“Orchiectomy” (also called neutering or castration) is the correct term for the surgical procedure done to prevent your male dog from reproducing.  While many responsible dog owners have their females spayed, far too few seem to realize the importance of having their males neutered.

  From the medical standpoint there are many problems in older male dogs that can be easily prevented if he has been neutered.  If one of the testicles has not descended into the scrotum (a genetic disorder known as cryptorchidism), he would stand a much higher chance than normal of developing several different testicular tumors.  Additionally, cryptorchidism is a genetic trait, which means that any male descendant of a cryptorchid animal, or the sons of his female descendants, are at drastically increased risk of being cryptorchid themselves.  Furthermore, unneutered male dogs are at much higher risk of developing perianal adenomas, which are a type of tumor located next to the anus that can grow very large, are unsightly, and have a good chance of becoming very painfully infected as well as interfering with defecation.  Prostate infections, enlargements and tumors are very common in older, uncastrated male dogs and are often very painful for him, causing him to have to strain painfully in order to pass even a small amount of urine and, if it becomes large enough, interfering with defecation as well.  Prostate problems are also quite preventable by having your dog neutered early in life.

  It is important to neuter your dog from a behavioral standpoint as well.  Females are sexually active only twice a year, but males are capable of breeding all year long.  A responsible dog owner certainly would not allow his dog to run loose, however a male does not have to see a bitch in heat to get aroused.  His nose is so sensitive that he can smell a female in heat many blocks away.  You can NOT teach your dog to control his mating instincts.  Even when you have him securely confined to a pen or chained in his own backyard, he will try repeatedly to get loose, dig out, climb over, or do whatever he can to find a way out, sometimes even injuring himself in his quest to find his mate.  Once he does escape, all the perils that kill so many strays can now affect your dog; he could easily be hit by a car, exposed to diseases and parasites, get in a fight or even get shot all while trying to mate with a bitch in season. 

  Neutering your male dog before he becomes sexually mature, which happens at about 6 months of age, will make him easier to train, more devoted to you, and less predisposed to inappropriate levels of aggression but will not reduce his protective instincts.  A neutered male will be less likely to try to dominate you, which your dog may demonstrate by trying to mount you or becoming aggressive toward you.  A neutered dog is healthier, happier and if he is not allowed to breed before he’s neutered he will not have added to the dog population surplus.  Thousands of puppies and dogs being killed in shelters every year. 

  If you have any questions or concerns, call the Council Bluffs Veterinary clinic at 323-2147.   We are open 8-6 Monday through Friday, 8-3 on Saturdays.