Desexing Male Dogs

Desexing your male dog will prevent them from fathering any puppies and dull down their interest in female dogs when they are in season, which can prevent your dog from misbehaving when around females. In some male dogs, being desexed can reduce aggressive and boisterous behaviour, which can make them easier to work with and train, and it can also make them less territorial.

The Desexing Procedure

Before your dog is desexed, your vet will carry out a physical examination to ensure they are healthy. This is done because the procedure involves having a general anaesthetic and dogs that have this type of anaesthetic when they are ill have an increased chance of experiencing a complication.

On the day of your dog's procedure, you will drop them off at the vet surgery and the anaesthetic will be administered right before the procedure begins. The vet will make a small incision in your dog's scrotum and their testicles will be removed. The incision will then be sutured and your dog will remain at the vet for observation for a couple of hours. When you collect your dog you can expect them to still be drowsy from the anaesthetic, but this will wear off by the next day. Your dog will be able to eat and drink as normal when you take them home, and if their sutures are not dissolvable they will have them taken out in around a week.

The Recovery Period

Desexing in male dogs is considered a routine procedure and most dogs will recover with no complications. Male dogs tend to recover pretty quickly, and you can expect your dog to be back to their usual self within the week. However, when you take your dog home, you should ensure they have a clean and calm place to rest, and you should try to limit their activity for a couple of days to minimise the risk of their wound opening.

During recovery, you should check their wound daily to ensure it is healing well and does not look infected. Signs of infection include inflammation, severe bruising, redness and the presence of a clear or cloudy discharge. You should contact your vet right away if your dog has any signs of an infection.

Male dogs can be desexed at any age from a few months old onwards. If you're considering having your dog desexed, contact your vet to schedule your dog for the surgery. 

For more info about pet desexing, contact a local professional.