Now we will touch on a topic that is not the most pleasant for many dogs, but nevertheless, each owner should have the most extensive information. That is why in this article we tried to collect a good descriptive theoretical material, and also analyzed all the pros and cons of this procedure.

Some veterinarians believe that neutering dogs significantly affects their mind and behavior. And after this operation, the male can be expected to:

• reducing the principle of dominance over the owner and family members;
• reduce aggression towards other dogs;
• reducing attempts to run away from home;
• decreased attraction, which manifests itself in jumping on people, animals or toys;
• reducing the need to mark the territory in the house.

In fact, if the dog has already formed a character, then the operation is able to change behavior with a probability of 50:50. In half of the cases, castration leads to an immediate result, in the rest - the desired result occurs after a certain amount of time.

Since males have an effect on the brain of sex hormones from birth, the final result does not depend on whether this operation was performed before puberty or after. Problematic behavior can occur both before and after castration.

The behavior of a dog after castration in all cases may differ, and this is not only affected by a reduced amount of testosterone. The circulation of sex hormone after surgery can last from seven hours to six months (maximum year). After this time, the dog will lose interest in sex, but the jumping and mating situations may not stop.

Statistics

The University of California conducted a large-scale survey regarding the results of castration. It shows the following:

Vagrancy:

1. did not change in 10% of cases;

2. decreased in 90% of cases

45% - rapid decrease;

45% - gradual decrease.

Jumping on feet, hands of people:

2. decreased in 60% of cases

30% - rapid decline;

30% gradual reduction.

Manifestation of aggression towards other cables:

1. did not change in 40% of cases;

2. decreased in 60% of cases

25% - rapid decline;

35% gradual reduction.

Territory label:

1. did not decrease in 50% of cases;

2. decreased in 50% of cases

20% - fast decrease;

30% - gradual reduction.

The operation to castrate a dog does not affect its working characteristics and interaction with people. It can increase the authority of the owner in front of the dog. If a male dog is castrated before puberty, then this can disrupt his further physical development. Usually, after this procedure, the animal needs a less high-calorie diet. This is due to changes in metabolism and activity.

What is castration for?

Spaying a dog has its benefits. And first of all - this is the absence of unwanted offspring and problems with its further attachment. A castrated dog does not show sexual activity, from which it could previously mark the territory, stain furniture or run away from home. She makes better contact with people, the aggression associated with sexual instincts decreases.

It has been proven that dogs after castration live longer and get sick less often. At the same time, the operation itself is done once in a lifetime and at a cost pays for the regularly necessary contraceptives.

Dogs after castration

It is important to realize that this operation does not deprive the animal of its physical abilities: a hunting dog will not become worse at prey, and a service dog will not be worse at guarding. Attitude towards the owner and members of his family remain unchanged. In some cases, males become more attached to their owner without showing dominant qualities.

Possible Complications

Before deciding on an operation, the owner of the dog must be aware of the possible consequences. As with humans, surgery is associated with some risks: the dog may be allergic to anesthesia, and bleeding may occur during the operation. During the postoperative period, there is a possibility of complications: inflammation or infection. Some cases even end in death.

Complications after surgery can occur in both males and females. It can be: inflammation, ruptures, hernias, inflammation of the seams, bleeding. The last complication appears for two reasons - this is the low qualification of a veterinarian or poor blood clotting in a dog. It can end with the death of the animal.

Infection can occur:

• if it was already present in the body of the dog,
• due to the negligence of the surgeon;
• improper placement of postoperative sutures.

Undesirable consequences of castration in bitches is the occurrence of estrus. And this indicates that during the operation the surgeon did not completely remove the ovarian tissue or their functions were taken over by the dog's adrenal glands.

Sterilization

Spaying bitches does not affect their behavior in the future. The estrus period occurred twice a year and therefore sex hormones did not affect her behavior to a greater extent. Their action begins not like in males, from birth, but from the beginning of puberty.

Neutering is primarily necessary to prevent conception, as well as to better control the behavior of the dog during estrus. This period is extended for 2 months, respectively, 4 months per year. A sharp wave of estrogen is replaced by an increase in the amount of progesterone and a change in behavior up to 8 weeks. If the owner of the bitch does not want to receive offspring from her, then it is better to plan the operation before puberty.

This surgery will not change the dog's previous personality. The only thing that the operation can affect is dominance. If the bitch sought to dominate the owner, then after - her desire may increase.

Both castration and sterilization change the metabolic process in the body and increase appetite. With insufficient mobility and physical activity, dogs can begin to gain weight.

