Our vets in Cleveland understand that some pet parents feel many emotions when deciding whether to have their dog spayed or neutered. However, the discomfort dogs typically experience after neutering is usually short-lived and easily manageable. Learn about what to expect from the procedure in this article.
What's the difference between spaying and neutering?
The terms 'spaying' and 'neutering' refer to surgical procedures that prevent your dog from producing puppies. Both of these surgeries are commonly referred to as 'neutering' or being 'fixed' although the surgeries are very different.
Neutered Male Dogs
The neutering or castration of male dogs involves the surgical removal of the testicles while the dog is under general anesthesia.
Spayed Female Dogs
When your female dog is spayed, the vet will surgically remove both ovaries and the uterus, while your dog is under general anesthesia.
Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Dog
Our vets understand that you may wonder whether you should have your dog neutered or spayed. However, going through this emotional process is with it, both for you as a loving pup parent and your canine companion.
Having your dog 'fixed' can help curb undesirable behaviors like mounting, roaming, and aggression towards other animals. Spaying and neutering may also offer your dog several health benefits, including the prevention of unwanted puppies and a decreased risk of developing serious illnesses.
Millions of dogs enter shelters across the United States every year. By having your dog spayed or neutered, you can help reduce the overall number of unwanted puppies in your community.
When should I get my dog spayed or neutered?
Generally, spaying and neutering should be done when puppies are around six months old. Female dogs typically reach this milestone before their first heat cycle. For larger or giant-breed dogs, your vet may advise you to wait a full year before spaying and neutering to allow them to fully develop. Be sure to ask your veterinarian when you should spay or neuter your dog, as you may need to consider specific individual circumstances.
Keep in mind that your vet can perform the spaying and neutering procedure at any age. So, if you find yourself considering adopting an older dog that has not yet been fixed, you shouldn't be concerned about doing so.
Is spaying or neutering safe for my dog?
Yes. These surgeries are common veterinary medical procedures that most vets are experienced in performing. Nonetheless, just like with people, there is some level of risk involved whenever a dog is under anesthesia for a procedure.
For this reason, your vet will closely monitor your dog during the procedure and watch for any signs of illness or potential complications.
What can happen if I don't spay or neuter my dog?
If you don't spay or neuter your dog, they may display unwanted behaviors like roaming, aggression, and territory marking. Additionally, not spaying or neutering can contribute to pet overpopulation and increase the risk that your dog will experience certain health issues like mammary tumors or testicular cancer.
How do I help my dog feel more comfortable after neutering?
After your dog has been neutered you are going to want to help them to rest and feel as comfortable as possible. Here are a few things that you can do to help comfort your dog after neutering:
- Provide your dog with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other pets.
- Prevent your pet from running and jumping for two weeks after neutering. Be sure to follow your vet's instructions regarding activity after these procedures, since your dog may require further restrictions.
- Have your dog wear a cone (Elizabethan collar) or post-operative jumpsuit (recovery suit) to prevent your pup from licking the incision site. Licking the incision may cause an infection.
- To help your dog's incision heal as quickly as possible, do not bathe your dog (or allow it to swim) for at least ten days after its surgery.
- Check the incision site every day for any signs of infection and to be sure that the incision is healing well.
Contact your vet if you notice any redness, swelling, or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision has opened. Also, contact your vet if your dog seems lethargic, stops eating, has diarrhea, or begins vomiting.
How long will my dog be in pain after neutering?
When you pick your dog up from the vet's office after surgery, your dog may be tired, queasy, or just not seem like its usual self - those are all typical side effects of general anesthesia. The next day your pet should begin behaving more like themselves and be showing little or no sign of any pain.
While spaying your female dog is more involved than neutering male dogs, these surgeries should take about the same amount of time to recover from.
Any discomfort caused by having your dog fixed lasts for just a few days and should be completely gone after about a week. If your pup is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a few days, contact your vet for further advice.
Will my dog have pain meds after surgery?
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.
The vet will prescribe any take-home medications required to help relieve your dog's post-operative pain. Some of the most common medications prescribed by vets to help manage pain after neutering include Torbugesic or Rimadyl.
Follow your vet's instructions carefully when it comes to giving your dog pain medications. Never administer human pain medications to your dog! Some pain medications that work for humans can be poisonous to dogs.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.