I wish someone educated me on neutering when I got my first dog. It could’ve saved me so much trouble.
For starters, my dog ended up mating with my neighbor’s dog which was a huge inconvenience because none of us is a breeder.
My dog was also super energetic, which was a big issue because I lived in an apartment then. This is actually how I came to learn about neutering. I researched and consulted veterinaries in my areas about all the myths and facts of neutering and I have all the answers now.
So, if you’re thinking about spaying or neutering your dog, you’re in the right company. We will discuss everything, including the dog neutering cost.
What is Neutering?
Neutering, also known as ‘fixing’ or castrating of a male dog, is when a dog’s testicles are removed.
This prevents your dog from getting unwanted pregnancies. It also helps in controlling their other male behavioral instincts.
What is the difference between neutering and spaying?
Many pet parents refer to neutering and spaying as ‘fixing’ their pets. Well, the results of both processes are the same, but the procedures are different.
Spaying refers to removing the uterus and ovaries of a female dog, while neutering is the removal of a male dog’s balls.
Although both are minor surgical processes and only take an hour, spaying can be a little complex compared to neutering.
How Much Does It Cost to Neuter a Dog?
It’s really hard to have a single number for the procedure because it depends on many factors.
However, the neutering dog costs between $35-$350. Some factors that may cause the price change include the dog size, breed, age, health condition, location, and the neuter clinic you choose.
Also, you may have to incur a separate cost for evaluation to ensure your dog is fit for neutering. This may include some blood work, physical exam, anesthesia as well as post-surgery care.
Ideally, it’s best to let your dog’s regular veterinarian perform the procedure as they’re best equipped and understand your pet.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, don’t shy away from taking your dog to a low-cost clinic. Nowadays, the staff is well-trained, and you’ll get the same services as a full-service clinic.
How Much Does It Cost to Spay a Dog?
As mentioned earlier, spaying involves removing a female’s dog uterus and ovaries.
Just like neutering, they’re several factors that go into deciding the cost of spaying a dog. They include your location, vet clinic choice, the age, size, breed, and health condition of your dog, etc.
However, on average, spaying a dog cost between $50-500. It’s slightly expensive compared to neutering because it’s a little complex.
In private clinics, the procedure cost involves blocking your dog’s nerves, bloodwork, observation during and after surgery. If your dog has health conditions, it may cost you an extra $100-$200 because it’s considered a complicated surgery and may require more blood work.
Similarly, if your dog is a Great Dane, you’ll probably pay more to have your dog spayed than someone with a maltase. Large dog breeds take up more surgery time, more aesthesia, and more pain meds.
Benefits of Spaying/Neutering Your Dog
They’re so many benefits of spaying and neutering your dog. Some of them include:
Curbing pet overpopulation
Dogs are animals and they don’t know how to control their urges or use family planning methods.
Many pet parents lack the financial ability or time to take care of a whole litter of pups, so they abandon them in the streets or animal shelters.
I’m sure you’ve seen how malfunctioned and flea-infested most of these pets are. Most of them end up dying from road accidents, while others die from malnutrition.
Spaying and neutering a dog is one way you can ensure they’re no more homeless dogs in the streets.
Behavioral benefits
For starters, spaying your female dogs ensures they don’t get on heat. And for male dogs, neutering them protects them from roaming around looking for female dogs, which may lead to injuries or getting lost.
Also, they’re some annoying behaviors that early neutering can solve, like male dogs marking their territory. It’s so frustrating as it involves peeing on all corners of your house; it’s like having an un-untrained puppy all over again!
Neutering can also help control some aggressive behaviors, especially in male dogs that come with expressing dominance. This includes mounting other dogs, people, or objects.
Medical benefits
Neutered and spayed dogs live a fuller and healthier life. For example, spayed dogs have no risk of getting uterine infections and mammary tumors. On the other hand, neutering a dog prevents them from getting prostate issues and testicular cancer.
When to Spay or Neuter a Dog
There are several factors that determine the best age to neuter your dog. The veterinary community advises pet owners at 6 months for small dogs and at least 14 months for large breeds. This is to ensure that their bones are fully developed before the neutering.
The reasoning behind this is that neutering helps in preventing some annoying behavior patterns. And waiting for a long time may allow them to develop, meaning the neutering results would be insignificant.
They’re also other reasons that would lead to older dogs being neutered at an older age. For example, if a male dog keeps producing dogs that end up sickly or develop testicular cancer or other reproductive illnesses, it’s best to neuter it. This helps in bringing an end to their lineage.
Veterinary Hospitals Vs. Low-Cost Clinics
The choice between taking your dog to a low-cost clinic or a veterinary clinic depends on a few factors.
