neuter surgery

Why Your Dog Should Have Neuter Surgery

Many dog owners have questions about the neuter surgery, what is involved, when is the best time to do it, side effects of the surgery, what it costs, as well as many more questions. In this article, we will address some common questions about dog neuter surgery.

What is a neuter surgery?

The word “neuter” is from the Latin word neuter, meaning the removal of an animal’s reproductive organ. The term neuter refers to both male and female animals. Other terms commonly used to describe neuter surgery are “castration” which refers to the removal of an animal’s reproductive organ in males, or the term “spay” or “spaying” for females. Other terms used to refer to neutering is “de-sexing” and “fixing”.

What are the benefits of getting your dog neutered?

Some of the most common benefits of neuter surgery include:

Neutering has many benefits but is not without controversy. For example, there can be an increase in obesity and potentially some types of cancer in dogs that are neutered. Learn more about some of this in this article by the Irreverent Veterinarian: To Neuter or Not to Neuter – What You Should Know.

Here is another good article – What Are the Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Pet?

What are the risks associated with neuter surgery?

The major risks are those of general anesthesia, post-operative infection, bleeding, and wound breakdown over the incision. Overall the complication rate is very low, but serious complications can result in death or the need for additional surgery.

How long is a dog in the hospital after neuter surgery?

Most dogs come to the veterinary hospital in the morning, have surgery and are released the same day or occasionally the day following surgery.

How do you take care of a dog after neuter surgery?

After being neutered, your dog may feel tired or groggy that night and for the first 24 to 48 hours. Most dogs are back to a normal attitude and appetite in 1 to 2 days.

Care post-neuter surgery care for dogs include:

Learn more about What Happens When a Dog Gets Spayed and about post-op care or What to Expect After Neutering a Dog.

When do you neuter dogs?

The best time to neuter is when your dog is young and healthy as opposed to when your dog is older and has life-threatening uterine infections (Pyometra) or prostate problems.

Neutering is most commonly recommended around six months of age. However, neutering is done in some situations as early as 6 to 8 weeks but can be done at any age.

Learn more about The Pros and Cons of Early Spays and Neuters In Dogs and Cats. Some studies may suggest that there are benefits of waiting to neuter. Learn more in this interesting article – To Neuter or Not to Neuter – What You Should Know.

What does dog neuter surgery cost?

The cost for dog spays can range from $100 to $500 depending on the size and age of your dog. The cost of dog castration can range from $45 to $350. Learn more about the costs of spaying and neutering with this article: How Much Does Dog Spaying or Dog Neutering Cost? Pet insurance can help cover the cost of spaying depending on your policy. Learn more about pet insurance for dogs. Go to What is Pet Insurance?

We hope this article gives you more information and answers your questions about neuter surgery. Below are additional articles that may be of interest.

Additional Articles that May Be of Interest About Dog Neuter Surgery: