Latest Research On Spay And Neuter Timing There are specific breeds where the recommendation is to desex closer to 1 year of age and for some high cancer-risk breeds or breeds with increased risks of bone developmental issues or urinary incontinence, the recommendation is to spay or neuter after 2 years of age.
The recommended time to spay or neuter a dog is six to nine months. But if your dog is healthy, there is no specific age limit to having the procedure done.
It is widely – and falsely – believed that neutering “calms a dog down”. However, an adult or adolescent dog's basic temperament is relatively independent of testosterone, and neutering won't make any significant changes to his intelligence or personality.
How long does it take a male dog to recover from neutering? With proper care, the healing process will take approximately two weeks. Most pet parents are surprised to find out how quickly their male dogs recover from this safe and effective procedure. A smooth recovery process starts with a reliable veterinarian.
There is new knowledge related to reproductive surgeries that suggest that spaying or neutering pets at that age could potentially lead to an increased risk of conditions such as joint disorders, cranial cruciate injuries, and some cancers.
A University of Georgia study, based on the medical records of more than 70,000 animal patients, found that the life expectancy of neutered male dogs was 13.8% longer and that of spayed female dogs was 26.3% longer.
Male dogs that are not neutered can develop a prostate enlargement that can ultimately cause difficulty with urinations and bowel movements. They can also develop infections of the prostate. Other medical conditions that can occur are testicular cancer and tumors around the anal area that require surgery.
The discomfort caused by spay or neuter surgeries usually only lasts a few days and should be gone after a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days you should contact your vet to get further advice.
Will my dog live longer? On average dogs who are spayed or neutered live one and a half years longer than those who are not. Typically, dogs who are not fixed live to be about 8 years of age, where fixed dogs average about nine and a half years. There is a bit more to this though.
Early Neutered Dogs Suffer Increased Cruciate Rupture
In addition, with the extra growth, the lower leg below the stifle likely becomes heavier (because it is longer), and may cause increased stresses on the cranial cruciate ligament.” This is verified with a study by Slauterbeck et al.
When should I neuter my male dog? Small dogs do not have as many orthopedic issues, therefore it is fine to neuter them on the younger side at 6-12 months of age. For large dogs that are very prone to orthopedic injury/diseases we now recommend waiting to neuter until 9-18 months of age.
"In general, a pet should be neutered as soon as he starts demonstrating naughty behaviors like being aggressive or dominant, marking territory, or trying to escape to find a mate," Nichols says.
The traditional age for neutering is six to nine months. However, puppies as young as eight weeks can be neutered as long as there aren't other health problems. An adult dog can be neutered at any time but there is a larger risk of complications.
Austad and Hoffman say spayed and neutered pets live longer, healthier, happier lives because they have fewer behavioral issues and they are less susceptible to infections, degenerative diseases, and traumatic/violent causes of death.
Neutering keeps your dog healthier. A final positive aspect of neutering your dog is that neutered pets tend to have fewer health problems. Neutering is the removal of the testicles. Without these organs, testicular cancer is no longer a concern and the risk of prostate problems is reduced.
Neutering is considered a major operation and requires general anesthesia. With any anesthetic the risk of serious complications, including death, is always present. However, with modern anesthetics and monitoring equipment, the risk of a complication is very low.
Neutering is a reasonably safe process; however, you can expect sharp changes in your dog's attitude right when you bring them home from the procedure. These side effects can range from increased aggression, depression, anxiety, or even clinginess; however, they only last for a short amount of time.
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.
Following a general anesthetic, some dogs cry and whimper quite loudly. Neutered dogs usually feel some degree of discomfort immediately following their procedure. It is not unusual for your dog to whine or whimper after being neutered, although some dogs can tolerate pain more than others.
Health risks. There is some evidence that castration can actually increase the risk of osteosarcoma, a very dangerous, malignant cancer which often kills dogs. There is also evidence that it increases the risk of hypothyroidism. This is not a life threatening condition but does require life-long treatment.
Although neutering can improve some behaviours, it can make others worse. In male dogs, testosterone can give them a confidence boost, so removing their testicles, which are the main producer of their testosterone, can make some nervous and anxious dogs more fearful and more likely to be aggressive when stressed.
Indoor restlessness/irritability. Pacing, whining, unable to settle down or focus. Door dashing, fence jumping and assorted escape behaviors; wandering/roaming. Baying, howling, overbarking.
It's important to note that males may still engage in full-testosterone male behaviors while their male sex hormone levels diminish after surgery. This can take up to six weeks. It's crucial for owners to know that they can still get females pregnant.
Cons Of Neutering Older Dogs
Older dogs will take longer to recover. A dog that gets neutered when they are older may require extra healing time and a little more assistance with their day to day activities like eating, going outside, or up and down the stairs.
Yes. Throughout the surgery your dog will be unconscious and not feel any pain. Once your dog wakes up after the surgery, medication will be needed to help manage pain. Directly following the surgery, your vet will administer long-term pain medication via an injection which should last for about 12-24 hours.