The top factors include the level of comfort you want your pet to have, their safety, and your financial ability.
Veterinary clinics charge more because the cost includes intravenous fluids, antibiotics, high-quality anesthetic, anesthesia monitoring equipment, and pain medications. The vet will also put a cone collar to prevent your dog from scratching its sutures. This comes at a higher cost but simply means your dog is safer.
On the other hand, low-cost spay and neuter clinics are mainly financed by charity organizers and well-wishers. This means that they do not have enough resources to buy high-quality equipment and enough personnel. However, the low-cost clinics do neuter procedures in large orders like 20 dogs a day. This means the professionals are very experienced in carrying out the procedure.
Misconceptions About the Neutering Procedure
They’re very many misconceptions about dog neutering. The main common ones that discourage pet owners from neutering their dogs are that their dogs will gain unwanted weight & change their personalities.
Well, the good news is that none of these are true. Your dog may indeed require fewer calories than they did before they were neutered. But that’s because they’re neutered when transitioning from puppy to adult, and their metabolism is naturally slowing down. Therefore, after neutering your dog adjust their diet accordingly, exercise them enough and check their diet.
The other deal-breaker is that your dog will be less playful and have a different personality. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Neutering your dog makes them more sociable as it corrects their aggressive behavior. The only thing it eliminates is annoying issues such as marking the house.
Is Spay and Neuter Surgery Risky?
Like any other surgical procedure, it’s possible that a neutering surgery process can go wrong. For example, putting an older dog or one with a health issue under anesthesia can lead to unpleasant results.
However, these risks can be avoided through physical examinations and blood work before the procedure. This will allow your vet to advise on the way forward or postpone the procedure when your dog is fit for the procedure.
However, most spaying and neutering surgery go smoothly.
Pre-Neuter Surgery Preparation
Just like human beings, you need to make sure your dog is ready for neutering.
Some of the things that help prepare them to include taking them for blood work and physical examination. As expected, this is more critical if your dog has been diagnosed with other health conditions before.
You’ll also need to consult with your vet about the feeding habits of your dog before surgery. In most cases, the vet will ask you not to feed your dog for certain hours before surgery.
However, if your dog is currently on medications that require them to feed, be sure to mention it to the vet. They may advise you to postpone the surgery until they’re done with meds, stop giving them meds, or feed them with a certain diet.
How to Take Care of a Neutered Dog
After your dog has been spayed or neutered, they might be feeling a bit off, so it’s important you support them through their recovery period.
Some of the things you can do for them include:
Organize a quiet environment for them to rest
It will take 24 hours or more for the anesthetic to wear off, so they’ll be experiencing some side effects during this period.
They might suffer from lethargy, lack of movement coordination, moodiness, and other temporary unusual behaviors.
Keeping your pet from kids and noise will allow them to rest.
Don’t force them to eat
I know you want your dog to feed well, especially now that they’re sick. However, like humans, a surgery may leave your dog nauseous and a little queasy.
If they don’t want to eat, let them be. However, ensure they’re well-hydrated by making sure they can access water easily.
Get them a collar cone
Your dog may feel itchy and scratch the incision area, which could cause an infection.
To avoid this, ensure you get them a collar cone and distract them from ensuring they don’t hurt themselves.
If the area becomes sore, red, or inflamed, take them to the vet.
Restrict their movement
This may be very hard, especially with puppies, because they’re full of energy.
In this case, consider investing in a crate and filling them with goodies to keep them entertained.
This may seem cruel, but it will help speed up the healing process for your pup.
Ensure they’re on a leash
If your dog is disciplined, you probably walk with them without a leash. However, they may go running or climbing areas with trees that might re-open their incision.
Therefore, it’s crucial to use a leash whenever they’re out during their recovery period.
How Long Will My Dog Be in Pain After Neutering?
Well, your dog won’t be in pain per-say because the vet will recommend some pain medication and antibiotics to help manage the pain and prevent infections.
However, your dog might be a bit uneasy for the first seven days. When you pick them up, you may notice they’re calm more than usual and a bit moody. They may also not have an appetite, and they may not be their usual joyful self.
This is completely normal, but consider talking to your vet if you realize that your dog still has some discomfort or pain after a week.
Dog Neutering Cost (Conclusion)
They’re many misconceptions about neutering that discourage many dog owners from going through with it.
However, dog spaying or neutering is safe and beneficial to you and your dog. They become gentler, which is important, especially if you have kids.
I hope this article gave you all insights you needed about neutering your dog, and you’re ready to book an appointment with your vet.
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