Sterilization of dogs: pluses and minuses, consultations of a veterinarian

Probably every owner, when he starts a pet, thinks about keeping his ability to reproduce or sterilize his offspring. On the one hand, sterilization is not a very humane method, since you deprive the animal of the functions inherent in nature itself. On the other hand, this is a fairly simple operation, which rarely causes complications, but solves many problems at once. This is, first of all, a seasonal change in the behavior of the animal, its escape from the house, as well as pregnancy and feeding of the bitch. Important is the question of finding owners for puppies, as well as their content and feeding. As you can see, it is sometimes much easier to once venture on an operation, but to rid yourself of many problems forever. However, today we would like to fully consider such a problem as the sterilization of dogs, the pros and cons of it, as well as learn the opinion of veterinarians.

When should I abandon the idea of sterilization

First of all, if you take a thoroughbred pedigree dog that has all the chances to win in the exhibition rings. Such individuals are very expensive, and, of course, it makes sense to use them for breeding in order to get pure-bred offspring. If you need a friend, it's not so important whether he has a pedigree and what titles his relatives had. Therefore, long before the appearance of your pet, think about what plans you have with it, so that later there would be less disappointment.

What you need to know the future owner

Try to seek advice only from literate filmmakers or veterinarians. Asking advice from friends on the paddock, you risk listening to various speculations that are not true. In particular, very often the opinion is passed among the dog-sitters that the bitch for his health must necessarily be at least once in his life. In fact, this is a completely groundless statement. Moreover, if the owner of an adult dog, who is over six years old, heard it and, having become frightened, decided not to delay any more, such late births are fraught with much more serious complications than the sterilization of dogs. Pros and cons of this procedure should tell only a competent doctor, so do not trust the health of the pet to non-professionals.

The second common myth is familiar to the owners of males. You will definitely be advised to untie the dog as early as possible, so that he gets a heavier backbone, began to guard more strictly the house, that is, from a gay puppy turned into a formidable and stern guard. In fact, mating will not help here, males usually grow after two years, and skeleton depends solely on genetic features. But you will definitely have more problems. The untied male will search for the female all his life, tiring the owner by the persecution of any bitch. Therefore, if such individuals are not breeding animals, from which it is important to get offspring, then a sterilization of dogs will be a good way for you. Pros and cons will be considered in detail so that you can well imagine the consequences of your decision.

The main advantages of sterilization for the host bitch

Of course, every loving owner worries about his pet and wants to collect all the information about the upcoming operation. This is the right approach, because we alone are responsible for those who have been tamed.

So, the sterilization of dogs, the pros and cons of surgery. Of course, in the first place, the decision must be made by the attending physician on the basis of the examination of the animal and the conclusion about the state of its health. What advantages can be distinguished if a decision is made in favor of the operation?

First of all, the problems associated with the pregnancy of the dog and subsequent childbirth disappear. And, most importantly, the owner will not have to think about what to do with undesirable offspring (in modern realities it is difficult to say what will be humane - to destroy or "hand out", condemning many to homeless life). An important financial aspect. The operation is not free, but it saves the owner from caring for the pregnant and bitchy puppy and puppies, which is much more expensive.

Behavior of an animal

Walking on the street becomes much calmer, the males lose interest in the sterilized individual, as her estrus ceases. The risk of developing breast tumors is several times lower. This is not the only health problem that this operation allows to solve. In some cases, this reduces to almost zero the risk of various diseases of the genital organs, including malignant neoplasms. Veterinary clinics in Moscow perform this operation at the highest level, excluding the possibility of complications. Especially effective it will be, if you hold it before the first heat.

An additional plus is always noted by urban residents. Studying puppies in a close apartment is not an easy task, and so many easily agree that it is much better to avoid this experience, and the most effective way is to sterilize dogs. The price of this operation is not so high, everyone can afford it. In addition, this measure immediately solves the problem of cleaning the bitch during the heat.

The main advantages of sterilization for the dog owner

In fact, only the relatively bitches can use the term "operation". Sterilization of dogs may not be cavity, if it concerns males. In this case, the entire procedure is reduced to the removal of the testes. After the rehabilitation process is over, the animal becomes less prone to attacks of aggression, which means that it will less often fight with relatives and get injured. You can no longer be afraid of venereal sarcoma, which is transmitted sexually and leads to the formation of tumor growths.

Sterilized dog will not run away from home, driven by instincts, and the owner will not have to look for him. There is no need to swear with neighbors, the dog becomes calm after sterilization, it does not howl and does not rush in search of a partner, does not urinate in unauthorized places, practically does not react to relatives who are suitable during the walk.

A common plus for dogs of both sexes: sterilization by almost 20% increases the life span of your pet. And in some cases it is noted that almost to death the dog remains playful and mobile. If you do not want to engage in professional breeding, give the pet 3-4 additional years of life, because they measured not too much time.

