For starters,
the more stray dogs there are, the higher the risk of posing danger to the neighborhood.
Plus... who wants to see tons of dog litter? Aside from
dog poop here and there, the
danger of spreading rabies through dog attack is definitely a major consideration. Th
e simplest way help stop this is spaying and neutering of dogs. But first, let me differentiate the two.
Spaying is for female dogs, while
neutering is for male dogs.
What is Neutering?
It is a
procedure done on a male dog to prevent him from making puppies. It is often called the
“big snip,” and it does more than just preventing population increase,
dog neutering has a lot of other health benefits.
Other Benefits of Dog Neutering
The following are a few of the health benefits dog neutering can offer to your pets:
-
Prevention of certain diseases, like testicular cancer and various types of prostate diseases.
-
Your dog will be calmer and will “mark” less. Dogs pee in almost every place they want to mark to make their presence known to other male dogs.
- He will be less aggressive and will improve on roaming, humping and other behaviors that pronounce dominance.
- Less fights with other dogs, especially male dogs. It usually happens when they are in heat and are fighting for the attention of the same female dog.
At this point, you may already be convinced on having your dog neutered. Well, if that is the case, you need to know what preparations are necessary in order to ensure the safety of your canine.
What preparation do I need to know in order to ensure the success of dog neutering?
The preparation will involve three phases: the pre-surgery, the actual surgery and post operations.
First, let’s discuss pre-surgery preparations:
You may think that dogs do not need to go through lab works because they are animals. But just like us humans, before we subject ourselves to an invasive procedure such as surgery, our loving pets also need to have a pre-surgical blood work. This will make sure that our pet is healthy and will not encounter any complications during and after the procedure.
One very important pre-op preparation is not to feed your dog any solids at least 8 hours prior to the procedure. You may think that fasting your pet is cruel, but believe me, it is better than subjecting them to nausea after getting anesthesia. You might ask, “how about drinking water?” Although it is generally acceptable to give them something to drink, you may still want to ask your vet for clearance.
How about during the surgery, what do I need to remember?
One very important tip to keep in mind during surgery is to keep calm. When you bring your dog to the vet for neutering, make sure that you as the
pet owner remain calm. Generally speaking,
pets feed off their master’s emotional state. So if you are jittery, your dog can very well sense this. If you are calm, it will make them feel more comfortable and secure... and believe me, it will go a long way!
What about post-operative preparations?
Just like us humans, dogs who have undergone a major procedure, such as neutering, need time to recover. Some vets will ask the dog to stay overnight at the clinic for monitoring while others may release them. Once they go home, it is crucial that you know what signs to watch out for in case of any infections or complications.
If the surgery went successfully, our dogs should be up and about after a few days. Since they were administered anesthesia, expect them to be lethargic a few hours to a day. After that, they should go back to their normal selves. Neutering can generally make them feel more calm, it may be normal to see this change.
Licking can inflame the wound. So to keep your dogs from doing this, it is most advisable to put an Elizabethan collar, otherwise known as “cone of shame,” around his neck. This will facilitate faster healing.
It is also wise to restrict their activities. Just like us humans, after getting out of the hospital coming from a major surgery it is the doctor’s order to rest. Same thing with our dogs. It is most wise to put them inside a crate. If they are too big to be put inside a crate, you may want to put a gate or create a specific area for their recovery. Make sure that it is safe, clean, and well-ventilated.
It might also be necessary to give them pain relievers. Remember that they were just operated on so there is a fresh wound. Once the anesthesia wears off it may be very painful for them. If you do not manage the pain, your dog may cause some trouble.
Congratulations on deciding to have your dog neutered! You are not only helping control the population boom of dogs, but you are also
being a responsible pet owner. I hope that all the information I shared can help you
take care of your dog after neutering.
