If you have a male dog or puppy and you do not plan on using him for breeding purposes, you should take him to get neutered when the time is right. This will help keep testosterone levels down, which can help your pet’s temperament. You will find he is calmer, less aggressive, and marks his territory less often. It also helps avoid your dog reproducing when you do not want this to happen – you can feel safe when your dog is with a female dog. Before you take your dog into the San Ramon veterinary hospital, know what to expect and what is expected of you.
What to Expect
Dogs can be neutered any time after eight weeks of age. A veterinarian can look at your dog and decide if it is ready for surgery. If you have an older dog, you can get them neutered whenever as long as a vet approves the surgery. Your dog will be able to come home the day it has surgery. His appetite may be gone for a couple of days because of the drugs, so do not be worried if he does not eat right away. Simply offer food but do not force it. His scrotum will be swollen and bruised for the first few days, so do not be alarmed if the area looks larger or the same. The swelling will go down over time. If your dog has stitches, they will need to be removed within one to two weeks.
What Is Expected of You
Before you take your dog in for surgery, do not let him eat for eight hours before surgery because of the anesthesia. He can drink water. If your dog has special instructions, the people at the San Ramon veterinary hospital will give you those instructions. Once the surgery is over, it is your job to make sure that your dog does not lick the area and affect the stitches. An Elizabethan collar – the dog cone – may be necessary for the first week or so. You should also keep your dog from running around too much the first couple of days, and watch the surgery site to make sure it is healing properly.
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