Dog Castration - Factsheet

Castrating a dog is not such a common operation as spaying a bitch although in many cases it is still a good idea. However the decision to have the operation done needs careful consideration and before every operation we will discuss whether it is the best thing for your pet.

This fact sheet aims to give unbiased advice. It is not intended to encourage you to have the operation done, nor is it a deterrent. It is designed to give you information so that you can decide. We will be happy to discuss the matter further if you would like.

What are the advantages?

It reduces aggression towards other dogs in some cases.
It can reduce human:dog aggression if the problem is related to pecking order disputes
It reduces the tendency for male dogs to wander.
It can assist training by making the dog less dominant and more co-operative.
It greatly reduces the chance of prostate problems later on in life
It will prevent certain tumours from forming
It prevents embarrassing unwanted 'sexual activity' towards humans and inanimate objects such as cushions.
It prevents unwanted sexual activity towards bitches, and will stop the dog from becoming 'love struck' every time a bitch in season is around.
It will stop unwanted pregnancies. The RSPCA has to put down over 1,000 dogs a day because they cannot find homes for them.

What are the disadvantages?

Obesity
Male dogs have a tendency to put on weight, but this is entirely avoidable if the rations are reduced after the operation, or the food is switched to one that is more bulky and less calorific.
Lethargy
This is part of the folklore of castration! There is no evidence to suggest that it occurs. The probable reason is likely to be if the dog gets too fat to enjoy life to the full.
Surgery
There is no such thing as a completely safe anaesthetic. However by using human agents, and by monitoring the patient thoroughly throughout the operation then the risk is minimal. We do not feel therefore that it is a deterrent to surgery.

Castration will only stop hormone-related behaviour. It will have no effect on other aspects of your dog's personality.

What happens when he comes in to the practice?

Before any surgery we will discuss the matter thoroughly. We want to make sure that it is being done for the right reason, and that expectations are accurate.

In this practice...

Your dog will be weighed accurately.
You will be asked to see the veterinary surgeon, at which point a sedative and painkiller will be given.
We would like you to stay with him for about ten minutes whilst the sedative works so that it will help him relax and reduce any anxiety.
He will be operated on during the day, and returned to you in the afternoon.
One nurse will be assigned as the 'Key Nurse' and will look after both the patient and yourselves during the day. She will call you as soon as the operation is over to let you know how it went.
During his stay, he will have his own kennel and comfortable bedding, and will be let out to do his 'business' on regular occasions.
We will ask you to collect him later in the afternoon, and we will give full instructions about aftercare. We would like to see him again after two days.
One month after the operation we will invite you back for a check-up and to weigh him. As with humans, it is very difficult for dogs to diet successfully so it is better to avoid it happening in the first place.

The operation

We remove both testes. This stops him from being fertile, and removes the male hormone. This is not the same as a vasectomy which is the more usual operation performed in man. It would not be a benefit in dogs since the purpose of castration is to stop the male hormone and that is all that it does. This is why castration will only stop hormone-related behaviour. It will have no effect on other parts of your dog's personality.

Further information

We will always discuss the operation before it is performed. If you are not sure whether it would be a good idea for you dog then please call us and we will help you decide. We will only agree to do the operation if it is in the patient's interests to do so.