We call the removal of the testicles and epididymis castration. This halts the seed production and the hormone production. In the past, castration was often used in males to ensure more fat deposits. At the beginning of the last century it was believed that dog fat had a preventive effect on tuberculosis. Nowadays fixedration is more often used to suppress unwanted behavior of a male.
When to castrate?
As soon as a male is an adult, he can in principle be neutered. If there is no compelling reason to do it, it is not necessary. Castration can be a solution if there is undesirable behavior. This could be, for example: excessive fierceness towards other males, unsustainable in bitches in heat, certain prostate ailments, chronic inflammation of the foreskin or so-called “riding” on other dogs or people.
If the dog shows aggression towards other dogs, it is wise not to wait too long before neutering. This behavior also becomes a habit and will therefore decrease less quickly after castration.
How does it work?
The male will usually have to be taken to the vet in the morning. The dog is then still sober. He may not have eaten, drinking is allowed. The vet will then check the dog for good health. For example, the heart is listened to in connection with the anesthesia. It depends on the weight of the dog how much anesthetic will be used. Sometimes gas narcosis is used.
Once the dog is under anesthesia, some fur will be shaved from the area between the penis and the scrotum. After that, the area will be carefully cleaned and washed. Then a small incision is made through which the testicles are pushed out. Then the vas deferens and blood vessels are tied off and the testicles, including the balls, are removed. Finally, the incision is closed with a few stitches. These stitches will be removed by the vet after about ten days.
After castration
What to do after castration? Actually nothing. On the day of surgery, the dog may still be a bit drowsy, but the next day the dog will probably be back to normal. However, it is important not to let the dog lick the wound too often. This can then ignite. A tool to counter this is, for example, to put a T-shirt on the dog. You can also get a collar at the vet so that the dog cannot reach it.
After neutering, the dog can calm down. It is not the case that the dog of a very active dog suddenly becomes very drowsy. As long as you remain as active as before, the dog will also remain active, but most likely a bit more relaxed. Neutering is no guarantee that the dog will also become much calmer.
Because a dog is more likely to gain weight after neutering, it is advisable to reconsider the amount of food that is given. They convert the food more easily into fat after castration. Give diet food or less food after castration.
Advantages and disadvantages at a glance:
Benefits
- The dog becomes less overbearing and therefore less likely to fight with other males. The risk of testicular cancer has disappeared.
- The disappearance of behavior such as running away when bitches are (or have been) in heat nearby.
- The disappearance of behavior such as a lot of sniffing, drooling and licking the urine of bitches.
- It prevents peri-anal gland tumors from recurring in 90% of cases. These are around the anus (not the 2 anal sacs).
- Usually the foreskin inflammation disappears. This is a purulent inflammation of the foreskin, which is present in every male.
- It does not prevent prostate cancer, but the chance of a common benign enlargement of the postate does. This often occurs in older dogs from the age of 5.
- Aggressiveness towards other dogs can be reduced, but neutering is not always the solution.
- The dog will be less likely to constantly mark its territory in and out.
- Reduce the “lines” on other dogs, pillows and people.
Cons
- An anesthetic is part of the operation and this always involves risks.
- The dog converts food into fat more easily and is therefore more likely to be overweight.
- Neutered males may find each other attractive and therefore ride each other.
- The coat can become thicker, which means it takes more time to maintain it.
- If the neutered male was already a bit scared, this can get worse. The behavior can turn into anxiety aggression.
- Urinary incontinence may develop. This is because the male hormones are no longer there. Incidentally, this can also occur without castration, but at an older age.