Neutering

In these days of a growing "Anti-Dog" lobby city-dwelling dog owners should consider surgical neutering as part of responsible dog ownership.

Dogs, by their very nature, are pack animals with strong instincts to form a hierarchy or "pecking-order". Within each group, one dog will aspire to become top dog. Usually this is an adult male; he is followed in the hierarchy by the other males, these by adult females, with puppies at the bottom.

Conflict within a hierarchy develops when there is competition for places, when a new dog arrive in the area, when puppies reach adulthood or where there are bitches "in-season".

Generally it is at the times of conflict that certain undesirable aspects of canine behaviour become apparent.

For behavioural and medical reasons, surgical neutering can be the answer.

PRO's: 

  • Neutering reduces the tendency for male dogs to roam after bitches in season. The bitch's scent is powerful and can attract many male dogs in a city.
  • Neutering reduces the tendency for male dogs to show aggression towards other dogs and humans. It is for this reason that neutering is one of the requirements for breeds covered by the "Dangerous Dogs Act."
  • Neutering reduces the tendency for male dogs to display overtly sexual behaviour: - mounting of other dogs/ cushions/ humans or excessive urine marking of territory (outdoors or indoors.)
  • Middle-aged and old male dogs are prone to such medical conditions as :- Prostate enlargement or cancer testicular cancers anal adenomas (anal cancer)

ALL ARE PREVENTED BY SURGICAL NEUTERING

Surgical neutering of male dogs involves removal of both testicles (castration.) Patients are allowed home the same day, and have sutures removed after 7 days.

CON's

  • Neutering may increase the tendency for male and female dogs to gain weight. However, in our opinion, this will only occur if the dog is either overfed or under exercised or, more usually, both.

At Braid Veterinary Hospital, we are in favour of all male and female dogs, unless intended for breeding, being surgically neutered.