-
Anesthesia
-
Animals are anesthetized before being neutered. Gas anesthesia can be stopped at a moment's notice should problems occur during the procedure, whereas injections of anesthesia cannot. For this reason, the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center encourages owners to request that their veterinarian use gas anesthesia.
The Procedure
-
A small incision by scalpel is made on the scrotum. Once the testicles are removed, the stalks are tied and cut off. Sutures are used to sew up the incision. Depending on the veterinarian's policy, the animal may be kept overnight for observation.
Why Neutering Is Done
-
In 2010, The Humane Society reported that an estimated 6 to 8 million homeless animals enter shelters annually, and one out of four of these is purebred. Neutering pets is considered a humane way to decrease the pet population.
Side Effects
-
The production of testosterone continues at a decreased rate after neutering, but the procedure reduces his urge by about 90 percent without affecting his personality. According to The Humane Society, 70 percent of inappropriate mounting desists after the dog is neutered. Urine marking also stops in 50 percent of neutered dogs. The scrotum may look swollen immediately following the procedure but will flatten in time.
When Neutering Is Done
-
In order to be neutered, a pet must be healthy, with all vaccinations current. There is debate on the best age for a pet to be neutered, however, the earliest range is eight to 16 weeks and the most typical is six months of age. Older pets are still eligible for the procedure, but testing in the form of blood work and X-rays may be required by a veterinarian to ensure the animal will respond well to anesthesia.
-
Definition of Neutering
Neutering refers to the sterilization of a male animal. Cats, dogs and rabbits are the most common pets who undergo this veterinary procedure, in which the testicles are removed from the scrotum. Once an animal is neutered, he will no longer be able to sexually reproduce.