There are a lot of benefits when you control breeding dogs. Although it is good to breed dogs, to populate their breeds, if you can’t afford to take care of them, and can’t control when they are fertile, the solution will be desexing dogs. You don’t only help them control the population but also keep them healthy. Instead of focusing on bare pups, keeping them well can help prolong their life and live happily.
What is desexing?
Desexing is a term for interventions that suppress fertility in dogs. It is surgically removing the ovaries or testes. It has been promoted for several advantages:
- control
- health benefits
- behavior modification
Surprisingly, the current evidence shows no impact of desexing on population size. The effect of desexing females is to keep free-roaming dogs.
Desexing has constantly been shown to change several health risks, including:
- reduction in pyometra
- mammary tumor risk
- cranial cruciate ligament rupture risk
- several forms of cancer
- obesity in both sexes
The other health effects may vary considerably, between the sexes and breeds. The lifespan advantage in a desexed dog is shown in females, while the evidence is inconsistent in males. You can get more literature on the behavioral effects in males than in females. The evidence suggests:
- reduced libido
- roaming
- conspecific mounting
- urinary marking
- reduced male dog aggression
The decision to desex dogs needs to be individualized. Desexing in short is a surgical procedure of removing reproductive organs. In female dogs, desexing is spaying and involves partial or complete removal of:
- uterus
- uterine horns
- ovaries
In male dogs, testicles are removed called ‘castration’.
What is the right age for a dog to be desexed?
Dogs are often recommended to be desexed between 5.5 months to 6 months. It fixes any malocclusions because of the retained baby teeth by removing them at the same time to dex them.
When to desexed dogs?
It is essential to discuss with the vet when the ideal time to desex a dog is. The average age that vets recommend desexing is around six months of age. For the large breed dogs, it is greater than 50 kg. There is evidence that delaying desexing until maturity like over 1 year age helps protect against:
- cancers
- urinary incontinence
- obesity
It is essential to consider the time of desexing to talk to a vet and weigh the pros and cons. You may not be aware of how beneficial desexing dogs is, but once you talk with a vet, you will get a clear idea about it. If you love your pet and you understand the benefits of desexing, perhaps, you will decide to have the surgery for your fur.
How long does it take for dogs to recover from desexing?
Recovering from desexing takes 10 to 14 days. For the first 24 hours, the pet is quieter than usual, the effects of the anesthetic wear off, while some pets bounce back to normal quickly. Just like humans, some dogs can easily recover from a surgical procedure. If your dog is now at the right age to get desexing, you decide now.
