deferens) and the testicular nerve and lymphatics. By using a single ligature into a pre-placed crush mark, we can prevent bleeding or ascending infection, and close off the vaginal tunic, while still minimising the risk of a foreign body reaction.
Your explanation is quite clear. But please can you tell us the length of the incision?
Your explanation is quite clear. But please can you tell us the length of the incision?
I habe a pit bull and i got him neutered seems like he still have his man hood still and i think they just tie him in side cause his man hood is turning blue ,are they post to tie them or take them out i seen videos of them taking them out.
I habe a pit bull and i got him neutered seems like he still have his man hood still and i think they just tie him in side cause his man hood is turning blue ,are they post to tie them or take them out i seen videos of them taking them out.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH I GET SOME THING
THANK YOU VERY MUCH I GET SOME THING