Neutering or neutering the male dog is the process of suppressing the dog’s ability to reproduce. It suppresses the production of sex hormones (and in particular testosterone) or the emission of sperm preventing it from reproducing. It is the testicles that secrete sex hormones in dogs. They also make sperm.

There are different methods of castration in dogs. Some methods are permanent, others are temporary and reversible.

Surgical castration involves removing the dog’s testicles. To castrate a dog, the testicles are made to come out through an opening, made with a scalpel, in front of the scrotum (envelope of skin around the testicles). The castration incisions are usually small and the dog is not in pain. He can go home the night of the surgery. It is a definitive castration method and it suppresses the secretion of sex hormones in the dog’s body.

So-called “chemical” castration methods are available today. They are generally reversible. Indeed, as soon as the product (generally the equivalent of a hormone) is eliminated from the dog’s body, its effects disappear. The dog then resumes its initial behavior and its ability to reproduce. This chemical castration exists as an injection or an implant under the skin (much like a microchip for dog identification). These are acts, such as surgical castration, which are performed by a veterinarian.

Dog neutering may be necessary when certain so-called hormone-dependent diseases cannot be cured if the dog is not neutered and the testes continue to secrete sex hormones.

Prostate diseases are one of them. They cause what is called prostatic syndrome:

• abdominal pain
• pain on digital rectal examination
• urinary disorders
• tenesmus (pain and difficulty in defecation)
• a limp
• impairment of the general condition with depression, fever and possibly a dog that does not eat (dog anorexia).

These associated symptoms suggest to the veterinarian a prostate disease such as benign hyperplasia, prostatic abscess, cyst or prostate tumor in dogs. To make the diagnosis, an ultrasound and sometimes a puncture is done. Part of the treatment involves castrating the dog chemically (or giving tablets containing hormones) or permanently surgically.

Other diseases are influenced by hormones secreted by the testes and require castration:

• Testicular tumors and hormone-dependent tumors (such as the circumanaloma of the uncastrated dog).
• Obstructions of the urethra requiring urethrostomy. The urethra is closed to the skin by removing the penis and testicles.
• Hormone-dependent anal fistulas.
• Perineal hernias.
• Hormone-dependent skin diseases.

Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages of neutering the dog:

• Weight gain.

Benefits of dog castration:

• Reduces the risk of running away.
• Limit behavioral problems with other dogs.
• Limits risky behavior and excitement in the presence of bitches in heat.
• Prevents the appearance of prostate diseases.

It is sometimes advisable to sterilize a dominant dog or a aggressive dog.In all cases, it will be necessary to combine chemical or surgical castration with educational efforts.

There is no ideal age to neuter your dog, they can be castrated from the age of 5 months.

When the dog is neutered (definitively or not), he risks gaining weight. Consider switching to a special diet for a neutered dog. You can also increase his daily exercise in addition to prevent him from becoming obese.