When your puppy was just a tiny bundle of fur, you probably never thought that one day they would reach the age when they would be in search of breeding partners. Your pet grows before your eyes every day, and the puberty period is when hormones start to take effect. Just as a parent takes care of their offspring, especially during the teenage years, you also need to be aware of the changes that occur in your pet’s body and behavior, and the potential consequences.
Neutering dogs helps prevent serious problems in puppies, such as testicular tumors, prostate cancer, or natural aggressive impulses. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about your dog wandering off in search of a mate.
Why is castration important for dogs?
It is recommended that the castration procedure be performed as early as possible, around the age of 6-12 months. After the age of 6 months, hormones start to take effect, and the young dog is now ready for breeding. In males, androgen hormones such as testosterone begin to be produced in the testicles, specifically by the Leydig cells. These hormones have the effect of developing the male reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics. They also have a trophic effect, meaning they regulate the activity of the accessory organs of the reproductive system, making the male capable of reproduction.
Next, pheromones come into play, which are biologically active substances excreted by the glands of animals. These pheromones act through olfactory, oral, or percutaneous pathways and provide the dog with the ability to detect a female in heat within a radius of up to 1 km.
Because of these pheromones, the animal can communicate within a group or pack, mark its territory on land, in the air, or on water, and mark various objects in its surroundings. Regardless of breed and gender, the behavior and emotional state of dogs are influenced by these pheromones, which play a key role in detection and recognition.
The struggle for mating brings serious consequences
The problem arises when multiple males identify the same female and a struggle for mating rights ensues. Unfortunately, this competition often ends tragically for some of the dogs involved. The case at hand is precisely about one of these victims. The dog was found after a fight between males, with a female in heat nearby. He had multiple wounds on his head and neck, so severe that pieces of skin were missing. Being 13 years old, his recovery was even more delicate and prolonged. We wanted to give this poor animal a chance and took care to nurse him back to health. He required intensive therapy for two weeks, with special attention to the infected bite wounds.
To prevent such cases of violence, we recommend neutering male dogs
It is a routine procedure that involves the removal of the reproductive organs, specifically the testicles in males. In the case of females, this procedure is called ovariohysterectomy and involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus. Unlike the procedure in males, the surgery in females is more complex but minimally invasive. However, in both cases, the dog is anesthetized prior to the surgery to ensure they do not feel any pain. We always take care to alleviate any discomfort as quickly as possible and provide post-operative pain relief injections. Depending on the case, we may prescribe medications to aid in your dog’s speedy recovery.
Donează acum
Împreună putem face o diferență 🙂
Ține minte că orice ajutor este important pentru animalele care suferă.
