Castration in dogs is a relatively simple procedure in which the testes are removed under full anaesthesia. This is done under form of a day surgery, where the dog is brought to the practice sober and walks home happily the same day. Thanks to suturing into the skin and the use of pain medication, a collar or body is usually not needed. However, they are always given pain medication to take home for a few days.
Castration has a number of advantages: reproduction is avoided, they have less tendency to escape in search of females in heat, they do not get frustrated by sexual arousal and if the procedure is performed in time, they will not raise their paw to mark their territory. It also prevents or resolves some forms of aggression and a number of medical problems (testicular cancer, most prostate problems, perineal fractures, perineal tumours, inner ball or cryptorch).
However, there are also a number of reasons not to have a dog neutered. With frightened dogs, for example, this is not often a bad idea. You also have to be very careful not to let them get too fat after the operation, but with an adapted diet, sufficient exercise and the necessary discipline, this should not be a problem. Sometimes slight changes in the coat occur. Some forms of cancers may be slightly more common in certain breeds if they are neutered, although this should always be framed: many of these cancers are not common anyway. Good consultation with the vet is therefore important.
Castration of a dog can be performed at any age.
There are also alternatives to surgical castration.
Sterilisation (in which only part of the sperm is removed) is sometimes performed. Here, testosterone production remains intact, but reproduction is impossible. Nowadays, chemical castration can also be considered, in which an implant is inserted via an injection that makes the dog temporarily infertile. This usually does not require anaesthesia. It does need to be repeated every 6 to 12 months.
