Tips on taking care of a neutered dog. Like all surgery, some care is needed after it is performed. The most common is that after 24 or 36 hours, the dog is fully recovered from anesthesia. Then, about 10 days after the operation, you should be recovered.
Of course, during those days they should be cared for and supervised, especially to avoid infections.
It should be ensured that the dog does not perform physical activity, or that it is something very moderate.
It is best to rest for a few days, but perhaps it is not so easy to achieve it, this is because at rest the healing will be much faster.
General care after castration:
- Place the dog in a clean and disinfected place.
- Clean your bed well so that when you get home you can rest without problems.
- Have medications for pain and inflammation. If the doctor indicates it, the administration of antibiotics will be necessary.
- Take care of the wound to prevent the dog from licking over it.
- Clean the wound very carefully by washing your hands well and using the appropriate, clean and sterilized materials. This prevents the wound from becoming infected. It is advisable to do it twice a day.
- The dog and the wound should be monitored frequently, to prevent early infection or damage to the points.
IMPORTANT TIPS AFTER NEUTERING A DOG
- Keep the dog alone in a quiet place, for at least the first 24 hours after the operation.
- Avoid walking when you get home and during those first few hours.
- After a week after the operation, the dog can move and walk freely, but avoid making quick movements. You must not run or jump yet.
- When starting the daily walk, it is better to do it on a leash, this way you will better control your movements and prevent the dog from having the desire to run away.
- After surgery, the dog cannot bathe or get wet with anything. The wound must be completely dry for at least the first days.
- If the dog does not have enough appetite when he gets home, it is normal. Offer little food and water. The next day you should be hungry as usual.
DO NEUTERED DOGS HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE?
The care of a dog is part of the day-to-day life of its adopters and, one of those cares, is the control of its reproduction.
Dogs when they reach a certain age, they begin to be able to reproduce and if it is not controlled or planned, it can get out of control.
Important:
Always follow the instructions of the veterinarian. Remember that each dog is unique and may need different care.
Undoubtedly, that would only imply that every day more dogs are on the streets or abandoned.
That is why many adopters consider, with the support of the veterinarian, to use some contraceptive methods in their dogs.
Also, there are others who prefer more powerful or safer methods: castration.
WHAT IS CASTRATION?
Neutering is a surgical procedure in which the dog’s testicles are removed or removed.
In the case of females, it is the removal of the ovaries and uterus, but this intervention is known as sterilization.
GENERAL EVALUATION, PRIOR TO CASTRATION
Castration is an operation, and for that reason it is required that the corresponding steps that any operation needs previously be followed. Of course, this is done by a vet.
GENERAL EVALUATION BEFORE SURGERY
When taking the dog to the vet, the specialist will most likely perform or order some tests.
Likewise, the dog will be given a physical evaluation to make sure that it is in perfect health to undergo castration.
Similarly, the veterinarian should perform a pre-anesthetic examination of the dog to identify if there are any problems that may increase risks with the provision of anesthesia at the time of surgery or with surgery in general.
With this, the presence of anemia, liver diseases, hypoglycemia, among others, can also be detected, which also prevent or delay castration.
When it is verified with the results of the analyzes that the dog is completely healthy, it is possible to proceed to schedule the day and time to do the castration surgery.
But if the dog has any medical problems, it is necessary for the vet to perform a new evaluation and new tests. This can determine whether or not the dog can have the surgery.
TAKING MEDICATIONS
It is not enough to carry out the tests but it is necessary that the doctor knows everything about the dog and that includes knowing if he takes any type of medicine or not.
If the dog does take any type of medication, it is necessary to inform the doctor during the pre-neuter evaluation.
That way, the adopter will know how to act with his dog and the medicine for the day of surgery.
One option may be to give a lower dose of the drug to the dog, or simply not give it on the day of the operation.
That decision can only be made by the veterinarian.
ASSIST ON AN EMPTY STOMACH
After carrying out all the physical and blood tests, and once it has been verified that everything is fine, it is time to start the planned surgery.
However, first, the doctor should tell you that the dog should attend fasting. This is to prevent vomiting during surgery.
On the same day of castration, you must keep him without food and water.
In case the dog eats something or drinks, the adopter must notify the doctor because the date could be postponed, as long as the doctor considers that it is the best for the dog.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE DAY OF THE CASTRATION?
