The last time, I shared with you my opinions on castrations in general and I’ve named the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure in bitches. Now, let’s take a look, how it is with dogs.
As I wrote the last time, opponents of castration oftentimes base their opinion on lack of information. Naturally, everyone can make up their mind, I don’t want to persuade anyone to do anything. However, before we even take a stand, it is a good idea to take into account as much available information as possible.
Castration of dogs isn’t as widespread among dog owners in the Czech Republic as the castration of bitches is. However, it can be recommended for all dogs that are not intended for breeding. For example, in the US, around 70% of bitches and dogs have been castrated, and this is for several medical reasons:
Prostate illness
About 60% of dogs are at risk of prostate illness. Enlargement of the prostate causes incontinence (faecal and urinal), perineal hernia (widening of the anus with serious complications), bleeding, issues with evacuation and not in the least, also malignant cancer.
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer occurs in around 40% of dogs. These tumours appear mostly in older dogs, about 9 years of age. Enlargement of the testicle and scrotum appears in the dog. Hormonal changes occur, oestrogen levels increase and as a result, the animal is feminised. By castration, 100% of cases of this disease are prevented, since in castration, testicles are removed.
Tumours of perianal glands
Perianal glands are located around the rectum’s circumference. In older dogs, depending on hormonal changes, it is precisely these glands that oftentimes develop tumours. These types of tumours often relapse, ulcerate and bleed. Castration decreases the risk of this disease by up to 70%.
Undesirable behaviour
Besides that, castration also prevents undesirable sexual behaviour of dogs. Escapes are eliminated, along with copulatory behaviour towards “every living creature”. Castration is also often recommended for limitation of dominant behaviour of a dog and to mitigate aggression. Apart from other things, it reduces dog’s frustration from the impossibility to be serviced. And as we are aware, stress increases the risk of some diseases, for example, cancerous ones.
Negative effects of castration
Of course, that castration also carries possible risks. After all, it’s a surgical procedure. Same as with bitches, it is mainly the risk of narcosis. That’s why it is appropriate to carry out a pre-surgical examination.
Among the most common complications in dog castration belong the bleeding in the place of the surgical wound and swelling of the scrotum. The swelling of the scrotum occurs relatively often. In these cases, it is necessary to see the veterinarian, so that they assess the situation and suggest further approach. However, the treatment is usually simple and without complications. In castrated dogs, urinal incontinence may rarely occur as well.
If it concerns me, the risks of castration in a dog are absolutely insignificant comparing to their positives: same as in a bitch. As I wrote the last time, I speak from my experience. I’ve yet to encounter an animal of my friends that would have some of the after-surgical complications.
And to the contrary, there were plenty of cases when the dog died of a disease, that could have been prevented by castration. This applies mostly to bitches. In case of dogs, I would hear mainly about complications and the necessity of a surgery at a more advanced age – and thereby of also a relatively risky procedure. Despite that, I think, that prevention in the form of castration is a better, safer and cheaper solution.
In these two articles, I aimed to summarise as much information about dog and bitch castration as possible, so that everyone could make up their own mind about this topic with a clear conscience, based on facts. Along with this, I also wanted to present my opinion. I hope, that I’ve achieved both my goals.
Arthritis ranks among the most frequent diseases of the joints in dogs. It is accompanied by pain and limitations for physical activity. And because it cannot be cured I’ll give you some tips how to make the life of your buddy with arthritis easier.
It is nowadays completely normal to have dog restaurants, saloons and spas. People try to indulge their pets with all the luxurious things. Some procedures are more helpful than others. But thalassotherapy is one of those that can have a positive...
Nowadays even our pets are subject to diseases of civilization. Obesity is no good for them as well as for people. Do you know how to tell if your cat is obese and what are its causes and consequences?
The season of ticks is back again and so it is the right time to start protecting our pets. These parasites also bring anaplasmosis except from borreliosis. And the fact that this disease is not generally know does not undermine its serious impacts on...
You, as cat keepers, will probably be frightened when hearing “cat plague”. But precisely this phrase is sometimes used for panleukopenia which is a very dangerous cat disease. You may not only prevent it thanks to information obtained but to identify...
The whiskers on cats’ face are probably too noticeable to ignore them. But do you know all the places where cat’s whiskers with sense of touch are? And do you know how this comprehensive tactile body functions?
As you might know, the assistance dogs help people with various physical or mental disabilities nowadays. But there is a program in the US and in other countries which helps children to improve their reading and communication skills.
We are all try to give our dog companions the best, from health care to the leisure activities. Nutrition is no exception to that and it is prone to modern trends similar to those of regular human food. Reducing or opting out the grain from the diet is...
Whether it has undergone castration or any other surgery, your dog needs to rest more after it. But this can sometimes seem almost impossible. To “force” your beloved pet to rest is not easy, indeed. A few tips how to handle this situation follow.
The last time, I shared with you my opinions on castrations in general and I’ve named the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure in bitches. Now, let’s take a look, how it is with dogs.
Castration is still quite a tricky and discussed topic. Today, I will introduce you to the facts about this procedure and about its consequences and I will also share my opinion.
If you have one of the furry furring balls at home, maybe you know, in what kind of devil some of them are capable of turning into, if you need to give them a pill. If your cat belongs precisely among those, in which it’s almost a superhuman task, I...
