The Neuter Process
Although neutering is considered to be major surgery, it is one of the most common procedures performed. Before your dog is neutered, a veterinarian will perform a head-to-paw exam, and may also suggest bloodwork to make sure all of the vital organs are in order. Neuters are performed under general anesthesia, and may include a sedative and a pain medication. Once he is sleepy, he may receive an injection and/or gas anesthesia that will put him into a deeper sleep. During this time, he is not aware of what is happening and is feeling no pain. Your dog will be intubated during the procedure, meaning a tube, placed in his trachea, is connected to a machine that will help keep him asleep by administering anesthetic gas and provides oxygen to help him breathe. Some veterinarians may also place a catheter in the vein to allow for emergency treatments to be administered faster should they be needed, as well as to administer fluids and medications.
Your dog is also connected to machines that will monitor his heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen levels, and temperature and his vital parameters are also manually monitored closely by veterinary staff. The dog is placed on a warming pad on his back, to help maintain his body temperature, and the surgical area is clipped and cleaned. An incision is made just in front of or directly on the scrotum. Both testicles are removed through this incision and the stalks are tied off to stop blood flow. Once the vet confirms there is no bleeding, the incision will be closed. There are usually sutures placed underneath the skin, and sometimes in the skin, followed by skin glue, or tissue adhesive. Using skin glue adds additional reinforcement to help keep the incision together and may keep your dog from having to come back to have the sutures removed. Some veterinarians also place a small green tattoo on the abdomen after neutering, as a way to indicate that the pet has been neutered and to avoid unnecessary surgery. When the procedure is finished, he is woken up, the tube helping him to breathe will be removed and he will be closely monitored by the veterinary team until he is sent home.
What are the Health Benefits to the Dog?
There are several health benefits to dog neutering. One of the most important concerns the prostate gland, which under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog’s life. In age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection, which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance, thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true.
Other health benefits of neutering include the prevention of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Excessive preputial discharge is also reduced by neutering.
Will he Become Over-Weight or Lethargic?
Activity level and appetite do not change with neutering. A male dog should not gain weight or become less interested in activity post neuter.