Cons to Desexing Your Dog Desexing prior to skeletal maturity can increase the risk of orthopaedic diseases such as hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament disease and elbow dysplasia.
Male dogs need to be desexed, especially if they are not breeding animals. The most important reason for doing this is the prevention of testicular cancer. Desexing a male dog also reduces his chances of getting prostate disease, as well as behavioural problems such as aggression, dominance, and marking territory.
So, in summary, desexed male dogs will be easier to keep home, more loyal, less prone to prostate problems, and less likely to be involved in fights. The only real reason not to desex a female dog is that she will be unable to have puppies. A common fallacy is that desexed dogs get fat and lazy.
Advantages of NOT desexing on behaviour:
There may be a decreased incidence of cognitive dysfunction in intact male and female dogs. This means less dementia and possibly less anxiety.
How old should I desex my male dog? Similarly to female dogs, we recommend that male dogs who will have an adult body weight of up to 20kg be desexed at 6 months old, but that larger breeds are left a little later.
A University of Georgia study, based on the medical records of more than 70,000 animal patients, found that the life expectancy of neutered male dogs was 13.8% longer and that of spayed female dogs was 26.3% longer.
Castration may make him slightly lazier, but don't expect it to have any effect on adolescent enthusiasm or rowdy behaviour either! If your dog has a behavioural issue, don't rely on castration as a “quick fix”. While it can help in some situations, it can make other problems much worse.
Health. Recent research suggests that neutering can potentially increase the risk of some health problems in dogs while it reduces the risk of others, and that earlier neutering (under 12 months of age) may be associated with an increased risk of some health problems compared with later neutering.
Waiting to neuter until 12-24 months allows your dog to reach full muscle maturity and develop a lean physique. Male hormones are more likely to increase your pet's energy and vigor.
It's a commonly held belief that desexing a puppy changes its personality. This is a myth. While your puppy's personality remains completely intact after a sterilisation procedure, desexing eliminates many behaviours that you won't want them to display.
Most dogs recover relatively quickly from neutering. A little wooziness is not unusual; post-anesthesia anxiety and fussiness is normal. Young dogs may want to return to play as soon as the same day. However, dogs should be kept calm for 10 to 14 days after surgery, or however long your veterinarian recommends.
In dogs, an incision is made in front of the scrotum, and both testicles are pushed through this single incision and removed. One incision is made over each testicle in the scrotum in cats, so the cat and dog incision areas look different.
Vets advise you to let your dog rest for up to 48 hours after neutering. Light short and slow walks just for them to do their business is fine until you bring your dog in for their 3-day check-up.
After they have been desexed, encourage your dog or cat to rest as much as possible to aid their healing process. Please limit their exercise and avoid any strenuous activity for example climbing stairs, jumping up and down from couches or beds, or rough play.
Benefits of Neutering (males):
Less desire to roam, therefore less likely to be injured in fights or auto accidents. Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated, and decreases incidence of prostate disease. Reduces number of unwanted cats/kittens/dogs/puppies. Decreases aggressive behavior, including dog bites.
After surgery their scrotums will be intact but devoid of testicles. Connective tissue and tied off blood vessels in the scrotum can sometimes look like testicles from a distance.
Most vets will agree to let you take your pet home if the following criteria are met: No complications arise during your pet's recovery. Your pet is there for the neuter or spay only and not for an additional procedure that may be more complicated.
While it's easy to pity a pet struggling with an e-collar, you must follow your veterinarian's directions and leave the cone on until you are directed to remove it. Usually, it takes about 14 days for the incision to completely heal.
Either way, it is very important that you limit your pet's movements during the 7 to 10 day recovery period, as strenuous activity, such as running, jumping or playing, could disrupt the healing process and even cause the incision to become swollen or open.
Excessive licking can irritate the incision site causing inflammation, leading to further infection, and will even cause it to reopen. Licking and chewing on the wound will also tear the sutures and require you to visit the vet again to close it properly.
Hormone-responsive incontinence: This occurs most commonly in female dogs though it can occur in male neutered dogs as well. This happens after the pet is neutered and may occur months or years after the actual procedure. It is more common in larger breeds of dogs.
Keep your pet confined where it will be quiet and warm. DO NOT place it on a bed or other high place. Keep your pet away from other animals and children for at least 12 hours. Offer water and food in very small amounts for the first 12 hours.
Do not allow your pet to lick, scratch, or chew the incision. If this occurs, an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) must be used to help prevent potentially serious post-operative complications. Male dogs and cats can still impregnate an unsterilized female up to one month after surgery.
Snuggle with your dog.
Sit in a place where your dog is allowed, like the couch or near his bed, and snuggle with him. Being close to you can help him as he recovers and heals after his surgery.
Hormone-responsive incontinence occurs in neutered dogs of both sexes but most commonly in female dogs. The pet can urinate normally, but they leak urine while resting. Hormone-responsive incontinence can occur months to years after a pet is neutered.