What is the difference between castration and sterilization

Very often people equate these two operations to one, not knowing the differences. Castration removes the testicles in males and the ovaries in females. During spaying, the uterus is removed from the bitch and the ovaries are left. This surgical intervention does not exclude periods of estrus and increases the likelihood of various hormonal disorders. Sterilization in males consists in ligation or dissection of the vas deferens.

Advantages and disadvantages

Both neutering and spaying dogs have their pros and cons. Castration, in addition to the main purpose, is used as a prevention of many diseases (transmissible sarcoma, oncological diseases of the genital organs and mammary glands). Scientists have proven that neutered dogs live an order of magnitude longer than their non-neutered or non-neutered counterparts.

But due to the low qualification of the veterinarian or the characteristics of the dog's body, complications and in some cases even death are possible after the operation.

Sterilization excludes the reproductive function, but not the effect of hormones on the animal's body. The dog can become aggressive and there is a risk of cancer.

To reduce possible risks during sterilization, it is necessary to carefully diagnose the animal by making all the necessary tests. Only with a completely healthy dog ​​can surgery be performed.

They are in no way related to the sex of the animal and imply various types of surgical intervention aimed at preventing unwanted reproduction of animals. Castrated, as well as sterilized, can be cats and cats, males and females: in both cases, they lose their ability to reproduce.

Sterilization (vasectomy)- a surgical operation, the purpose of which is to create a barrier to the movement of cells involved in conception. In female animals, the fallopian tubes are tied up (while the egg cannot get from the ovaries to the uterus), and in cats and males, the spermatic cords are tied up, which prevents the release of spermatozoa. During surgery, the genitals are not affected and continue to function normally. Since the hormonal background is not disturbed, all instincts and the ability to mate are fully preserved in sterilized cats and dogs, but pregnancy, for obvious reasons, does not occur.

Castration (ovariohysterectomy)- removal of the organs of the reproductive system: uterus and ovaries (in cats and bitches) and testicles (in cats and males). A variation of this operation is oophorectomy - removal of the ovaries while preserving the uterus. This practice is becoming less and less common: due to the high risk of complications and the development of cancer, the uterus is removed along with the ovaries.

Spay or Neuter: That is the Question

hosts sterilized animals note that after the operation, the behavior of pets practically does not change, tk. the level of sex hormones remains at the same level. However, this does not mean that sterilization occurs absolutely without consequences for the animal's body. At certain moments, real hormonal explosions can be observed when the concentrations of hormones approach critical values. Spayed dogs and cats are more prone to stress and diseases of the genitourinary system. Significant changes are also observed in behavior: animals often become aggressive, more difficult to train, often lose weight for no apparent reason. According to statistics, more than half of the animals with oncological pathology of the genital organs were previously sterilized.

Castration is the "gold standard" of veterinary medicine with minimal risk of developing cancer of the uterus, ovaries and testicles. In 90% of cases, castration helps to cope with behavioral problems: aggression, dominance, increased excitability.

It has been proven to increase the life expectancy of neutered cats and dogs by an average of 1-3 years, and with some age-related diseases, castration is the only way to save a pet. Castration completely eliminates the risk of developing purulent inflammatory diseases of the uterus and ovaries, as well as prostatitis in cats. According to doctors, it is better to castrate animals at a young age, since surgical intervention is a serious stress for the body, and recovery after surgery in adulthood is more difficult.

Castration: briefly about the operation

Thanks to modern veterinary preparations, the operation process is completely painless for cats and dogs. At the preparation stage, the veterinarian intravenously injects a drug for general anesthesia, for the duration of which the animal is immersed in a controlled drug-induced sleep. Next, the surgical field is processed: the hair on the scrotum is shaved off, and the skin is treated with special disinfectants. Through two small incisions, the doctor ties up the spermatic cord and removes the testicles. The duration of the operation rarely exceeds 5-7 minutes; postoperative sutures do not require special treatment and, with rare exceptions, are not removed.

In cats and bitches, the castration technique is somewhat more complicated. The operation is abdominal: the uterus and ovaries are removed through a deep incision in the abdomen in the groin area. The duration of the operation is 30-40 minutes, after which the wound is sutured and a collar or a special blanket is put on the animal, which protects the wound from scratching and licking. In recent years, the laparoscopic technique has been increasingly used, making the operation less traumatic.

Castration: arguments "FOR"

The advantages of castration of non-breeding animals are obvious and undeniable:

• increase in the duration of active longevity;
• positive changes in character (compliance, obedience, lack of aggression);
• change in sexual behavior: lack of interest in individuals of the opposite sex;
• exclusion of the risk of developing inflammatory and oncological diseases;
• in females, the incidence of breast cancer is greatly reduced.

Castration or pills?

Veterinarians are unanimous in their opinion: compared to chemical and hormonal agents, surgery is more preferable. Prolonged and, as a rule, uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs is fraught with serious health problems in adulthood.

