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          Canine Castration          

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Having a male dog neutered (castrated) involves a general anaesthetic and removal of both testicles.  The advantages can be a decrease in sexual behaviour (mounting and territorial urine marking), less likely to roam and the obvious advantage of preventing unwanted puppies if he lives with an unspeyed bitch. Castration will also reduce the risk of prostate and testicular cancer, anal disease and some hernias in later life.  Castrated dogs may tend to put weight on so it is important to monitor this and reduce the intake of food where necessary.  In addition there may be some changes in the coat and sometimes slight changes in character.  We recommend waiting till your dog is aproximately a year old before having him castrated although in some instances it can be done earlier.


Castration & The Behavioural Effects
Canine NeuterFAQ
Medical Benefits of Neutering your companion Animal

canineconcepts  Castration & The Behavioural Effects

http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk

Many dog owners inadvertently conclude that canine castration is the magic solution to all their dog-behaviour problems. The decision to castrate is often taken as a desperate measure, rather than a well-thought-out and considered judgement based on the likely benefits.

The main reasons castrations are carried out are usually to either:

Prevent accidental mating and, consequently, unwanted puppies. 

Address certain medical conditions including testicular cancer and diseases of the prostate gland. 

Or/and to address behavioural problems. 

This article looks specifically at the behavioural implications of castration and avoids both the medical and moral arguments surrounding this subject.

What exactly is castration?
Also known as neutering, castration is the surgical procedure which removes an animal's testicles (or testes). It is a routine minor operation carried out under general anaesthetic and does not normally require an overnight stay at the vet. Some stitching is required which is then usually removed after 7-10 days. Un-castrated dogs are often referred to as 'entire' males.

So what is the connection between castration and behaviour ?
The testes are responsible for the production of testosterone. As dogs grow, during their adolescence (6-18 months) the levels of this hormone increase such that secondary sex-related characteristics become more evident. These include mounting, leg lifting and higher levels of aggression. The hypothesis is that removal of the testes reduces the production of testosterone and hence sex related behaviour.

Does castration reduce dog aggression towards humans?
Of all dog behaviours, aggressiveness is the one that gives us the greatest concern. The reasons for aggression within dogs can be varied. Understanding these reasons, their causes and symptoms requires the experience of a trained behaviourist. The causes for aggression towards family members is usually the most difficult to determine. Often it is as a result of the dog attempting to gain a higher rank within its pack (which includes your family). This is known as dominance aggression and surveys have shown that this form of aggression is more common in entire males than castrated males. In such cases, your vet or behaviourist may recommend castration as part of a behaviour programme to tackle this form of aggression. They would also look at ways to help stabilise the ranking hierarchy within the home. See our article How to become the pack leader.
Territorial aggression is often the main cause of aggression towards visitors to your home. In the wild, territorial aggression by dogs stems from the need to protect mating and food resources. Hence, like dominance aggression, castration may also be part of a behaviour modification programme.

On the other hand, your dog's discomfort with a particular situation or circumstance may result in fear or nervous aggression. There can be a number of reasons for this, but lack of socialisation during ‘puppyhood’ is usually the main cause. In such cases, a behaviour modification programme is unlikely to include castration.

Does castration reduce dog aggression towards other dogs?
Aggression between dogs is most often either fear aggression or dominance aggression. Fear aggression may be the result of a previous experience of being attacked, or because they feel they are unable to escape a particular situation. In the latter case, dogs are more likely to display fear aggression whilst on lead as opposed to being off lead. As mentioned earlier, canine castration would not be a part of resolving aggression caused through fear.

Castration may be recommended where aggression between dogs is orientated towards other males and where fear aggression has been ruled out. Castration may reduce the desire to dominate and reduce overall aggression thresholds. Additionally, castrated dogs smell less masculine and are less likely to be the focus of aggressive intentions by other dogs. Aggression between dogs is discussed in more detail in our article Why is My Dog Aggressive to Other Dogs

Does castration stop mounting behaviour?
Mounting behaviour is discussed in more detail in our article Why is my dog mounting other dogs. Where this behaviour is portrayed against female dogs (or in some cases neutered dogs - see above), castration can be very effective.