Sterilization as a social necessity

Today, the problem of abandoned and homeless animals is particularly acute. Shelters, organized for the donations of citizens, can not accept all four-legged, who need help. Therefore, animal advocates carry out actions of regional scale, catching stray dogs, sterilizing and healing them, and then release them back. In some yards, booths are put, and local residents feed their inhabitants together. Is humane in this case the sterilization of dogs? Pros and cons are obvious. Of course, this does not solve the problem, the animal remains on the street, but it will not bring puppies twice a year, which means that the population of stray animals will grow smaller and not larger.

Contraindications to sterilization

Despite the apparent ease, this procedure is a surgical intervention that leads to irreversible consequences. Veterinary clinics in Moscow offer you a full range of services, from primary diagnosis and examination to postoperative rehabilitation. If you turn to professionals, the recovery process after the intervention will be fast enough, but the doctor will certainly warn you about a number of contraindications.

Because of the peculiarities of the structure of the body, there are rocks for which this operation can turn into serious complications. Usually they include pugs and bulldogs. Carefully choose an experienced surgeon, he will be able to tell you in detail what sterilization of dogs is. The price in this case is not a guarantee that you will manage to avoid complications. The doctor will have to evaluate medical contraindications, take into account cardiovascular insufficiency and renal dysfunction, therefore in the risk zone first of all animals older than 5 years.

It is highly discouraged to perform this operation during pregnancy and estrus, nursing bitches. There must be serious evidence that the doctor undertook sterilization under the described conditions.

The main disadvantages that a loving owner should know about

Like all surgical interventions, it has its shortcomings and sterilization of dogs. The feedback of many hosts suggests that the most unpleasant consequence is incontinence. Indeed, this happens quite often, and this complication develops some time after the operation, so, at first glance, it is not associated with it. In fact, everything is easy to explain, if you turn to physiology. From the abdomen, the uterus and the ovaries are removed, which forms a cavity into which the bladder moves. As a result, the ailments of the urinary system of varying severity develop. In addition, the development of this complication and hormonal restructuring. But for the most part this is true for dogs of large breeds, weighing more than 30 kg. Hormonal restructuring, in turn, leads to the development of obesity, so now you will need to carefully monitor your pet's diet.

The operation itself is a risk factor. The seam in the dog after sterilization can be suppurated or disperse, there is a risk of bleeding and infection, inflammation, and the formation of a hernia. We should not forget that sterilization is carried out under general anesthesia, which gives a load to the organism of the pet. The heart is at particular risk. Finally, there are data from cynologists that conditioned reflexes in sterilized dogs are produced somewhat worse, which means that one should think about when to sterilize a dog.

Surgical sterilization of bitches often has a minimal health risk and does not carry additional complications. But for a male, this operation always leads to disturbances in the dog's health, regardless of the age at which the operation is performed.

Optimal age

For medical reasons, this operation can be done throughout the life of the pet. However, if we talk about the prevention of diseases and pregnancy, as well as the correction of behavior, it becomes clear that it is better to expose young dogs to it. But here the opinions diverge. They veterinarians believe that it is optimal to do it to puppies at 2 months old. Others argue that in this case, the development of the pet slows down, there may be a lag in growth, as well as learning difficulties. Therefore, it is considered that it is best to prepare for the operation an animal that is 12 months old. It is at this age that dogs are best sterilized. The age of one year is usually marked by the first heat, just after it ends you can go to the vet.

After operation

We have already touched on the cost of the operation. In clinics in Moscow, you give for it from 1000 to 2000 rubles, which is not so expensive, given all the advantages that gives the sterilization of dogs. Caring for the pet after the operation is quite troublesome, you will have to be patient. You have to do every day dressings, track the condition of the animal. If you notice a festering or unpleasant odor under the bandage, this is an excuse to immediately go to the doctor. An animal on the first days may be sluggish, but if the pet completely abandoned food, it is also a worrying sign.

As the dog's condition normalizes, it's time to bring life back to normal. So, again you need to walk a lot and eat right. It is best to make rice, white meat and fish as the basis of nutrition after the operation. Sutures are usually removed 10-12 days after the operation. By this time, minor physical exertions have already been allowed. Further life smoothly enters the usual course.

What you need to pay attention to

Even a professional doctor can not always provide for all the nuances, so it is rare, but complications still occur. What should be on alert after the dogs were sterilized? Heat is a nonsense for a sterile bitch, but such phenomena occur. This suggests that the operation was carried out with some violations. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is necessary, so that it is possible to draw conclusions about the condition of the pet and the necessary further treatment. Sometimes there is another phenomenon: a sterile bitch continues to knit. This also speaks of the lack of professionalism of the doctor who conducted the operation. Therefore, before entrusting the life and health of your pet to doctors, collect reviews about doctors and clinics, weigh all the pros and cons, and only then draw conclusions.