Dog Neuter Information

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Neutering your male dog is one way of contributing to the good health and long life of your pet, while preventing increases in the population of unwanted pets. Timing of castration is a source of heated debate in the veterinary world, and Dr. Zimmerman is happy to discuss the various options and theories. The procedure decreases the development of territorial urine marking, testicular tumors, testosterone-related aggression, and prostatitis.
In order to protect your pet and other pets in the hospital, we require that all dogs be current on vaccinations for Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, and Bordetella, be on heartworm preventative, and have had a negative fecal exam within 1 year. We also require a pre-anesthetic blood screening to check for anemia, liver disease, and kidney disease. These diseases can affect the amount or type of anesthesia used. A physical exam will be performed prior to anesthesia. If fleas are noted, your pet will be treated to prevent the spread of fleas to other patients and to prevent contamination of the surgical site.
Canine castration involves the removal of the testicles through a pre-scrotal incision. The pet is under general gas anesthesia, and the procedure is performed in a sterile operating room with heat support and monitoring equipment. As with any general anesthesia, there is a small chance of complications. Most dogs are ready to go home the same day as the surgery. Some dogs require skin sutures and some are given a buried line of sutures just below the skin. If your dog receives skin sutures, a suture removal appointment should be scheduled for 7 to 10 days post operatively.
The neuter estimate includes pre-anesthetic and pain relief medications, intravenous and gas anesthesia, intraoperative monitoring, IV catheter and perioperative fluid therapy, as well as the castration procedure.