Castration and urolithiasis

Numerous clinical studies have not revealed a direct relationship between castration and the incidence of KSD. The main risk factor for the development of urolithiasis is overweight, provoked by metabolic disorders. If the castrated animal is fed correctly, following the recommended diet, the likelihood of the formation of stones in the urinary tract is practically absent. Veterinary pharmacies and pet stores offer a wide range of specialized food for neutered cats and dogs.

Castration and character change

With very rare exceptions, the owners of neutered animals note only positive changes: cats and dogs are easier to train, become affectionate and obedient, do not cause problems in the form of territory marks, howling or meowing.

When is the best time to castrate animals?

The ideal age for castration of cats and males is 8-10 months. Early castration is fraught with a lag in physical development. It is advisable to castrate cats and bitches before the first estrus: in this case, the risk of tumor diseases of the mammary glands is practically reduced to zero.

Answers to all questions of interest on the castration of cats and dogs can be obtained at a face-to-face consultation with a veterinarian.

which is "better" to choose

Sooner or later, owners of domestic cats begin to think about castration / sterilization of their pets, because in this way they not only save their pets from more problems, but even prolong their life ...

True, a good proportion of cat lovers often erroneously interpret the above concepts, believing that usually males are castrated, and females are sterilized. But in fact, these processes are in no way related to the gender of animals, but involve various types of surgical intervention, ultimately leading to one result - cats and cats lose their ability to reproduce.

What is the difference?

So, at castration there is a complete removal of the sex glands from the body of the animal (in males - the testes, and in females - the ovaries), as a result of which the pet is provided with complete sexual rest throughout the rest of his life. After the operation, the animal will not have any desires and needs, as well as the opportunity to conduct full sexual activity.

And here sterilization, in turn, is rarely used in veterinary medicine for small pets, as it consists in ligating (that is, tying or soldering) the spermatic cords in cats and the oviducts in cats. After such an intervention, animals lose their ability to reproduce, while maintaining sexual activity, since sex hormones continue to be synthesized in their gonads. So it turns out that from the point of view of the health of the animal and the convenience of the life of the household, the sterilization of cats and cats does not make sense at all, because all the nuances of their sexual behavior remain unchanged (increased activity, screams, aggressiveness, etc., etc.) .

Technically, the operation to sterilize domestic cats is quite possible, but it is usually used for medical reasons in the treatment of some diseases.

Training

As for the castration procedure, you need to thoroughly prepare for it:

• firstly, the pet must be hungry (that is, do not eat food for at least 10 hours before the operation);
• secondly, it is best to conduct a preliminary study of the function of the cardiovascular system (especially in animals aged or with any pathologies) in order to minimize all kinds of risks.

Castration of a cat

The surgical intervention itself in cats in this case is carried out as follows: to begin with, anesthesia is injected into the animal, the hair on the scrotum is shaved off and the skin is treated with special means, after which a small incision is made to extract the testicles, and then this same incision is sutured. Typically, such an operation takes no more than 15 minutes, and postoperative sutures do not require any processing or removal.

Castration of a cat

In cats, the entire process of castration is more complicated, since the operation in this case is abdominal, that is, the uterus and ovaries are removed through a deep incision in the groin or abdomen. Surgical manipulations last 30-40 minutes, after which the wound is sutured, and the animal is dressed in a special blanket or collar that prevents the seam from licking and combing.

It is worth noting that females can be castrated not only in the standard way, but also endoscopically - when several small incisions are made on the abdominal wall, through which endoscopic instruments and a camera with an illuminator are inserted. The surgeon controls all his actions by means of a display showing the image of the operation. But such an operation, of course, will cost more.

Recovery after surgery depends on the individual characteristics of the organism of a particular animal, which can take a different time. As a rule, after anesthesia, cats and cats leave after 2-4 hours, and fully recover after about one day.

Pets play an important role in people's lives. They bring us joy, teach us to care and love just like that, without any benefit. Especially pets bring a lot of joy to children. Often cats and dogs become pets.

However, many pet owners not ready to the fact that they will have a numerical offspring. In the case of cats, during the period of sexual arousal, owners are annoyed by loud meowing, and cat owners do not like it when they start marking the territory in the apartment.

In this case, they resort to drastic measures regarding their pets - castration and sterilization. In fact, there is a big difference between these concepts. Both castration and spaying can be applied to both females and males. Let's take a look at these concepts together and define the difference between castration and sterilization of pets.

What is castration?

The term "castration" refers to removal of reproductive organs in animals through surgery. In males, the testicles are removed, and in females, the ovaries and uterus are removed. For females, operations are performed with partial or complete castration.

