Castration of a dog

Castration of a dog is not uncommon in many countries. In Norway, castration of dogs is regulated by the Animal Welfare Act § 9. Castration is not a routine, elective procedure, but can be performed when necessary for the dog's welfare or for other special reasons. The veterinarian must assess whether the conditions are met. We tell you everything you need to know about the procedure, advantages, disadvantages and aftercare.

What is castration?

Neutering is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs of animals, usually dogs and cats. The procedure varies depending on the sex of the animal and can be either castration (removal of the testicles in males) or ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus in females). Neutering has several purposes and benefits, including controlling the animal population by preventing unwanted reproduction, reducing the risk of certain health problems, and influencing certain hormonally controlled behaviors, such as promiscuity in males.

When is castration legal?

In Norway, neutering of dogs is only permitted when necessary for the health or welfare of the individual or for special reasons. Examples of approved health reasons include testicular cancer, uterine inflammation, and treatment of diseases such as diabetes in bitches. Cryptorchid testicles, which are more susceptible to cancer, can also be removed in accordance with the law.

Neutering can improve the welfare of the dog in cases such as false pregnancy in bitches or excessive sexual drive in male dogs. If unwanted behavior poses a real problem for the owner or the dog itself and cannot be solved in any other way, there may be a "special reason" for neutering.

For special tasks such as guide dogs, neutering may be necessary for “other special reasons.” However, it is important to note that neutering is only effective against problematic behaviors that are caused by sex hormones. Other causes of problematic behaviors such as anxiety or insecurity may not necessarily be resolved by neutering.

Treatment of problematic behaviour should primarily be based on training supervised by professionals such as veterinarians or behaviour therapists. Neutering should only be considered after thorough advice from professionals and the veterinarian should only perform the procedure if it can be justified on health, animal welfare or special grounds.

Why can neutering a dog be necessary?

Neutering dogs goes far beyond just reproductive control; it is a crucial intervention that can improve the quality of life of our furry companions in several ways. Castration of a dog may be necessary for medical or practical reasons.

Medically, it can be justified by prostate problems, testicular cancer, diabetes or by hypersexual behaviour. Hypersexual behavior often manifests itself through reduced appetite, restlessness and constant attempts to seek out bitches in heat.

In practical terms, castration may be appropriate for dogs with specific tasks, such as guide dogs. Regardless of the reason, castration should only be performed after consultation with a veterinarian.

Benefits of neutering a male dog

1. Prevention of testicular tumors and reduction of androgen-dependent prostate disorders such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, castration does not protect against prostate cancer — some studies have found a slightly higher incidence in neutered dogs than in unneutered ones.
2. May reduce the risk of androgen-dependent perianal adenomas and perineal hernia.
3. May reduce some hormonally driven behaviors, such as roaming and marking — but is not a reliable solution to aggression or general unwanted behavior.

Benefits of spaying a female dog

1. May reduce the risk of breast cancer — protection is greatest if the dog is spayed early, before the first heat, and decreases the older the dog is at the time of the procedure.
2. Eliminates the risk of pyometra (inflammation of the uterus) when the uterus and ovaries are removed, and eliminates the risk of ovarian diseases when the ovaries are removed.
3. Eliminating the risk of unwanted pregnancy.

Risks when neutering a dog

Many people consider neutering as an option to regulate their dog's behavior, especially if it is very aggressive or restless. Although neutering can affect hormonally controlled behaviour, it is not necessarily the case that neutered dogs automatically become calmer. On the contrary, the dog may risk becoming more aggressive, and you will be able to achieve better results by training and choosing the right breed. Alternatively, chemical castration can be considered as an alternative if the dog has major behavioral problems and the owner has tried everything else. The procedure must still be carried out in consultation with a veterinarian.

Chemical castration

Chemical castration in dogs has become increasingly popular as an alternative to surgical castration. Chemical castration is performed by placing a hormone implant under the dog's skin. The implant is a GnRH agonist that, after a short initial stimulation phase ("flare"), in which hormone production may increase briefly, provides a reversible suppression of sex hormone production. After this initial phase, the effect is practically equivalent to surgical castration in terms of hormones, but the duration is time-limited and depends on the strength of the implant — usually around 6 months for the low-dose implant and up to 12 months for the high-dose variant. One of the biggest advantages of chemical castration is that it is reversible and it gives owners the opportunity to evaluate their dog's behavior for androgen-dependent behaviors, such as hypersexuality, before potentially opting for surgical castration.

Compared to surgical castration, the chemical method is less invasive. This can reduce stress and recovery time for the dog. The method can also be used diagnostically — to evaluate whether a given behavior is indeed hormonally driven — before considering irreversible surgical intervention.

The procedure for castration

Castration for males is a common procedure that involves removing the testicles. This prevents the production of sperm and reduces the production of sex hormones, especially testosterone.

Ovariohysterectomy for bitches is a procedure that removes both the ovaries and the uterus. It not only prevents the bitch's ability to reproduce but also eliminates the risk of certain reproductive diseases such as endometriosis and ovarian cancer.

It is important to note that neutering is an irreversible procedure and owners should carefully consider all aspects of this decision before deciding to neuter their pet. We always discuss with owners in order to make informed decisions based on the animal's individual needs and circumstances.

Will castration hurt the dog?

Spaying or neutering is a standard surgery where your dog will be anesthetized to ensure that she does not experience any pain during the procedure. You have the option of choosing keyhole surgery to spay your female dog. This is a less invasive method that only involves removing the ovaries. This approach reduces both post-operative pain and recovery time.

After surgery, we will administer pain-relieving injections to ease any discomfort your dog may experience. You will also receive anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication that you can give at home as part of the aftercare.

The need for pain medication after returning home varies from dog to dog and depends on the extent of the procedure and individual pain assessment — male dogs often need shorter follow-up than female dogs, as the procedure is typically less invasive. By choosing keyhole surgery and following your veterinarian's aftercare advice, you can help minimize both pain and recovery time for your dog.

Risk of obesity

After castration, the energy requirement may be reduced while the appetite of some dogs increases. Without adjustment of the amount of food and activity, this can increase the risk of obesity. At the same time, the risk of other lifestyle diseases that can accompany obesity, such as joint diseases, also increases. Nevertheless, it is relatively easy to prevent obesity after castration by choosing the right type and amount of food and ensuring sufficient exercise and activity.

Incontinence and coat quality

Although the incidence is low, there is a certain risk that the dog may develop incontinence, that is, urine leakage, after castration. This can occur anywhere from 10 months to several years after the procedure itself. Some dogs may also experience changes in their coat, where medium- and long-haired breeds in particular may experience changes in their undercoat.

How to care for your dog after castration

After your dog has been neutered, it is important to take post-operative care. Your dog can usually go home the same day of surgery and will be given a prescription for painkillers to take for the first few days. Your dog should not be left alone at home immediately after the procedure as they may be a little lethargic after the anesthesia.

Following castration, the dog will have a wound with stitches that can be removed after 10–12 days. Some wounds are sewn with stitches that disappear on their own and do not need to be removed. While the wound is healing, it is important that the dog wears a collar to prevent licking or tearing out the stitches, and most dogs quickly get used to the collar. For the first 14 days, it is also a good idea to limit activity so as not to put too much strain on the surgical wound, and all walks should be on a leash.

Castration of dog price

For those who would like information about dog neutering or prices, you can easily contact us for a price estimate and further information. Consider carefully before making your decision and be sure to take into account your dog's individual needs and health.