Dog Sterilization in Pune – VOSD

VOSD Pune focuses on Spay & Neuter of Stray Dogs

Spaying and Neutering of Dogs – Why Is It Important?

It has always been a topic of discussion in the dog lover community whether the pets should be neutered/spayed or not. Some agree to it given the benefits, while some don’t. So, before we discuss the benefits of dog sterilization, let us first get an overview of the terms.

As per definition, Spaying is the surgical process of removing the reproductive organs of the female dog, while neutering is the process of removing male dog’s testicles. 

Benefits of Sterilizing Dogs

A dog that has been spayed/neutered cannot breed. This eliminates the chances of an overpopulation of dogs due to excessive breeding. Their chances of contracting a contagious disease or involving in a traumatic accident are also minimized as spayed animals are less aggressive. 

In male dogs, the chance of developing prostate or testicular cancer and hernia are considerably lower in a neutered male dog. The neutered dogs are generally more passive, however, this does not affect their protective instinct which is a concern that many have, especially with guard dogs.

In female dogs, the heat cycle usually lasts twenty-one days, twice a year, in this period the females usually howl to attract male dogs which may cause a nuisance to those living in the vicinity. However, once the neutering is done, the female dogs are much quieter and less aggressive. They also show lower signs of breast cancer (the rate falls to zero if female dog neutering is done before their first heat cycle). Chances of uterus infection, behavioural changes and mood swings, and messy spotting, etc. gets reduced too.

Neutering of Dogs: Your Questions Answered

What is the ideal age to neuter/spay a dog?

Vets believe that the best age to neuter a male dog is under 6 -12 months of age. If you’ve adopted a female dog and are pondering when to spay a female dog, the vets suggest waiting at least till they cross 6 months of age.

How expensive is the neutering process?

The average cost to spay a dog falls anywhere in the bracket of INR 5k to INR 10k while a general checkup can cost you around INR 1k per month. In most cases, dog neutering/sterilization cost is clubbed with a rabies vaccination and dysentery that goes up to INR 200 per shot.

What are the risks associated with getting a dog spayed?

The process of spaying mostly occurs in female dogs and involves the surgical removal of reproductive organs from their insides. However, it’s imperative that you know and understands the following risks associated with the process:

• Increases the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), orthopaedic disorders, and might have an adverse reaction to vaccinations
• If spaying is done before 1 year of age, it increases the risk of contracting a bone cancer
• The probability of the dog getting obese gets higher

What are the myths surrounding the dog neutering/spaying process?

These are the two most common myths that circulate in the pet owners:

The pets will not become overweight if spayed

Your dog can easily gain weight if they aren’t indulging in any physical exercise (walking/running, etc.). So, control their diet, keep them fit and strong by regular exercise, and also monitor their food intake to keep a tab on their calorie intake.

Neutering fixes all behavioural issues

Dog neutering is just a surgical process that minimizes undesirable behaviour by lowering down the count of testosterone levels within the body. It’s not a foolproof guarantee that the dog will undergo a sudden behavioural change after he gets neutered.