When bringing home a Labrador puppy, one may wonder whether neutering is necessary and at what age. De-sexing Labradors is an important decision that new dog owners should make carefully, often in the early stages of a dog’s life, such as within the first year.
Depending on the health and makeup of the puppy, some puppies are neutered as early as eight weeks of age. A more realistic and acceptable timeline is between six and nine months.
Some new owners of Labradors may hesitate to neuter or de-sex their Labrador due to concerns that it might change their dog’s behavior adversely, whether the procedure is painful, or if there might be some complications.
Some worry that their male Labrador is too small or too young to undergo an operation or procedure involving neutering or castration; however, a young, healthy Labrador should have little cause for concern. Nowadays, procedures such as neutering or de-sexing Labradors are fairly streamlined and easy to conduct with good results. Technology and medicine have advanced dramatically in recent decades.
Why should I get my Labrador Neutered?
Male Labradors who are neutered early in their lives often have fewer issues with their prostates and less likelihood of developing testicular cancer. Behavioral benefits of neutering male Labradors include reduced urine marking, less mounting of people and objects, and less wandering.
A male dog that is not neutered is more likely to roam and escape his home to find a mate, putting him at risk of running into traffic, territorial animals, and other natural dangers. In some breeders’ contracts, the new owner of a Labrador puppy is required to neuter or spay the puppy within six months to a year after the dog is born. Veterinarians generally agree that a male dog should be neutered within six to nine months of birth. While neutering male dogs later in adulthood is possible, there are risks related to age, health, and weight.
It is important to consider several factors when making this decision; however, it is best to have the surgery performed within the first year after birth if the decision is to neuter.
What Actually Happens With Neutering?
Once you have decided to have a Labrador neutered, the process is relatively easy and straightforward. An orchiectomy involves removing both of the testicles from the body of a male dog, which produces the male hormones. The procedure differs from sterilizing a dog, which prevents a male from reproducing but does not remove the male organs that are responsible for unwanted behaviors, such as urine marking, mounting, and wandering around looking for a mate.
What Happens First?
A veterinarian usually requires a pre-operation visit before desexing a Labrador, to establish a relationship with the canine and verify any necessary vaccinations. A dog owner must ensure that all records of the labrador are up to date and accurate for the veterinarian performing the operation if he or she is not the dog’s primary veterinarian. Following the pre-operation visit, if the veterinarian determines the Labrador is not healthy enough to undergo the procedure, he or she will explain the process to the dog owner.
The Actual Procedure Of Neutering
When neutering a male dog, pain medication is applied to the dog; then, he is put to sleep under general anesthesia. During the surgery, veterinarians will use an IV catheter to administer fluids and monitor the dog’s heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. The procedure begins by ensuring the dog is comfortable before shaving, cleaning, and sterilizing the operation area. During the procedure, an incision will be made just above the scrotum.
In the next step, the veterinarian will remove one by one the testicles from the incision and cut them from the spermatic cord. After the cords are repaired, they are reinserted into the body, and the incision is closed. After the incision is closed, the veterinarian surgeon examines the incision site and prepares the dog to awaken.
What Is The Average Cost Of Neutering?
Neutering a Labrador varies in cost depending on several factors, like location, insurance coverage, and availability of practitioners. It is possible to neuter a dog for less than USD $35 at clinics and organizations in the United States. Usually, these organizations are public animal shelters or clinics. These places are generally located in greater metropolitan areas and large cities. People generally can get private care for their pets, and these facilities usually charge upwards of $300 to $500 USD for the procedure.
Besides the surgery itself, there are other expenses to consider, such as medications and postoperative care. Owners of dogs that will be neutered must be prepared to devote time and money to the process and spend some time researching the available facilities and services.
As with regular insurance, pet insurance may cover some expenses, but not all organizations may accept the insurance carriers, or certain procedures may not be covered at all or in full.
Post Operative Care of Neutering
The postoperative care of the Labrador dog is crucial as he comes out of anesthesia after surgery. In some cases, veterinarians who perform neutering or spaying will keep the dog overnight to monitor the dog for 24 hours post-operation so they can ensure there are no immediate complications or reactions to the surgery. Male dogs can return home the same day they undergo surgery. After a Labrador neuter operation, the biggest challenge for owners will be keeping their pets from licking the incision and from engaging in too much activity.
After being neutered, a dog that is too noisy or energetic runs the risk of experiencing internal bleeding, causing the scrotum to fill up with blood and potentially requiring a second surgery. Creating a calm environment with less excitement immediately after a Labrador neuter surgery is important. Infection may result from licking the incision, or stitches may be prematurely removed. An Elizabethan collar or dog cone may help prevent your male Labrador from licking his incision.
Most dogs will experience common side effects following surgery, such as lethargy or loss of appetite in the first few days after surgery. Still, some dogs will experience pain that will require medication to manage. Immediately following surgery, a dog’s behaviour should be closely monitored for abnormalities, such as aggression or pain. Pet owners commonly recognize if their dog is not back to normal within the first week after an operation. Owners should stay in touch with their veterinarian to ensure their pet remains healthy.
While some facilities can apply stitches that fall out without requiring a surgeon, most stitches require a follow-up visit within seven to ten days to remove them from the incision site. A dog owner may also notice some swelling in the scrotum, which may appear as though the testicles are still there. This swelling will gradually reduce in younger dogs, leading to a flatter abdomen area; in older dogs, it may look like a flap.
Complications of Neutering
The most common complications after surgery are swelling or inflammation in the area of the surgery in young, healthy Labradors. Licking or scratching at the incision site can worsen swelling, bleeding, fluid leakage, or fluids leaking from the operation site.
An older Labrador, a dog with pre-existing medical conditions, and an overweight dog may be more susceptible to postoperative complications. Such complications are possible depending on the specific dog’s health or needs. The dog owner should speak to the operating veterinarian about any preexisting health conditions or medications the dog takes.
Conclusion
The decision to neuter a male Labrador is a major one that requires much consideration and preparation. At the same time, the surgery is relatively quick and simple, and monitoring and caring for the Labrador after the surgery is an important task that must be handled diligently. This will ensure that both the dog owner and the Labrador will enjoy each other for many years to come.
