The operation is the removal of the male genital organs – the testicles.
Following your dogʼs castration please read the following- it may answer any questions you have.
- There is likely to be a shaved area on one of your dogʼs forelegs – this is where anaesthetic was injected. There may be slight bruising in the area but this will soon fade. The hair should grow back after a few weeks. There will often be swelling – this all disappears given time.
- Your dog may appear drowsy straight after the operation – this will likely be due to the anaesthetic and will soon wear off. Also please note that your dog will have been given painkillers to help with the pain post-op and this too may contribute to his drowsiness.
- Your dog may cough occasionally after the operation – this is most likely to be due to the tube that was placed in your dogʼs windpipe to facilitate breathing whilst under anaesthetic. If he does have a cough then it should clear up within a couple of days.
- Sometimes your dog may not feel like eating straight after the operations – this is ok, but please make sure that he eats the following day.
- We recommend very light, lead only, exercise for your dog until the stitches have been taken out (see below). Excessive exercise is likely to increase swelling and perhaps bleeding from the wound.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
- If your dog is repeatedly sick or excessively tired or lethargic after the operation – please contact us asap.
- DO NOT allow your dog to lick the stitched area. If you are unable to stop this from happening then please contact us.
- There may be some swelling after the operation – this is normal. However, if there is excessive swelling or bleeding from the area that is causing you concern then please contact us.
- In addition, the empty scrotum may fill with fluid and give the impression that your dog has not actually been castrated – this is NOT the case – the fluid-filled scrotum is not an uncommon occurrence. The swelling will go down and the area look neat eventually.
STITCHES
Stitches used for the operation will need to be removed after the wound has healed sufficiently. We normally call dogs back after 14 days to check the wound and remove any sutures.
As with bitches, neutering large breed dogs early may lead to greater amount of joint trouble later in life. It is preferable to neuter large, late maturing dogs after they have fully grown.
