HEALTH
8 min
A Complete Guide to the Dog Neutering Surgery: Prep, Surgery, Recovery, & More
Not sure what to expect before your dog’s neutering? Dr. Rohit’s no-nonsense guide covers prep, surgery, costs, & recovery tips for a stress-free experience.
Table of contents
A dog neuter or spay (for female dogs) surgery is the removal of the reproductive organs of the animal to prevent reproduction. In the previous article, we discussed how the neutering surgery can have pros and cons for both your dog’s long-term health and behaviour.
In this article, we will discuss what the actual surgery entails- the pre-operative considerations, how the surgery is carried out for both male and female dogs, the surgery costs, as well as post-operative care for spayed dogs in detail. Let’s dive in!
In this article, we will discuss what the actual surgery entails- the pre-operative considerations, how the surgery is carried out for both male and female dogs, the surgery costs, as well as post-operative care for spayed dogs in detail. Let’s dive in!
Pre-Operative Considerations Before a Dog Neuter Surgery
For a dog to be neutered, two essential steps should be carried out without fail:
1) A Complete Blood Test: Even if your dog has had a healthy and uneventful life, a complete blood test is an absolute must before the spaying surgery. This ensures that all the necessary parameters are within range and your dog is fit for anaesthesia. A complete blood test, including CBC, Liver Function Test (LFT), Kidney Function Test (KFT), is essential unless it has been done in the last 7 days and the values have been within range. Complications in the blood values, particularly haemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PLT), liver (ALT/SGPT) and kidney values (BUN, Creatinine) are of concern and might warrant a delay in the procedure, if seen.
Besides these, there are other parameters to be considered, based on which your veterinarian may decide to proceed with the surgery or not. In certain cases, additional tests like an ultrasound, chest X-rays, or an ECG may be carried out to assess appropriate functioning in dogs with risks.
2) Fasting: Fasting is extremely important before a dog neuter surgery to prevent your dog from inhaling food or vomit during anaesthesia, minimising the risk of complications. The exact duration for fasting is debated and varies based on the surgeon’s preference. However, the usual window is 6-8 hours off food and 4 hours off water before the surgery. Don’t worry, your dog will be provided with the essential nutrients through an IV before and during the surgery. In case your dog ingests food or water during the fasting window, inform your veterinarian right away. You do not have to feel guilty or ashamed- accidents happen. Remember, dog neuter surgeries are mostly elective and can be delayed; your dog’s safety should always be a priority.
Besides these, there are other parameters to be considered, based on which your veterinarian may decide to proceed with the surgery or not. In certain cases, additional tests like an ultrasound, chest X-rays, or an ECG may be carried out to assess appropriate functioning in dogs with risks.
2) Fasting: Fasting is extremely important before a dog neuter surgery to prevent your dog from inhaling food or vomit during anaesthesia, minimising the risk of complications. The exact duration for fasting is debated and varies based on the surgeon’s preference. However, the usual window is 6-8 hours off food and 4 hours off water before the surgery. Don’t worry, your dog will be provided with the essential nutrients through an IV before and during the surgery. In case your dog ingests food or water during the fasting window, inform your veterinarian right away. You do not have to feel guilty or ashamed- accidents happen. Remember, dog neuter surgeries are mostly elective and can be delayed; your dog’s safety should always be a priority.
Dog Neuter Surgery: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Let’s have a closer look at the essential steps during the neutering process for dogs:
Step 1: Sedation
Before the surgery, your dog’s vitals will be checked again before administering a sedative. This is usually given through an intramuscular route, but may vary based on the medication used.
At this point, your dog will likely be taken to a quiet space to allow the sedative to act without any disturbances. Some dogs may vomit at this stage, however, it is rarely seen, as pre-anaesthetics with anti-nausea effects are usually used. If your dog has eaten or drunk something in the fasting window, it would likely be noticeable now and will still pose a risk of aspiration, so please do not cover up any mistakes, if known.
Step 2: Preparation
Once an IV line is inserted and vitals are re-checked, the loading dose of the anaesthetic will be administered. Your dog will remain unconscious as the rest of the preparations are taken care of. This will include shaving and disinfecting the surgical site as well as the proper positioning of the dog for surgery.
Step 3: Surgery
The surgical process differs between male and female dogs.
For Male Dogs:
The neuter process for dogs (male) is simple and fairly quick. The procedure is called castration or orchidectomy. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Sedation
Before the surgery, your dog’s vitals will be checked again before administering a sedative. This is usually given through an intramuscular route, but may vary based on the medication used.
