Neutering male dogs
Introduction
Male dogs reach maturity when
they are approximately 6 months old, and at this stage you may
find that they develop undesirable male traits. The aim of early
castration is to minimize the likelihood of potential undesirable
problems, and ensure your pet grows up to be a well behaved and
happy friend. It is a routine minor operation that can be carried
out in just a single day.
Why have him neutered?
Neutering will help prevent a
number of undesirable behavioural traits. Some behavioural
problems are more common in the entire male and these often lead
to territorial and dominance problems. These can also lead to over
aggression, which can severely disrupt the enjoyment you will get
from sharing your house with your new pet.
Neutering your dog is a sensible
preventative measure for a number of medical disorders such as
TESTICULAR TUMOURS, PERI ANAL TUMOURS, PROSTATIC DISEASE, HERNIAS
and RETAINED TESTICLES
(For further information on
testicular tumours, prostatic disease, peri anal tumours, hernias
and retained testicles, please ask one of our vets or nurses)
What do I do next?
At Andale Veterinary Centre we
advise that dogs are neutered from 1 year, but they can be
neutered from 6 months and your vet will advise you accordingly
Surgery is arranged by
appointment in advance, although this is not always necessary. You
will need to bring him to the surgery between 8.30am and 9.00am on
the day of the surgery, having been able to 'spend a penny' and
starved from 8pm the previous evening. He will then be examined to
assess his fitness for surgery.
We strongly recommend a pre-anaesthetic
blood test to assess his liver and kidney functions. This is to
ensure that your pet is fully fit and minimizes any risk due to
the anaesthetic. Please feel free to ask our staff for more
details.
What happens during the
operation?
30 minutes prior to surgery he
will be given a pre-med containing a painkiller and a sedative to
make him feel sleepy. After this has taken effect he will be given
an induction agent to control his breathing and the anaesthetic is
then maintained using anaesthetic gases.
The operation takes approximately
45 minutes. Pain killers will be given during the operation.
We ask that you telephone us
during the afternoon (around 3pm) to arrange a collection time,
usually after 4pm the same day.
After Care
When you take your dog home he
will need warmth, peace & quiet, and lots of tender loving
care, which is very important. For the rest of the day he should
only be offered fluids and if possible boiled chicken and rice or
bland food.
We will need to see him 2 days
after the operation to ensure that he has fully recovered, then
again 10 days after the operation to remove his stitches, where
applicable. During this time we ask you restrict his exercise and
walk him on the lead only. This is to avoid potential damage to
his stitches that would delay healing.
When you take him home you will
be given full details on looking after him. He may be sent home
with a collar to ensure he does not interfere with his wound.
Misconceptions, Myths &
Worries
- Neutered Animals are more
inclined to gain weight. This can be avoided by regular
weighing at the surgery and where necessary feeding a low
calorie diet or reducing their food intake by a third (Please
ask for further details regarding our Pet Weight Control
Programme)
- Personality Changes. Neutering
your male dog in earlier life (i.e. from 12 months old, or
younger in some cases) will improve his character by
minimizing aggression, reducing any sexual urges and dominant
nature.
NEUTERED ANIMALS WILL HAVE A
LONGER AND CONTENTED LIFE
If you have any further
questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Andale
Veterinary Centre on 0151 423 1388.
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