Mounting behaviour against humans or other objects (e.g. pillows, large fluffy toys) can occur particularly as a dog enters puberty. If this behaviour continues into adulthood, then castration is likely to be recommended and is known to be very successful. If the mounting behaviour is as a result of dominance, other behaviour therapies may also need to be considered.

Does castration eliminate urine marking?
Our article Urine Marking in the house discusses this behaviour in more detail. Castration is known to help in cases urine marking, particularly where the marking is taking place inside the home. On its own, urine marking outside the home is generally not considered sufficient reasoning for castration.

Are there any behavioural side-effects of castration?
It is believed that castrated dogs smell different and can become the focus of attention from other males. This is particularly evident in recently castrated dogs.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that castration causes a dog to put on weight. It is true that after castration dogs can have an increased appetite and will eat more food if given. Hence the over weight is often due to over feeding rather than the effects of castration.

Castration does not affect an owner’s ability to train their dog. In fact many find castrated dogs are less distracted and easier to train

Any there any alternatives?
Some owners mistakenly believe that allowing their dog to mate will reduce their dog's frustrations and consequently ease behavioural problems. This is not the case and in many cases things can get worse as the dogs interest in females and sense of status increases further.

Hormone treatments prescribed by vets can be beneficial in tackling behaviour problems. They are normally in tablet or injection form and are a useful way of modifying behaviour while other behaviour improvement tactics are employed.

Hormone treatments are also a useful gauge as to the likely effects of castration.

http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk
© 2004 Canine Concepts United Kingdom
reprinted with kind permission from Canine Concepts

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THE PET HEALTH LIBRARY

By Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP
Educational Director, VeterinaryPartner.com 
http://www.veterinarypartner.com
    
Canine Neuter FAQ


What Are the Health Benefits to the Dog?
There are several health benefits to neutering. One of the most important concerns the prostate gland, 
which under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog's life. In old age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection, which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance, thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true.

Other health benefits of neutering include the prevention of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Neutering also reduces excessive preputial discharge.

What Behavioral Changes Can Be Expected after Neutering?
The only behavior changes that are observed after neutering relate to behaviors influenced by male hormones. Playfulness, friendliness, and socialization with humans are not changed. The behaviors that change are far less desirable. The interest in roaming is eliminated in 90% of neutered dogs. Aggressive behavior against other male dogs is eliminated in 60% of neutered dogs. Urine marking is eliminated in 50% of neutered male dogs. Inappropriate mounting is eliminated in 70% of neutered dogs.

What Exactly Is Done Surgically?
An incision is made, generally just forward from the scrotum. The testicles are removed through this incision. The stalks are tied off and cut. Castration is achieved. If the testicles are not removed, the desirable benefits listed above cannot be achieved. The skin incision may or may not have stitches.

What Can I Expect upon Discharge from the Hospital?
The scrotum is often swollen in the first few days after surgery, leading some people to wonder if the procedure was really performed. If the dog is immature at the time of neutering, the empty scrotum will flatten out as he grows. If he is mature at the time of neuter, the empty scrotum will remain as a flap of skin. Sometimes the incision is mildly bruised but this is not unduly sore for the dog and pain relief is almost never necessary post neuter. Most male dogs are eager to play by the day after surgery but to keep the incision intact; it is best to restrict the dog from boisterous activity.
 
At What Age Can Neutering Be Performed?
Neutering can be performed at any age over age 8 weeks. Dogs neutered before puberty (generally age 6 months) tend to grow a bit bigger than dogs neutered after puberty (testosterone is involved in causing bones to stop growing, so without testosterone the bones stop growing later). Neutering can also be performed in the geriatric patient should the prostate gland become enlarged and the best medical decision is to shrink it. In this event, preanesthetic blood work and other diagnostics relevant to anesthetizing an older patient would be recommended.

The traditional age for neutering is around 6 months of age and many veterinarians still recommend neutering at this age.

The benefits of neutering (both health and behavioral) can still be obtained regardless of the age at which neutering is performed.