At this point, your dog will likely be taken to a quiet space to allow the sedative to act without any disturbances. Some dogs may vomit at this stage, however, it is rarely seen, as pre-anaesthetics with anti-nausea effects are usually used. If your dog has eaten or drunk something in the fasting window, it would likely be noticeable now and will still pose a risk of aspiration, so please do not cover up any mistakes, if known.
Step 2: Preparation
Once an IV line is inserted and vitals are re-checked, the loading dose of the anaesthetic will be administered. Your dog will remain unconscious as the rest of the preparations are taken care of. This will include shaving and disinfecting the surgical site as well as the proper positioning of the dog for surgery.
Step 3: Surgery
The surgical process differs between male and female dogs.
For Male Dogs:
The neuter process for dogs (male) is simple and fairly quick. The procedure is called castration or orchidectomy. Here are the steps:
For Female Dogs:
The neutering surgery for female dogs is called spaying or ovariohysterectomy. It may entail the removal of both ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy) or either the ovaries (ovariectomy) or uterus (hysterectomy). It’s more invasive because it involves entering the abdomen, making it a bit longer and more complex.
Step 4: Suturing
Most veterinary clinics opt for intradermal (invisible, internal skin sutures) to ensure quicker recovery and cleaner wounds for both male and female dogs. In certain cases, external sutures may be required, which have to be removed after the wound has healed completely (usually 14 – 21 days post-surgery).
Step 5: Immediate Recovery
Once the surgery is done, there are roughly two stages of recovery. The recovery period depends on the anaesthetic used- for some dogs, it may be quick and smooth, while for others it may be delayed. The recovery period also depends on other factors, such as age, metabolism, and excretion rates. The two stages are:
1) Partial recovery: 0.5 to 3 hours after the surgery, your dog will recover from the anaesthetic, but still might be groggy. Their vitals will be checked, and if deemed fit, they will be asked to take home for further care.
2) Complete recovery: This period can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours (more in debilitated or senior dogs). Your veterinarian will give you instructions on what needs to be done and in what order. Follow these instructions. Do not get hasty and give your dog food or water immediately, as it can lead to complications.
The rule of thumb is to give a small amount of water after the dog is fully conscious and can maintain a gait without swaying or falling over. Do not let them drink too much, as it can again cause issues. Once they drink the water without vomiting or retching for the next 30 minutes, you can offer more water and soft food in small quantities.
Do not worry if your dog does not eat immediately after the procedure, it is a surgical procedure and would involve some pain and discomfort, despite being given painkillers and the clinic would have considered this and given the appropriate medications for the evening.
Step 5: Immediate Recovery
Once the surgery is done, there are roughly two stages of recovery. The recovery period depends on the anaesthetic used- for some dogs, it may be quick and smooth, while for others it may be delayed. The recovery period also depends on other factors, such as age, metabolism, and excretion rates. The two stages are:
1) Partial recovery: 0.5 to 3 hours after the surgery, your dog will recover from the anaesthetic, but still might be groggy. Their vitals will be checked, and if deemed fit, they will be asked to take home for further care.
2) Complete recovery: This period can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours (more in debilitated or senior dogs). Your veterinarian will give you instructions on what needs to be done and in what order. Follow these instructions. Do not get hasty and give your dog food or water immediately, as it can lead to complications.
The rule of thumb is to give a small amount of water after the dog is fully conscious and can maintain a gait without swaying or falling over. Do not let them drink too much, as it can again cause issues. Once they drink the water without vomiting or retching for the next 30 minutes, you can offer more water and soft food in small quantities.
Do not worry if your dog does not eat immediately after the procedure, it is a surgical procedure and would involve some pain and discomfort, despite being given painkillers and the clinic would have considered this and given the appropriate medications for the evening.
The suture sites for male and female dogs.
Dog Neuter Surgery: Costs and other Considerations
In India, the dog spaying costs vary greatly between veterinary clinics. It is also dependent on factors like what surgical equipment and materials were used, the anaesthesia and other medications administered, along with the fees of the anaesthetists and surgeons. Dog spaying costs seem to get more expensive as time passes, even more so in commercial and large-scale practices. To give you a rough estimate,
While we want to keep the expenditure low, it is also important to ensure that the clinic has all the necessary facilities and equipment to safely and effectively perform the surgery. When choosing a clinic or hospital for your dog’s neutering surgery, look for one that has a separate sterile operation theatre with appropriate air conditioning/ventilation systems, a separate and clean pre-operative and preparation area, a history and experience of performing neutering routinely and with a good success rate.