With partial castration, only the ovaries are removed, and with complete castration, the ovaries are removed along with the uterus. Recently, the number of complete castration of females has increased due to the fact that later cases of gynecological diseases of females have become more frequent, in which it is necessary to perform a second operation to remove the uterus.

It is recommended to castrate animals at the age of 7-8 months. During castration, the level of sex hormones decreases, reproductive functions in animals stop, pets become calmer, and can gain weight.

Castration of pets one of the easiest operations performed by veterinarians around the world. It is done under general anesthesia. The animal is asleep and does not feel pain. The pet does not require special postoperative care. The owner will need more care when observing the pet. After the operation, the animal recovers within 1-2 days.

What is sterilization?

Sterilization is the process of ligation of the spermatic cords in males and the fallopian tubes in females, while no organs are removed from the animals. After such an operation, pets lose their ability to reproduce, however all instincts and their behavior is preserved.

The body continues to produce sex hormones, which does not affect their sexual desire. Animals can mate, but they will no longer bear offspring. Sterilization can be carried out between the ages of 8 months and up to 7 years.

But keep in mind that the older the pet, the greater the risk of complications after surgery.

Difference between castration and sterilization:

1. Castration is more humane in relation to pets. Spayed animals will experience hormonal surges every time they become sexually aroused, as their sex organs are “in place” and functioning well. Often, spayed pets are pets, so they do not have the opportunity to satisfy their desires, which leads to stress and aggression. And this has a bad effect on the body of the animal as a whole and leads to diseases of the genitourinary system.
2. The advantage of castration is to improve the behavior of a pet. The animal is not distracted by the call of its sexual instincts, it becomes more affectionate, complaisant and calmer. He loses sexual activity, stops running around the apartment, does not meow and scream at night, stops marking his territory and does not damage furniture by grinding his claws.
3. To myself main advantage castration can be attributed to the fact that castrated animals will not develop diseases of the reproductive organs due to their absence. On the contrary, health is maintained and life expectancy increases due to a decrease in the risk of developing inflammatory and oncological diseases of the genital area.
4. Castrated pets are generally much less likely to get sick compared to their “full-fledged” relatives.

Both castration and sterilization are carried out both within the walls of a veterinary clinic and at home. Here, too, there are advantages and disadvantages. The clinic provides sterilization premises and all conditions for the procedure.

But pets experience a lot of stress from an unfamiliar place, which affects their well-being and is a minus of having an operation in a veterinary clinic. At home, animals feel calmer, but the disadvantage is the difficulty in maintaining sterility.

Veterinarians prefer castration, as a more effective method without complications in the future. However, to reduce confusion in medical terminology, veterinarians use the term “sterilization” for females and “castration” for males.

In veterinary practice, the use of the word "castration" in relation to males and "sterilization" in relation to females has become entrenched. In fact, from the point of view of the technique of the operation, the difference is different.

Castration and sterilization: understanding the terms

Castration is the complete removal of the sex glands - the ovaries in cats and bitches and testicles (testes) in cats and males. Sterilization is only the deprivation of the ability to fertilize, that is, the animal is deprived of the opportunity to produce offspring, but the genitals (ovaries, uterus and testes) are preserved.

Thus, in the strict sense of the word, sterilization will be the removal of part of the fallopian tubes in females and the removal of part of the spermatic cords (through which sperm flows from the testicles to the penis) in males. Similar operations are done to people if they want to be sure that they will never have children (tubal ligation and vasectomy). In practice, such operations are usually not performed on animals, and here's why.

Why is castration preferred?

At first glance, it may seem that sterilization is more humane, since it is an organ-preserving operation and is easier for animals to tolerate, but this is not so. Moreover, such an operation is deprived of the important health benefits that castration has, and retains all the disadvantages that are characteristic of non-neutered animals.

The only indisputable plus that can be found in sterilization is the absence of unwanted litters in cats and dogs.

However, unlike castration, sterilization preserves the production of sex hormones, as in non-castrated animals, which means:

• all behavioral problems associated with sexual behavior are preserved, such as marks, aggression, vocalization;
• remains the same high risk of breast cancer in cats and testicular cancer in males;
• the risk of pyometra in females and prostatitis in males remains, as well as a higher incidence of inflammatory diseases of the urinary system (cystitis, urethritis, inflammation of the kidneys).

In addition, for sterilization, the animal will need to make exactly the same incision and give exactly the same dose of anesthesia (and for the male, the operation will be more difficult).

That is why veterinarians do not see the point in sterilizing animals and usually do not perform such operations. However, as we wrote above, traditionally, the operation in relation to females is called sterilization, and in relation to males - castration. Perhaps this tradition has become entrenched because cats and bitches undergo abdominal surgery, while males do not.