Neutering dogs has always been controversial. There are those who totally agree and there are other people who find it cruel and even unnatural to perform this operation on dogs. But there is many reasons to opt for neutering versus spaying, with advantages that will make us lean towards this practice.
If you are thinking about the possibility of neutering your dog you have to think about many factors. It is better to find out about what are urban legends, what are the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the care we must take with the dog.
Differences between spaying and neutering
Although the terms are sometimes used to define castration, they are actually two somewhat different things. In both cases the dog cannot reproduce, which has the great advantage that we will not bring unwanted litters that will have to find a home or that will end up with worse luck in some cases. However, there is a big difference, and it is that when we sterilize a pet, its reproductive organs continue in place, producing hormones, while in the castration we remove these organs from the dog so that you also avoid some problems related to them. In the first case, the dog will continue to have the riding instinct and its sexual behavior. In the second case, that of castration, those instincts by which the dog is more aggressive at times, escapes and mounts females will end. In the case of bitches, it is up to the veterinarian to choose whether to remove the ovaries or the set of ovaries and uterus.
False myths of castration in dogs
There are many false myths around the issue of reproduction and castration in dogs that can make us doubt about this method or how to carry it out. One of the myths that is often heard is that the dog must breed at least once or must have a heat and then castrate it because it is the best for them. There is no scientific basis for this claim. Dogs have no need to breed or feel bad about not doing it, plus it is more positive that they do not go through their first heat. This reduces the risk of developing breast or uterine cancer in the long term, which is why today it is recommended to castrate bitches before the first heat.
Another of the myths of castration is that changes their character and behavior. In castration, the sexual hormones are canceled and therefore certain behaviors are cut to a great extent, such as certain aggressiveness in males that compete for females in heat, the need to mark is reduced or there are no psychological pregnancies in bitches. These changes are positive for the dog, but they do not always occur in all dogs, as some continue, for example, with attitudes such as marking. His personality never changes, and this is inherent in the dog. That is, if your dog is calm and patient, he will continue to be so, and if he is playful, too.
One of the myths that we always hear the most is the one that the dog is going to get fat. In castration, the metabolism can change something and the dogs calm down, but with a proper diet and daily exercise within their normal routine they do not have to gain as much weight as you think. It doesn't happen in all dogs, as many don't even have fattening-prone genetics.
Another myth that must be discarded is that of that the dog suffers. Neutering is done under anesthesia and the dogs do not suffer. If in the recovery they will be upset, but we will give them the medication prescribed by the veterinarian so that they heal as soon as possible and do not have a bad time. With proper care it does not have to be a difficult step for the dog.
When to neuter the dog
La Neutering the dog is recommended before the first heat. In bitches it is at five or six months, since it is when there is still no ovulation. However, it is best to consult your vet, as small dog breeds have heat earlier than large breed female dogs. In bitches you have to be more careful with this, because there is a big difference when it comes to neutering them before the first heat, saving them problems such as uterine infection, uterine or breast cancer. In the case of dogs, they are always castrated before sexual maturity to avoid marking behavior, territoriality or escaping.
Advantages and disadvantages of castration
Castration has more advantages than disadvantages, although we will see all of them to decide accordingly. In the case of bitches, castration has some good advantages, such as being reduces long-term breast cancer and eliminates the risk of pyometers or uterine infections, which can also end up being serious in bitches and condemning them to have to take antibiotics in every heat they have. They do not stop growth or gain excess weight, and of course we have the great advantage that we will not have to take care of unwanted litters to find adopters every time we neglect ourselves and the dog goes through a pregnancy, which also has its risks for them and for babies.
In the case of dogs we can also avoid in testicular cancer and prostate cancer to a greater extent. In addition, castration reduces some unwanted behaviors, such as marking, aggressiveness with other males, territoriality or escapes to look for bitches in heat.
Some of the disadvantages that can appear when neutering dogs is that in some cases habits change and they can gain weight, although with control this can be avoided. They can develop hyperthyroidism and are at risk for hip dysplasia and rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament.
Post-operative care
Una operated bitch needs more care than the dog, since in them the operation is more invasive and the scar is greater. You have to put an Elizabethan collar so that the stitches do not tear off and walk into the wound. We must give them antibiotics and follow the veterinarian's instructions, having their number on hand for any doubts and problems that may arise. In the case of dogs, recovery is faster, since the incision is minimal, although the care is similar.