- Dog spaying costs (for female dogs): 6000 to 25000 INR (can be more)
- Dog spaying costs (for male dogs): 3000 to 15000 INR (can be more)
While we want to keep the expenditure low, it is also important to ensure that the clinic has all the necessary facilities and equipment to safely and effectively perform the surgery. When choosing a clinic or hospital for your dog’s neutering surgery, look for one that has a separate sterile operation theatre with appropriate air conditioning/ventilation systems, a separate and clean pre-operative and preparation area, a history and experience of performing neutering routinely and with a good success rate.
Dog Neuter Surgery: Post-Operative Care for Spayed Dogs
The day after the neutering surgery, you will have been given a prescription and instructions on what you must do to ensure a complete recovery. Ensure that you fully understand and follow through with your veterinarian’s instructions and clarify any queries you may have, without hesitation.
Some of the crucial aspects of post-operative care for spayed dogs include:
- Recovery timelines: This again varies between patients and genders. Males have a shorter care period (as early as 5 days) as the incision is quite superficial and heals quickly, if there are no complications. For female dogs, it may take up to 2 weeks for a full recovery, and special care must be taken as the surgery is more intensive.
- Medications: An oral painkiller and an antibiotic are usually the primary medications that need to be administered post-operatively. If your dog refuses to take their medication, you can try some of these vet-approved techniques.If the situation persists, consult your vet as an inconsistency in the administration can hamper the recovery process. Some dogs may need to be brought in for injections for a few days till they are better.
- Wound care: Although not common, your veterinarian might instruct you to clean the site of surgery with a safe and mild disinfectant and apply an ointment to prevent infections. Ensure the site remains dry otherwise by preventing your dog from sitting in wet areas or avoiding bathing for the first two weeks, unless advised by the veterinarian.
- Protecting the wound: It is common practice to use a piece of clothing, such as an old t-shirt, to protect the site from getting infected. Special post-operative wraps are available, if needed. Sometimes a small bandage is applied to the suture site that should not be removed until instructed by your veterinarian, typically 36 to 48 hours after the surgery. If it comes off early and there's no discharge or irritation, it's usually fine, but do inform your vet.
- Watch out for discharge: Make sure you check the wound regularly for any discharge or pus. Minor amounts of blood and clear discharge are common for the first 24-48 hours. If you are unsure, take clear pictures and discuss with your veterinarian.
- Discourage licking: Do not allow your dog to lick the suture site, as it can make it come out loose and even lead to infections. If your dog tries to lick, use an Elizabethan collar. Your dog may be annoyed for a few days, but they will adjust slowly and be able to go about their usual activities without much interference.
- Activity levels: For the next 7 to 10 days, minimise the activity levels and intensity for dogs. This includes no excessive jumping and playing with other dogs. Slow, calm walks are encouraged, but keep an eye out to check if your dog is getting tired earlier than usual (which is completely normal). Some dogs may show no difference and would want to run and play immediately, but this should not be encouraged.
- Rest: Appropriate amounts of rest are crucial for your dog’s recovery. Create a safe space, free from any disturbance, to allow your dog to settle and relax.
Final Thoughts
Getting your dog spayed or neutered can be a smooth and uneventful process if the appropriate measures are taken and instructions are followed thoroughly. For a dog to be neutered, pre-operative tests and fasting are a must to ensure a smooth flow to surgery. Proper post-operative care for spayed dogs is also crucial to ensure a quick and healthy recovery. While dog spaying costs can vary from clinic to clinic, it should not be a deciding factor.
Staying informed on the dog neuter process, following your veterinarian’s instructions thoroughly and reaching out with any concerns will ensure that your dog sails through this life-altering surgery smoothly and is back to their usual self as soon as possible!
Happy & Safe Pet Parenting!
Staying informed on the dog neuter process, following your veterinarian’s instructions thoroughly and reaching out with any concerns will ensure that your dog sails through this life-altering surgery smoothly and is back to their usual self as soon as possible!
Happy & Safe Pet Parenting!
Keywords:
dog spayed or neutered ,
dog to be neutered ,
spaying a dog ,
dog spaying costs ,
dog sterilization
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