Neutering dogs has many health and lifestyle benefits, but there is a greater potential for complications than with cats.

Anesthetic medications used in the procedure vary, and it is worth discussing with your veterinarian which anesthetic will be used, as there are different safety margins and recovery periods between products. Most procedures will involve premedication/sedation, an induction injection into a front leg where the hair will be clipped (after which the dog is rendered unconscious), followed by a gas administered to your pet through a tube placed in the windpipe. This can sometimes cause a cough for a few days after the operation. Ask your vet about pain medications given during the operation.

bitches

Advantages Spaying will prevent the occurrence of a common life-threatening uterine infection called Pyometra and will dramatically reduce the risk of breast cancer if done at a young age. There will also normally be a cessation of seasons with no bleeding or behavioral changes and no unwanted pregnancies or ‘false pregnancies’.

cons. There may be changes in temperament, with some bitches becoming more docile and some having a greater tendency to gain weight. There is also a higher incidence of urinary incontinence in old age, especially if the surgery is done at a very young age. There is a small risk of bleeding and problems can occur within the skin wound. However, these are not common.

Ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus) is done through a cut through the abdomen. When the patient is overweight or very large, there is a greater tendency to bleeding and bruising. This is a major surgery, although it is performed routinely, but the incidence of complications is very low. Recovery may take several days and healing may take several weeks. It is typical for five to ten sutures to remain in the skin to be removed seven to ten days later.

Timing of the operation: Most vets castrate female dogs over nine months. Many vets prefer to wait until after the first season, although this is not strictly necessary.

Half seasons is best and increasing age poses more risks.

Cost varies hugely but would normally be in the range of £70 – £250

male dogs

Advantages Castration reduces the risk of common prostate diseases that can cause pain and urinary problems later in life, and testicular tumors are prevented. Behavior is usually less aggressive after surgery, especially with other dogs. Excessive love behavior is also greatly reduced, which translates into fewer traffic accidents and detours.

cons. There may be changes in temperament: calmer dogs with, occasionally, a tendency to gain weight.

Castration (removal of the testicles) is usually done through a single incision in front of the scrotum. Complications can include bleeding into the empty scrotum, and for this reason the scrotum is sometimes removed (ablation). Recovery normally takes a day or so. It is typical for two or three sutures to remain in the skin to be removed seven to ten days later.

When only one or no testicles are present in the scrotum, castration is strongly recommended to avoid problems in a “retained” testicle within the abdomen.

Timing of the operation: Most veterinarians will neuter dogs older than nine months. Premature castration can affect the development of a male body and male behavior.

Cost varies hugely but would normally be in the £50-£200 range