What is a dog neuter? The contents and purpose of the surgery [For first-time owners]

Neutering is often recommended when you first get a male dog.
Some owners may feel unsure about whether neutering is necessary or whether it's dangerous for the dog.

When you hear the word "surgery," you may think of the risks, but neutering has significant benefits that outweigh the risks.
When you get a dog, just like with humans, it's important to find a regular vet. Even healthy dogs should visit the vet regularly for vaccinations and health checkups. If your dog is a puppy, neutering is often recommended at that time.

This article is for those who have a general understanding of castration surgery but are still anxious. We will introduce the procedure, purpose, and risks of castration surgery.
If you are still anxious about castration surgery, this article will help you alleviate your fears.

What is Castration Surgery?

Neutering is a surgical procedure to remove a dog's testicles.
The dog is given general anesthesia, and the skin around the testicles is removed. Unlike spaying and neutering female dogs, spaying and neutering does not require an abdominal incision, so recovery is said to be quicker. Therefore, the procedure can generally be performed on an outpatient basis.

Although there are risks associated with inserting a scalpel and undergoing general anesthesia, we recommend neutering your dog if you have no plans to breed it. Neutering offers benefits such as preventing reproductive diseases, reducing marking, and reducing stress in dogs.

Purpose of Neutering

Neutering is generally performed to prevent reproductive diseases and control estrus behavior in dogs. Neutering removes a dog's testicles, rendering it incapable of reproduction. Once a male's reproductive ability is lost, he will no longer become aroused by the presence of a female in heat, which helps to curb problem behaviors caused by sexual arousal. Removing the testicles also helps prevent reproductive system diseases such as epididymitis and testicular tumors. Neutering may also be performed for therapeutic purposes in cases where a dog already has a testicular disorder. Neutering can be particularly effective in terms of disease prevention and treatment. As such, neutering is performed for a variety of purposes. While there are risks associated with general anesthesia and the surgery itself, undergoing the surgery offers many benefits, including disease prevention and treatment and the suppression of problem behaviors. If you're considering neutering, consider it carefully.

Castration Surgery Procedure

① Pre-examination

The pre-examination checks whether your dog is fit to withstand surgery and general anesthesia, and whether it has any medical conditions.
The following tests are mainly performed:

When neutering a dog, multiple procedures may be performed simultaneously.
Dental treatments such as the extraction of baby teeth and procedures for cryptorchidism are often performed at the same time.
Since these procedures require general anesthesia, performing them at the same time as neutering reduces the stress on the dog.

The Meaning and Risks of General Anesthesia

Unlike humans, dogs cannot remain still during treatment.
Performing procedures while a dog is still mobile could lead to serious injuries.
For this reason, general anesthesia is commonly used for dental treatments and examinations.
While general anesthesia is essential for dogs to receive treatment safely, it does carry the risk of side effects.
It's best to perform procedures that can be performed simultaneously together to minimize the number of times your dog needs general anesthesia.

Baby Tooth Extraction

Baby teeth that should be removed but aren't can lead to periodontal disease.
Baby teeth that remain after about 7 months of age rarely fall out naturally.
If your dog still has baby teeth, we recommend having them removed at a veterinary clinic.
Since baby tooth extraction requires general anesthesia, it's best to have it done at the same time as the neutering procedure.

Treatment for Cryptorchidism (Undescended Testicles)

Treatment for cryptorchidism also requires general anesthesia, so it is recommended that it be performed at the same time as castration.
In male dogs, the testicles usually descend into the scrotum around 30 days after birth.
However, in rare cases, the testicles may not descend into the scrotum. This is called cryptorchidism.
Cryptorchidism has a high potential for future tumor development, so it is generally treated by surgical removal.

Summary

Many pet owners feel anxious before neutering.
Because of the risks associated with surgery and general anesthesia, some may be hesitant to have their pet neutered.
However, neutering prevents disease and eliminates unnecessary stress caused by sexual urges.
Furthermore, it is not healthy for males who are not planning to breed to be unable to release the stress of sexual urges.
Accumulated stress can increase aggression in dogs, creating a painful environment for the dog.
Therefore, neutering surgery can be said to have benefits that outweigh the risks.
Choose a reputable veterinary clinic and create a safe environment for both you and your dog by having your dog neutered.