Sterilization of the dog: when, why, how? | He alth 2024

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The sterilization of a dog consists in preventing the reproduction of this one, either temporarily by a medical treatment (chemical sterilization), or in a definitive way by a surgical intervention consisting in the removal of the ovaries or even of the the uterus. Surgical sterilization is currently the most common practice, which is why I am detailing it in particular, but you can find chemical sterilization, its advantages and disadvantages, at the end of the article.

A few reminders on the cycle in female dogs

The bitch's sexual cycle consists of four phases, characterized by a change in behavior and a modification of the genital apparatus under the influence of sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, produced at the level of the ovaries.

The first two phases, called pro-estrus and estrus, correspond to heat. During pro-oestrus, which lasts on average one week, the female dog prepares for reproduction: she secretes pheromones that attract males and loses blood from the vulva. Estrus, which lasts from 3 to 10 days depending on the female dog, corresponds to the moment of acceptance of mating and ovulation.

The post-estrus follows, also called metestrus or diestrus, which lasts 2 months. If there has been fertilization, this period corresponds to gestation.

Finally, anestrus is the phase of sexual rest which lasts 4 to 5 months.

For most bitches, heat occurs twice a year, usually in early spring and early fall. However, some female dogs may go into heat once or three times during the year. These variations are not abnormal and depend on individual and racial factors.The most important thing is to monitor the regularity of your female dog's cycles and discuss this with your veterinarian.

Surgical sterilization

Surgical sterilization consists of removing either only the ovaries (oophorectomy) or the ovaries and the uterus (ovario-hysterectomy).

Why have my dog sterilized?

Various situations can lead to considering the surgical sterilization of a female dog.

First, sterilization helps prevent pregnancy and eliminate heat. You will thus have no more blood loss, no more running away to find males or unwanted pregnancy. Sterilization also has the advantage of avoiding the transmission of hereditary conditions (example: hip dysplasia).

Note that the influence of sterilization on behavior is variable: the intervention will make it possible to suppress certain sexual behaviors (runaways, attraction of males) but others may persist.Talk to your veterinarian to assess the benefits for your dog.

Secondly, sterilization indirectly extends the life of your dog by preventing the appearance of certain tumors under the influence of sex hormones. Theprevention of mammary tumours, the most common tumor in bitches, half of which are malignant, represents the major benefit of sterilization. Other tumors of the genital system will also be avoided due to the absence of the ovaries, or even the uterus, but this is a lesser benefit since these tumors are rarer.

Sterilization can also be considered for medical reasons: uterine infections, following a hormonal imbalance after heat, or lactations of pseudogestation, more commonly called nervous pregnancies, are definitively resolved by sterilization. It can also be interesting to sterilize a diabetic female dog, since during post-oestrus progesterone can aggravate diabetes mellitus by acting on the bitch's metabolism.

Finally, according to article L211-14 on the detention of categorized dogs, 1st category bitches must be sterilized. The owner risks up to 6 months in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros if this is not the case.

SUMMARY:

Surgical sterilization of the dog:

  • causes a permanent cessation of reproduction: no more heat or litters, with partial modification of behavior,
  • allows an improvement in the quality of life: reduction of the risk of tumors (breast in particular), treatment and prevention of certain conditions (uterine infections, nervous pregnancies, diabetes mellitus),
  • is a regulatory obligation for 1st category bitches.

What are the disadvantages of sterilization?

The main disadvantage of sterilization remains the impossibility of having your dog reproduce, since it is a permanent intervention.However, contrary to popular belief, sterilization is not necessarily a sign of discomfort for the female dog. It depends a lot on individual factors and his way of life which is not always consistent with his reproductive needs and which therefore can lead to frustrations.

One of the major consequences of sterilization is weight gain: indeed, the intervention causes metabolic changes, modifies the feeling of satiety and promotes fat storage. So, inevitably, your female dog will gain some weight. It is therefore necessary to take seriously the risk of obesity, a factor contributing to and/or aggravating many diseases. However, this is not necessarily inevitable, since a dietary adjustment by reducing the ration by about 30% and regular monitoring (weighing once a month for 1 year after sterilization for example) can limit a excessive weight gain.

The other side effect that can be observed is urinary incontinence in 5 to 10% of cases according to studies. This results from an inability of the urethral sphincter to contain urine, hence the appearance of drops of urine or even puddles generally on sleeping places. Again, this is not inevitable, since appropriate medical treatment allows an excellent response with complete elimination of urinary leakage in most cases.

