The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering an Older Dog
Spaying and neutering dogs isn’t just about population control, and it isn’t something just done to puppies, either. Many people are not aware that when spaying or neutering is done before disease develops, these surgeries can prevent several forms of cancers as well as pyometras (uterine infections), prostatic disease, prostatic enlargement and a variety of different behavior problems.
Although veterinarians usually prefer to spay and neuter dogs when they are young, neutering or spaying older dogs, or any age dog for that matter, can be done with some careful planning. The benefits for senior dogs differ from those experienced by puppies, but many good reasons exist for doing it, including to prevent some cancers and infection. Unfortunately, I have also had to perform these surgeries on senior dogs on an emergency basis after a health problem has emerged.
A lot of people often wonder if it is still possible to get their older dogs neutered. Neutering is generally performed when the pet is younger but it is also not uncommon to do it on dogs that are of more advanced age. While there may be possible side effects to the procedure on an older pet, there are many instances when it’s the right course of action to take, especially when used as a treatment for a condition or to prevent illnesses.
Another thing that can cross your mind is if it is indeed possible to have your dog spayed while they’re in heat. Spaying dogs in heat might sound uncommon, but it actually is not a unique case.
Dogs are expected to experience complete recovery within 10-14 days from the time the procedure has been performed. The rest period must be strictly imposed at least for the first few weeks, pet parents have to be extremely careful with overly active dogs as they may delay the healing process as a result or worse, could experience complications.
So, if you’re an owner of an older dog that has to go through neutering, make sure to shower them with extra TLC. You may also need to coax them to eat after surgery and they may also need you to get them up or down the stairs after the procedure.
When it comes to older dogs, neutering is no longer just done as a plain solution to population control. Most people aren’t aware that there are instances when neutering is done before any disease develops to help prevent the condition from developing into something more life-threatening. For instance, neutering can be effective at preventing certain forms of cancer among canines including prostatic diseases, uterine infections, prostatic enlargement, as well as a whole host of behavioral issues.
Can a 7 year old dog be neutered?
In the hands of a competent veterinarian, however, most senior dogs (generally, dogs are considered senior at approximately seven years of age) can be safely spayed or neutered. Age alone, without an overall assessment of the senior dog’s health, should not be used to rule out the surgery.
When Is It Too Late To Neuter A Dog?
Because we were able to catch it early, he successfully underwent a neutering procedure; the cancer has not metastasized, and several years later he still lives a very comfortable and active life. So yes, you can neuter an older dog—with a happy and healthy outcome!