Dog Sterilization-Everything That Pet Parents Want to Know

Sterilization methods are namely spaying in females and neutering in males.  Both of these are surgical procedures and are done under general anesthesia.  These processes render a dog incapable of breeding by removing their reproductive organs.  Experts in the field opine that benefits associated with dog sterilization outweigh the risks associated with it.  A responsible and informed pet owner must take up sterilization as a solution rather than a problem.

Benefits:

1. Pet overpopulation control:   Unwanted litter can be avoided.  There are not just enough homes for the already existing dogs.  So many dogs are out there on the roads in the heat of summer and cold of winter.  Be human, go for sterilization.
2. Reduced case of misbehavior: In our country, we maltreat and misbehave with stray dogs just because they are so much abundance in number and often come in our way.  If we are able to control their population a day shall come when not a single dog will be out there without a home to care for.
3. Aggression control in male dogs: Male dogs that are not sterilized and not able to mate experience frustration which can lead to aggression.
4. Overcoming heat period: Female dogs come into heat every 6 months and may bleed until 18-20 days thereby creating havoc for the family.  Spaying is the solution!
5. The outcome is a better behaved pet: After neutering, dogs have less desire to roam leading to decrease risk of fighting, injuring, and transmission of infectious disease.  General behavior signs such as howling, barking or urine marking can be avoided through sterilization.
6. Health benefit: Risks for cancers such as breast cancer, ovarian or uterine cancer, testicular cancer or prostate enlargement can be minimized if we sterilize dogs.

Best time to sterilize:  Before your dog turns six months you can sterilize it.  It is suggested to get sterilization done as soon as possible whereas this is very much possible even at an adult stage with a veterinarian’s recommendation though.  A female dog in heat should not be sterilized due to increased blood loss.

Recovery process:  It is 24-72 hours.  Warning signs maybe lethargy, decrease in appetite, vomiting or diarrhea following surgery.  The vet needs to be contacted for such signs or if there is redness, swelling, and discharge at the surgery site.  You must prevent the dog from licking the incision and ensure that proper healing is taking place by just observing for a day or two.

We Humanize the whole process:  As dog loving people, we tend to humanize and feel that we are forcing our dear pets to a unnatural process and that they will mourn the loss of their reproductive capabilities.  We also go into the extent of thinking that it will feel like less of a man or a woman after being sterilized.  These are just myths and have no rationality to them!

Sterilization Cost:  Cost is one of the great barrier towards sterilization while lack of information seconds it.  The fact is that there are various groups active within a local area such as People For Animal (PFA), Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), etc. who carry out sterilization at literally no cost.  The only thing they might ask from you is charity or donation for the welfare of animals.  This too is up to you to donate or not.  Besides these, there are also Government affiliated veterinary hospitals that perform sterilization at low cost or no cost.  Yes, it is that much a low cost affair.

Social Give Back:  It is an appeal through this writing to all the beautiful pet parents of a breed or a mongrel (stray dog or Indian dog) that apart from their own pet, they also sterilize one stray dog per year and feel proud to do something for the society.

Come let’s join hand for this noble cause and give back to man’s best friend as much as they have given us in lieu of sheer nothing.