Spaying and neutering a dog – what you must be aware of!

Narrated from: Dog Health

Well, the procedure is conducted best under the guidance of your veterinarian – you should listen to the experts, as this is an important operation. Yet there are some things you should be aware of:

When?

It is best to sterilize your dog at a relatively early age. This might sound cruel, but it is in your dog’s best interests to act quickly.

Generally, female dogs are spayed when they are approximately 5 to 7 months old. It would be best to do the procedure before the dog’s first heat cycle. This way you are saving your dog from one of the common problems with female dogs – mammary tumors. Female dogs that are not spayed are seven times more likely to develop this problem at some stage of their lives.

Male dogs should be neutered when they are about 6 months old. However, the procedure could be performed earlier if both testicles are developed.

The clinic

Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures and there is always a risk that something might go wrong. The best way to reduce the risk is to pick a quality clinic. You should check if:

•    the instruments are sterilized after each procedure;

•    reversible gas anesthesia is used – it is considered safer for the dog;

•    the dog is to be hooked to a heart monitor during the procedure;

•    the surgeon scrubs after each procedure;

Laser surgery

There is an alternative to the usual surgical procedure – and that is laser surgery. This a relatively new method, so if you go for laser surgery it would be a good idea to search for a surgeon experienced in this field. Laser surgery is more expensive, but it is considered a safer method. There are still some issues though, as sometimes the treated area actually heals more slowly.

Preparation and after effects

Your dog must be prepared for the procedure. You must not give the dog any food or water after 8.00 pm the previous day – this way your dog will not vomit when it is on the operating table.

After the procedure, your dog will probably feel sick for a few days. Females also take a longer time to recover since spaying is a more serious operation – they should be alright in about 14 days. Your dog should rest and only take light walks. At the beginning, provide a small amount of food – about ¼ of the usual meal.

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