Pre-Operative Care:
Your veterinarian can discuss the benefits of neutering vs. the risks of anesthesia during a pre-surgical visit.  This visit provides an opportunity to discuss any specific concerns regarding each individual pet.  Older animals are required to have pre-operative bloodwork prior to the procedure, and it is strongly recommended for younger animals.  Depending upon the age and/or health of the pet, chest x-rays, a urinalysis, an ECG, and other lab tests may be requested prior to the procedure to identify and address any underlying diseases.

Description:
Techniques for castration vary slightly between dogs and cats. For dogs, an incision is made in the skin just in front of the scrotal sac. The testicles are pulled out of the incision, and the spermatic cord is ligated or tied off with suture material. The spermatic cord is then cut, examined for bleeding, and allowed to return to its normal position inside the incision. Both testicles are removed through a single incision, and the incision is sutured closed. For cats, a small incision is made in the skin over each testicle. The testis is pulled out of the incision, and the spermatic cord is tied off to prevent bleeding. The spermatic cord is then cut, examined for bleeding, and allowed to return to its normal position inside the incision. Because the incisions are small, they do not need to be sutured closed.

If the testicles are not in the normal location, known as cryptorchids, the veterinarian will first try to locate them by palpation. The testicle can be anywhere from inside the abdomen to within the tissues leading to the scrotum. If the testicle is located under the skin along the ventral abdomen, the incision is made just above the testicle. The remainder of the surgery is performed similarly to the procedures described above. With an abdominally located testicle, an incision into the abdomen is made.  Once the abdominal testis is found, the structures can be tied off so that the testis can be removed. In older dogs with a retained testicle, the removed testis should be submitted to a pathologist to be evaluated for cancer.

Prognosis:
The prognosis is excellent. Common complications include bleeding at the surgery site, bruising and swelling, infection, and self-induced trauma caused by the dog’s licking or chewing at the incision. Young animals may tolerate the surgery better than older animals, but animals of any age can have this procedure performed safely if the appropriate precautions are taken.

Post-Operative Care:
Most animals will need to have their activity levels reduced for 7-14 days following surgery. Pets should be monitored for any licking or chewing of the incision, or self-removal of the sutures. An Elizabethan collar can be purchased from your veterinarian to limit access to the incision.  Outdoor animals should be kept indoors until healed. Dogs should be leash walked outside for eliminations only.  Running, jumping, and climbing stairs also should be discouraged during the healing process. The surgery site should be checked daily for any abnormalities.  Post-operative pain management is recommended to ensure the pet will feel a minimal amount of discomfort.

Prevention:
Castration (neutering) done at an early age can prevent such diseases as testicular cancer, prostate cancer, rectal tumors, unwanted litters, roaming, and male marking behavior.  It may also decrease male aggression.