If you recall, the late Bob Barker pleaded with “The Price Is Right” viewers to neuter or spay their pets. But what exactly is dog neutering, and why is it so crucial that a TV host reminds viewers of it at the conclusion of each program?
Dog neutering, which entails having their testicles surgically removed, is only done on male dogs (female dogs are spayed; learn more about that here). The procedure has numerous advantages, from decreasing pet overpopulation to lowering the risk of testicular cancer in dogs. Some dogs adopted from animal shelters and rescue groups have already undergone neutering surgery. However, in some circumstances, the decision to schedule the surgery rests with you, the pet owner.
Today, we’ll discuss the advantages of dog neutering, how to get your dog ready for surgery, what to expect during the procedure, and aftercare advice.
One of the main advantages of a neutered dog is that it typically cannot reproduce, which helps to prevent pet overpopulation. Although it’s amusing to imagine adorable puppies running around everywhere, there is only so much space in homes and shelters for dogs. Overcrowding in shelters may lead to unwanted animals being euthanized. Neutering dogs helps reduce homeless dogs and euthanasia.
Dog neutering carries some inherent risks and side effects, just like any surgical procedure. These include:
The good news is that by adhering to your veterinarian’s neutering aftercare instructions and giving your dog their prescribed medications, most of these risks can be avoided. Additionally, your veterinarian can usually easily manage the complications listed above if your dog does experience any of them.
When deciding whether to have your dog neutered, there are some additional factors to take into account in addition to these inherent risks. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), heavier dogs who are neutered prior to the age of one face higher health risks, such as an increased risk of joint conditions and some cancers. Therefore, the 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines advise neutering large breed male dogs when their growth ceases (roughly between 9 and 15 months).
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) concurs, noting that there isn’t a universally applicable recommendation for neutering all dogs. Each pup should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Do Neutered Dogs Miss Their Balls?
It’s a typical query, and there are numerous explanations for why owners may believe their dog will or does miss their testicles.
Replacement Testicles
A 1995 invention by an American inventor called “Neuticles” gave dogs artificial testicles. The fake testicles, which provide all the advantages of castration while maintaining the appearance of natural testicles, can be implanted concurrently with a standard castration, though they can also be implanted at a later time, according to their website. According to their creator, “many pet owners find [castration] uncomfortable.” They are constantly reminded of their surgical decision by their pet’s permanently altered appearance. This discomfort might be made worse by remarks made by strangers who incorrectly identify the pet’s gender. According to the Neuticles website, “Neuticles helps the pet and pet owner cope with trauma associated with altering and allows your precious pet to retain his natural look and self-esteem.”
Worldwide, more than 500,000 have been sold, including to famous dogs owned by actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Kim Kardashian. The website also offers replacement eyes and items that resemble cropped erect ears.
Note that all of the aforementioned justifications for the use of Neuticles are either anthropomorphisms with no basis in reality or owner preferences. Fortunately, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the United Kingdom supports our position and notes that “insertion of prosthetic testicles is not a procedure that benefits the animal and is not in the animal’s interests… The RCVS advice is that the procedure is unethical.” Additionally, they expressed worry that it might enable owners to misrepresent whether their dog is whole or not. Therefore, the procedure is not legal in the UK.
To reiterate, there is no physiological or psychological justification for a dog to require artificial testicles. Since the owner stands to gain from every perceived benefit, their implantation is pointless and self-serving. The dog shouldn’t be castrated if the owner has any concerns about how their dog will look after the procedure. However, please remember that the benefits usually outweigh the downsides. We advise our readers who live in countries where neuticles are legal to rethink their decision, speak with their veterinarian about the castration procedure, and consider how it will affect their dog afterward. As a side note, the Kennel Club changed their rules so that neutered dogs can now be displayed at dog shows.
Can you neuter a dog without removing testicles?
The answer depends on your definition of neutering. You cannot surgically neuter a dog without removing their testicles. However, it is possible to perform chemical castration and keep the testicles intact. Dogs can also be sterilized without neutering.
Sterilization and neutering are frequently used interchangeably, which furthers the confusion. Let’s examine male dog sterilization techniques in more detail.
Zeuter is essentially a form of chemical castration. An injection is given into each testicle of your dog instead of surgically removing them.
Unfortunately, Zeuter was removed from the market in 2016. The straightforward procedure gave dogs a castration-alternative and allowed them to retain 50% of their testosterone. In recent years, we’ve learned more about the advantages of testosterone for health. Perhaps another similar product will eventually have more success.
The only widely used alternative to neuter surgery at this time is vasectomy. A few other options exist, but they are rare.
Similar procedures are used to perform a canine vasectomy as they are for humans. The sperm is transported from the testicles into the vas deferens where it is then released as ejaculate. When these tubes are cut or clipped, sperm cannot exit the testicles. The inability of the sperm to leave the testes prevents them from fertilizing an egg or making a woman pregnant.
Although it is a less complex procedure than neutering, a vasectomy also requires anesthesia. More importantly, it preserves the testicles and their testosterone production. Recent studies have shown that maintaining testosterone may be advantageous for physical and hormonal reasons, so pet owners may want to think about this.
FAQ
Do dogs balls disappear after neutering?
The scrotal sac is not removed, but it typically vanishes after a few months. Your dog will be kept overnight following surgery so that he can emerge peacefully and fully from anesthesia in a controlled setting. After 10 a.m., you can pick him up. m. the following day.
Why does my dog still have a sack after neuter?
If the dog is young when neutering, the empty scrotum will flatten out as the animal gets older. If he is mature when neutered, the empty scrotum will still be visible as a skin flap. Sometimes the incision is mildly bruised.
Where do dogs balls go when neutered?
Veterinarian Georgina Ushi Phillips confirms that testicles are frequently disposed of in the regular trash, despite what may initially seem surprising.