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The many benefits of neutering the male dog

 

HEALTH BENEFITS:

Neutering of the male dog (or castration) gives many important health benefits to the dog, one of which is a lowering of the incidence of prostate disease.  The prostate is a gland which sits in the dog's pelvis around the neck of the bladder, which, when it becomes inflamed enlarges and makes the passing of urine & faeces difficult and painful.  The bladder can become completely blocked resulting in urine retention & further pain.  If the prostate becomes cancerous it will quickly spread to nearby structures including the spine, eventually causing paralysis.

Some tumours that grow around the anus are hormonally dependent and their incedence is greatly reduced by neutering.

Another condition which neutering helps reduce is called a perineal hernia.  This means that organs such as the rectum or bladder break through the muscle which normally holds them in place and end up lying under the skin in a large pouch either side of the anus.  This is a very distressing condition, requiring major reconstructive surgery.

Disease of the testicles such as cancer and infection are completely prevented by castration.  Cancer of the testicles is not uncommon in normally developed dogs and nearly always occurs if one or both testicles are undescended.  Abscesses can occasionally occur in the testicles and the  nearby epididiymus and can be very difficult to treat, often requiring extensive surgery and prolonged courses of medication.

 

BEHAVIOURAL BENEFITS:

After castration dogs are less likely to roam and seek out bitches.  This obviously reduces the risk of injury (and expensive insurance claims) from road traffic accidents.  It also means fewer unwanted puppies born each year.  Aggression towards other male dogs is less likely to be a problem and a neutered dog is easier to train and less likely to try to dominate an owner.  Behavioural benefits are more likely to be seen if the operation is done at a young age.  There are no adverse effects - having a dog castrated will not change his basic character.

 

WHAT IS INVOLVED ?

The operatrion involves the removal of both testicles through an incision just in front of the scrotum; the incision measures about one inch depending on the size of the dog.  Major blood vessels are tied off securely and the skin is closed with hidden sutures.  Only limited post operative care is required although it is important not to allow the dog to lick the wound.  A post operative check is carried out at no extra cost approximately ten days later.

 

LIMITATIONS

Certain ingrained behaviour patterns are less likely to be improved by castration - these include serious aggression towards dogs and people, especially in dogs which are more than two years of age by the time the operation is carried out.  Aggression towards bitches is unlikely to be changed by castration, and the operation will not settle down a boisterous or lively young dog or one that destroys things when left alone.

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Castration will make a dog more contented and less likely to stray.

Diseases of the testicles, such as cancer and infection are completely prevented

The likelyhood of prostate disease, some tumours and perineal hernia is reduced

Castration will not change a dog's basic charater, it will not `break his spirit'

Neutering means a dog is less likely to get into trouble by straying.

The R.S.P.C.A. and other animal charities advise that dogs are neutered.