Will He Get Over-Weight or Lethargic?
Activity level and appetite do not change with neutering. A male dog should not gain weight or become less interested in activity post neuter.

Will he Still Be Interested in Females?
His interest will be reduced but if he is around a female dog in heat, he will become aroused by her. Mounting behavior often has roots in the expression of dominance and may be expressed by a neutered male in a variety of circumstances that are not motivated by sexuality.

What if a Dog Has an Undescended Testicle?
Undescended testicles have an increased tendency to grow tumors over descended testicles. They may also twist on their stalks and cause life-threatening inflammation. For these reasons, neutering is recommended for dogs with undescended testicles. This procedure is more complicated than a routine neuter; the missing testicle can be under the skin along the path it should have descended to the scrotum or it may be inside the abdomen. Some exploration may be needed to find it thus there is often an incision for each testicle. The retained testicle is sterile and under-developed. If there is one descended testicle, this one will be fertile, but since retaining a testicle is a hereditary trait it is important that the male dog not be bred before he is neutered.

Date Published: 1/1/2001
Copyright 2001 - 2007 by the Veterinary Information Network, Inc. All rights reserved.
This work was originally published by Veterinary Information
Network, Inc. (VIN) and is republished with VIN's permission.

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Medical Benefits of Neutering Your Companion Animal

http://www.ahimsarescuefoundation.org
“Ten to twelve million animals are euthanized each year simply because there are not enough homes.”

“There is theoretically no limit to the number of offspring male dogs and cats can produce.”


 Have a heart - have your pet spayed or neutered
Dogs and cats have a greatly improved chance of long life, good health and contentment if they are spayed or neutered.  Neutering is the most reliable cure for numerous health and behavior problems and acts as a powerful preventive.  In addition to conferring numerous health benefits, spaying and neutering prevents reduces or eliminates behaviors problematic in the home.

Neutering removes the testicles, and so prevents testicular tumors.  A dog that develops a testicular tumor must be treated, before the tumor spreads, by the only effective means-neutering.  Especially prevalent in older dogs, testicular tumors are the second most common tumor in male dogs. 

Some dogs have one or two “undescended” testicles, which remain inside the body; these dogs have particularly Hugh risk of testicular tumors.  Although only a small percentage of testicular tumors are malignant, even non-cancerous ones can threaten a dog’s life.  One type of non-malignant testicular tumor sometimes secretes the hormone estrogen at toxic levels that destroy the bone marrow’s ability to produce blood cells- a fatal outcome.  If the lack of visible equipment is a concern, ask your veterinarian about “neuticles” artificial implants that are now available to help owners feel better about neutering their dogs.

Enlargement of the prostate gland affects over 60 percent of unaltered male dogs older than five years.  Prostatic enlargement predisposes a dog to prostate and urinary tract infections, which can make urinating difficult and painful.  If infection leads to an abscess, it must be surgically drained.  Common consequences of the surgery, however, include incontinence, system wide infection, shock and death.  Because prostatic enlargement is caused by the male hormone testosterone and testosterone is produced by the testicles, neutering acts as both preventive and cure.

Tumors of the perianal glands also develop in response to testosterone.  The third most common tumor in male dogs, perianal tumors often bleed or become infected.   Although perianal tumors can be surgically removed, they usually reoccur unless the dog is neutered.

By eliminating the sexual drive that can cause a dog to bolt from the house or yard, neutering helps protect dogs from injuries and diseases associated with roaming.  Neutering decreases roaming, one study found, in 90 percent of male dogs.  On the loose, a dog may be hit by a car, harmed by an act of cruelty, or infected with disease transmitted by another animal.

To end the pet overpopulation we must turn off the reproductive faucet. Have your pet spayed or neutered.
 
Copyright © Ahimsa Rescue Foundation 2003 - 2007
No reprints or copies without expressed, written permission
reprinted with kind permission from
Teresa L. Morton, Ahimsa Rescue Founder http://www.ahimsarescuefoundation.org
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Neuter Surgery
 Dog Neuter
 Neutering
Addressing the Testosterone Issue
 Canine Neutering


Chemical Neutering

 
chloebutton  talabutton

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.