What does neutering mean? Neutering your pet means that it is desexed, whether it is male or female but the term is commonly associated with castration where the testicles are surgically removed. The procedure is simple and does not take long to perform.
What if my pet is not a dog or a cat?
If you have an exotic animal you may consult with Dr. Gray. He can neuter rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, prairie dogs, and iguanas or other large lizards.
When and why should I neuter my dog or cat?
Arboretum View Animal Hospital recommends neutering your dog or cat at 6 months of age. In addition to preventing accidental pregnancies, there are several health and behavioral benefits listed below:
- Decreased urine marking
- Decreased desire to roam
- Decreased signs of aggression especially towards other dogs
- Reduction of prostate disease in dogs
- Reduction in mounting behavior
What are the possible complications of neutering?
Neutering is a very simple surgery and complications are rare. Possible complications include bleeding, scrotal swelling, infection, and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
How does Arboretum View Animal Hospital perform neuters?
After the patient is admitted to the hospital a physical exam is performed. Preanesthetic bloodwork is run in hospital if it has not already been done. The patient is then given a preanesthetic injection that helps relieve anxiety and provide pain relief. Generally, an intravenous (IV) catheter is placed for administration of drugs and fluids during the procedure. Intravenous fluids are given to help maintain blood pressure, provide hydration, improve postoperative body temperature, and shorten anesthetic recovery time. The most current gas anesthesia (sevoflurane) is used with state of the art anesthesia and patient monitoring equipment. A breathing tube (endotracheal tube) is placed in the airway to deliver the gas anesthesia and oxygen as well as to provide assisted breathing if necessary. Once the patient is anesthetized the hair near the surgical area is removed (the prescrotal area for dogs, and scrotum for cats). Dogs are then moved into the surgery suite., where the surgery site is cleaned with surgical scrub. Cats remain in the prep area since the procedure is much shorter. The surgeon completes a scrub of his/her hands and arms, and puts on sterile gown and gloves. The patient is draped with sterile drapes, and all surgical instruments are kept on a sterile table. A small incision is made in front of the scrotum in dogs and over each testicle on the scrotum in cats. The blood vessels are tied off and the testicles are removed. Dogs have two layers of sutures (stitches) to hold the incision closed. The closed incision looks like a thin line with no visible suture or staples. The incision for cats is very small and is left alone to heal by itself. After the surgery is completed the patient is moved to ICU where a technician monitors the patient until it is safe to remove its breathing tube. The patient’s vitals are monitored for several hours by which time the patient is generally recovered from the anesthesia. Surgery patients that have been castrated are typically released the same day so they do not need to stay overnight. Detailed aftercare instructions are given on discharge and a recheck examination is done in 10-14 days to examine incision healing.
What do I need to do the day of surgery?
Please see our page on Admitting and Picking Up Your Pet From Surgery. Our General Surgery and Anesthesia FAQ may also be helpful.
What if my pet is 6 months old and his testicles have not yet descended?
If your pet is cryptorchid (one or both testicles are retained, or undescended, in the abdomen) please make an appointment to consult with Dr. Pasdo.
For additional information please see our recommended links:
Canine Neuter FAQ
Neutering the Male Cat Spay/Neuter Behavior Benefits