Once it is confirmed that the dog is completely fasting for surgery, two important steps will be followed:
Anesthesia:
Once the neuter date is planned, before starting the surgery, the first thing the doctor will do is apply anesthesia to the dog.
The vet knows the best anesthesia.
Also, the doctor, during the process, will have full control over the dog’s breathing, its heart rate and the oxygen that will be administered.
When the anesthesia fulfills its function of sleeping the dog, the doctor will proceed to clean the area where the incision will be made.
It will cover the area and shave the area, so the area will be clean and free of possible hairs that can contaminate.
Start the surgery:
Now it will be time to start the surgery, making the cut in front of the scrotum, very close.
The vet will locate the testicles, and through the cut, he will propel them.
All bleeding will be controlled and it will be completed with a suture.
Then we will wait for the effect of the anesthesia to pass and the dog to wake up.
Once the dog is well and stable, he can go home to rest and recover.
After surgery:
The veterinarian is the only specialist who knows well how to take care of your dog, therefore, he will ensure at all times that the procedure occurs without any complications.
In addition, he will also ensure the care of the dog after the procedure, prescribing medications that can relieve pain, and indicating how it should be cared for so that the dog improves quickly.
There are some pet hospitals, which after a neuter, prefer that the dog stay the whole night for observation.
The next day the dog will be ready to go home, but at other times it only takes a few hours to get home.
ADVANTAGES AND REASONS OF NEUTERED DOGS
Neutering a dog, although it is a surgical procedure, has many advantages.
Some advantages of castration are:
- Prevent the dog from getting urinary infections.
- The dog will be less aggressive.
- Dogs urinate a lot to mark their territory, but after neutering, it will be less.
- The sexual instinct will be noticeably reduced.
- Testicular cancer is prevented.
- The dog will want to spend more time indoors.
- Castration is an inexpensive procedure.
- The dog will not develop prostate problems.
- Prevents benign prostatic hypertrophy. Prevents its possible development.
- Cessation of testosterone production.
- It is an ideal measure to prevent tumors in the testicles.
DISADVANTAGES OF NEUTERED DOGS
Neutering is not perfect, because although it has its advantages, it also has some disadvantages.
Some disadvantages of castration are:
- You could develop hyperthyroidism.
- Dermatological problems.
- You will be at higher risk for hip dysplasia.
- Although it is unlikely, a problem could occur in the surgery.
- It is irreversible. The dog will not be able to reproduce.
WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED AGE TO NEUTER A DOG?
It is recommended that dogs be neutered from the age of 8 weeks.
Of course, as already mentioned, it is important that the dog is healthy in order to neuter it, otherwise another option or method must be chosen. The veterinarian will be the only one in charge of issuing that diagnosis.
As for dogs that are adults, they can also be operated on, but it is important to know that this can increase the risks during the procedure, that is, the more adult the dog is, the risks will increase.
TO CASTRATE OR NOT TO CASTRATE A DOG?
Although neutering is a simple procedure with very low risks, it is not an easy decision to make.
Many adopters are constantly wondering whether or not they should neuter their dog.
Although the decision is difficult, it is easier to make it knowing its many advantages that we detail above, which become reasons to choose castration.
Deciding whether to neuter a dog or not is not a decision that is taken lightly, it is something that must be thought about, analyzed and decided together with the veterinarian because many dogs cannot be neutered due to some health problem , among others.
On the other hand, there is a very strong reason to choose neutering, and it comes from the large number of abandoned dogs that exist around the world.
The reproduction of dogs in many places is uncontrolled.
In this case, castration is an effective method to control the overpopulation of dogs that exist.
But if the adopter wants his dog to have offspring, it is important to plan everything so that his puppies have a place to live.
GENERAL CONCLUSION
When the adopter of the dog still does not know what to do, it is best to go to the veterinarian, who will be the trained professional to talk to him about castration, its advantages and disadvantages.
In addition, you will be able to clarify all your doubts regarding this very complex issue for many.
That way, they can decide whether or not the dog should or should not, may or may not, go through that process of neutering.
The veterinarian is very important in this decision process, because in the end the responsibility falls on him that the process is a success and that the dog has good health and well-being.
If the dog is healthy and his health is not compromised by neutering him, a wise decision can be made.
On the contrary, it is better to give up the idea, and together with the veterinarian, look for another option to avoid its reproduction.
There are many alternatives to castration.