Why you should desex your dog

Desexing is not an unnecessary cruelty toward animals. It is actually a healthy procedure for your dog that minimises multiple risk of infection or disease.

21 Mar 2016 By JimBob Comments

When dogs are not desexed, unplanned breeding occurs… The result of the natural process of reproduction is often accidental and unwanted litters. These dogs usually end up in animal shelters.

 

Health benefits

After a dog undergoes desexing, it is less likely to contract possibly fatal illnesses such as breast cancer (yes, dogs get this), prostate cancer (this too), and uterine infections. In some cases, the level of testosterone in male dogs can cause the prostate to enlarge, resulting in problems with the dog’s bowels and infection.

 

Behaviour benefits

Female dogs that have been desexed will refrain from showing mating behaviour. This means your dog will no longer desire to roam the streets to find a mate, stirring up havoc by running wild on the roads.

 In male dogs, all the negative behaviours caused by hormones will also be reduced. This includes urinating in spots that they believe to be “their territory” and inappropriate mounting (which is a pretty embarrassing event during garden parties).

No changes in behaviour and appetite

Don’t listen to those old myths saying dogs become lethargic or lazy after desexing. Your dog’s desire for activity will remain the same, and they’ll be just as keen for their daily walk as ever.

 How old should your dog be for desexing?

Dogs as young as eight weeks old can be desexed, however the procedure can also be performed for older dogs. Veterinarians have noticed that dogs desexed before they reach puberty at 6 months old tend to grow a bit larger than dogs that were desexed after they are 6 months old.

 Despite this, veterinary professionals assure pet owners that their dogs will still exhibit the same positive effects of desexing no matter how old they are when the procedure is performed.

 

The desexing procedure

Neutering (for male dogs) and spaying (for female dogs) are surgical procedures performed under general anaesthesia, meaning the animals will feel no pain at all during the performance of the procedure. After the operation, most veterinarians will also prescribe analgesics for your dog so they will feel little to no discomfort.

 Ok, get ready for the gory details… Close your eyes if you’re squeamish!

For female dogs, the operation involves an incision in the middle part of the abdomen and the complete removal of the uterus and ovaries. Doing so not only stops your dog from giving birth to unplanned litters, but will also prevent her from going into mating “heat” and attracting the unwanted attention of male dogs. The operation also prevents infections of the uterus in the future.

 With male dogs, the vet will make an incision in the front area of the scrotum (we agree it sounds “ouch” but remember the dogs are under anaesthesia) for the complete removal of the animal’s testes. Doing so effectively removes the source of the sperm, as well as the main source of testosterone which is notorious for fuelling bad behaviour in male dogs.

The incisions are closed with stitches. For a speedy recovery, it is important that you prevent the dog from licking at the area or chewing out the stitches. Otherwise they’ll end up having to be dragged to the vet again!

21 Mar 2016 By JimBob Comments

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