Neutering and Spaying One's Dog
The Benefits and Risks of Spay and Neuter Surgery
All owners should consider spay/neuter surgeries for their dogs. Benefits far outweigh the potential risks.
Neutering refers to the surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles, while spaying is the surgical removal of a female dog’s ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. The question isn’t whether these surgeries are safe or advantageous, because they are. The question is when they should be performed by a veterinarian.
Advantages of Neuter and Spay Surgery
The benefits of each type of surgery far outweigh any potential disadvantage. Unless one is a dog breeder, there is no reason for not doing these surgical procedures on one’s dog. These surgeries will prevent many unwanted pregnancies, behaviors and health problems. Specifically neutering will help reduce the risk of prostrate cancer, inflammation or infection of the prostrate gland, hormone-related diseases such as anal cancer, testicular cancer and unwanted roaming and sexual behaviors.
In females spay surgery will help prevent ovarian cancer, uterine cancers and infections, diabetes and epilepsy. It will help prevent unwanted pregnancies, which can have dire health consequences in older, female dogs.
Disadvantages of Neuter or Spay Surgery
There are no disadvantages. Most disadvantages cited are myths. The most common one is that neutering or spaying will contribute to a dog’s weight gain. This has been proven false. Weight gain is directly related to overfeeding and under-activity. Owners can control this by monitoring caloric intake, as well as giving the dog appropriate exercise.
The Consequences of Unneutering
Besides the unwanted health issues listed above, many other unwanted behaviors may surface as a result of not being neutered. These may include:
- Urinating everywhere on everything.
- Behavioral changes around mating season which may include humping anything, increased aggression and increased roaming.
- A loss of appetite.
- An increase in howling.
- The exudation of a foul hormonal smell related to sex hormones.
Many statistics are available that confirm this information. Statistics shown by Pawprint and Purrs, a nonprofit organization for fostering cat and dog health, showed that over sixty percent of unneutered dogs develop prostrate enlargement over the age of five. Also S.N.Y.P., an Oregon-based spay/neuter service, stated that every four out of five dogs hit by a car are unneutered male dogs, that were wandering around looking for a mate.
Timing and Surgery
Although considered a major surgery, neutering and spaying are relatively safe surgeries to have. Younger dogs do better and recover quicker than older ones. The ideal age is five to nine months of age. Prior to surgery, blood tests and radiographs may be done to confirm the dog’s health and readiness to undergo surgery. After the procedure, restriction of activity is advised for approximately five to ten days following surgery. No climbing or running should be allowed, and lots of rest is advised.
All dogs should be spayed or neutered as young as possible. Other than the risk of the surgical procedure itself, no other disadvantages are known. Pet owners can expect only positive health and behavioral outcomes from neutering and spaying.
