Should I Castrate My Male Dog?
What are the benefits?
- Castrated males are unable to breed, so neutering helps prevent unwanted litters
- Castration removes the risk of testicular cancer
- At least 50% of uncastrated dogs will have changes in the prostate by 5 years of age, which can lead to signs such as discomfort and straining to toilet
- Uncastrated males are significantly more prone to hernias and tumours affecting the perineum and anus
- Castration may reduce testosterone-driven actions such as mounting behaviour
- Castrated males are less likely to roam and have fewer accidents/injuries
Are there any alternatives?
What are the risks?
All procedures have risks; however, castration is generally considered a routine and safe procedure. Specific risks include:
- Swelling or infection of the wound; risk reduced with rest and use of a buster collar
- Energy requirements drop after neutering so weight gain is common - obesity can cause many problems so careful weight management is important
- Some dog breeds may experience a change in their hair coat texture after neutering
- Anaesthetic deaths and excessive bleeding during surgery can happen but are extremely rare.
Should all dogs be castrated?
Castration is the only guaranteed way to prevent unwanted breeding and certain medical conditions, however it may not be the right choice for every dog. The decision will depend on age, breed, lifestyle and other risk factors. For example, removing testosterone can reduce aggression, but some dogs who act aggressively towards other dogs are acting defensively out of fear. In these cases, removing testosterone can be unhelpful or even harmful. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to neuter, and we strongly recommend a conversation with your vet or nurse first.
Castration is strongly recommended in dogs with retained testicles, or for management of conditions such as testicular cancer, prostatic hyperplasia, or perineal hernias.
When should we castrate?
Where possible, it is advisable to delay neutering until dogs have reached skeletal maturity (meaning their bones have stopped developing). This can reduce the risk of orthopaedic problems and certain cancers developing later in life.
- For the majority of breeds this means castrating from 12 months of age
- For large or giant breeds delaying castration until 18-23 months of age is recommended
- There is little data about the impact of age at the time of chemical castration.
This advice is in line with the recommendations shared by the British Veterinary Association and British Small Animal Veterinary Association. For more information, browse the dedicated 'neutering of cats and dogs' webpage on the British Veterinary Association website.
Please speak to your vet or nurse to decide what is best for your pet.
What if both testicles haven’t descended?
In very young puppies the testicles develop near the kidneys, before dropping to the scrotum by 12 weeks old. In some dogs, one or both testicles do not drop fully (referred to as retained). Retained testicles may be under the skin in front of the scrotum (known as inguinal) or inside the abdomen. Retained testicles are significantly more likely to become cancerous and castration is strongly recommended.
Inguinal testicles can be removed similarly to a normal castration, either through the same or an additional incision. Abdominal testicles can be challenging to remove and require an approach similar to neutering a female dog. They can also be removed using laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery – this is much less invasive but is only offered in some clinics due to the specialist equipment required.
What happens on the day?
- You will be asked to bring your pet to the clinic in the morning
- A member of the team will go through a consent form to confirm the procedure and answer any questions you have
- Your dog will need to stay in the clinic for the day; most practices have several pets on the theatre list so can’t give an exact time your pet’s procedure will be performed
- A pre-medication injection containing pain relief and a mild sedative will be given before surgery
- Once your pet is under anaesthetic, the procedure area will be shaved to allow the skin to be cleaned and made sterile - some dogs have a mild reaction to clipping which usually settles within a few days
- Surgery typically takes 10-30 minutes, however both operating time and the size of the surgical wound vary with the size of dog and different surgeons
- Pets recover from anaesthesia at different speeds, but once your pet has woken up fully, they will be offered something to eat, and a discharge time arranged.
What happens afterwards?
- After surgery, your dog may be groggy for up to 48 hours as the anaesthesia wears off, but generally most young dogs recovery quickly
- You will be given a buster collar and must use this (or a surgical body suit) to prevent your pet from licking their stitches - as they heal, they will become itchy, but interference can cause serious infections
- It is advised to keep your dog quiet for the first few days and do no more than short lead walks to the toilet for 10 days post-surgery
- Check-ups at your practice will be within the first couple of days after the procedure, and again at 7-10 days post-op
- Removing any sutures and the buster collar will be done at your 7-10 day post-operative check-up.