Finally, sterilization remains an intervention with risks related to surgery and anesthesia. During the operation, the main serious complications remain bleeding, which the veterinarian can quickly control, and anesthetic accident, the risk of which is limited by continuous monitoring of vital constants. After the operation, the potentially serious complications boil down to dehiscence and/or infection of the wound, the risk of which is limited by keeping the wound clean and wearing the collar (see below).It should therefore be remembered that sterilization is an intervention carried out daily and well controlled by veterinarians, presenting an anesthetic risk that is all the lower as your bitch is young and in great shape.

When should my dog be sterilized?

The female dog is usually sterilized at the end of growth, during the anestrus phase. Growth being different depending on the format of your female dog, the recommended age of sterilization can vary from 4 to 12 months, but nothing prevents you from sterilizing her afterwards.

In order to limit the risk of breast tumors, sterilization is interesting and has demonstrated its benefits before the age of two. However, even late sterilization limits the risk of recurrence of benign breast tumours.

Finally, the development of the genital system is also to be taken into account: if the vulva is very underdeveloped or if your bitch has an infection of the vagina, it is best to wait for the first heat to sterilize her .

Note that the sterilization of a pregnant dog is possible but only at the very beginning of gestation.

How to properly prepare my dog?

Sterilization is carried out on a he althy dog, in order to limit the risk of complications related to the intervention: indeed, if your dog is sick, she will be less able to withstand surgery and anesthesia .

For the procedure, the female dog must be on an empty stomach, in particular to limit the risk of false swallowing during anesthesia and to facilitate surgery. Food and water are therefore removed the evening before the operation. Be careful though, if your female dog is young or has treatments, this fasting may be different: talk to your veterinarian.

How does sterilization take place?

Generally, the placement of a catheter is recommended because it is a temporary venous route allowing the injection of anesthetics and hydrating fluids during the procedure.The operating area corresponds: either to an area starting from the navel to the inside of the thighs (ovariectomy by the white line), or to an area behind the ribs (ovariectomy by the flanks). The technique used depends on the surgeon and the size of your female dog.

Two interventions are then possible: either the removal of only the ovaries (oophorectomy), or the removal of the ovaries and the uterus (ovario-hysterectomy). The efficacy is equivalent in both cases in terms of sterility, the removal of the uterus having an interest in the event of proven infection of the uterus or the presence of pregnancy. In most cases in young female dogs, oophorectomy is sufficient.

The veterinarian incises the skin and muscles up to the abdominal cavity. He identifies the ovaries and then ligates the vessels so that the ovaries can be removed without bleeding. He then closes the abdomen and sutures the wound with thread, which may or may not be absorbable depending on the surgeon.The dog is then woken up quietly, under supervision, and given painkillers.

What is the care after the procedure?

Post-operative care usually focuses on one week after the procedure. The same day, your female dog will certainly be tired. If she doesn't eat in the evening, don't worry, her form and appetite return to normal the next day.

Regarding treatments, anti-inflammatories are generally administered to limit pain in the wound.

At the local level, a wound with good evolution becomes sealed within 48 hours. Thus, monitoring of the wound is particularly important in this time frame. In order to limit the risk of infection and dehiscence of the sutures, devices preventing the female dog from licking the wound are put in place until the sutures are removed (if they are irresorbable sutures).Generally, this comes in the form of a collar or garment protecting the wound.

Chemical sterilization

We also have medical treatments allowing temporary and reversible sterilization of a dog. These are essentially long-acting progestins in the form of tablets or injections which must be renewed before each new cycle.

The main advantage of chemical sterilization lies in its reversible nature: we can thus control the pregnancy of the bitch without eliminating the possibility of having her reproduce.

However, these treatments have more or less long-term side effects with major repercussions on the dog's he alth: weight gain, diabetes, infection of the uterus, mammary tumor As an owner, you must also take precautions when administering the treatment, since these are hormones that can affect fertility.These treatments are therefore to be avoided today, but the veterinarian is quite helpless since no medication to date can induce temporary infertility without risk in the female dog.

Conclusion

In summary, surgical sterilization has real benefits for your dog's he alth and is carried out daily by veterinarians. It is therefore a well-controlled procedure, moderately invasive and with good pain control. The conditions necessary for the smooth running of the surgery are a fasting female dog, in the anestrus phase and in good he alth. Post-operative care is essential and time-consuming over a week, with the administration of anti-inflammatory treatments and monitoring of the wound and general condition. Finally, do not hesitate to discuss with your veterinarian to assess the benefits and risks in the case of your dog.

Thanks to Dr. Emilie ROSSET, veterinarian specialist in animal reproduction (Dipl. ECAR) practicing at CERREC (Center for Study and Research in Reproduction and Breeding of Carnivores) of Vetagrosup (Veterinary Campus in Marcy l'Etoile) , for proofreading this article.

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