Apr 30 , 2021
The best time to spay or neuter your dog depends upon several factors, including age, breed, sex, size, and potential activity level. By following established guidelines, this surgery will have the best outcomes.
Both surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. Neutering for male canines involves the removal of both testes. This is simpler than sterilization in females which involves the removal of the entire uterus and both ovaries. These procedures may or may not involve an overnight stay.
Size and sex are two other important factors. Small breed male canines weighing less than 45 pounds should be neutered at around 6 months. Females weighing less and 45 pounds should undergo sterilization surgery before their first heat, which will be somewhere between 5 and 6 months of age.
Large breed males weighing over 45 pounds should be neutered after they are done growing, which will fall somewhere between 9 and 15 months of age. Females over 45 pounds should undergo sterilization surgery somewhere between 5 and 15 months of age. This will depend upon the breed, risk of disease, whether the animal will lead a sedentary or active lifestyle and the veterinarian’s recommendation.
There are several reasons for sterilizing canines when they are young. The reproductive organs of puppies are less vascular, which makes for a less complicated procedure and faster recovery time for the animal. Puppies also metabolize anesthesia more quickly than adult canines, which means that exposure to anesthesia will be more limited in puppies. Juvenile canines also recover more quickly from anesthesia. Puppies have more elastic tissue, and this promotes faster healing from surgery. Surgery in juvenile canines involves much less pain after the procedure and generally less overall stress on the animal.
In summary, you should neuter male dogs under 45 pounds at around 6 months. Females under 45 pounds should undergo sterilization surgery before their first heat, which will be between 5 and 6 months of age. Large males should be neutered after growth stops, between 9 to 15 months, and females spayed between 5 and 15 months and upon the veterinarian’s recommendation.