Sterilization and castration in dogs: differences, advantages and disadvantages

As is known, having a companion dog demands a great responsibility. In addition to bathing and food care, aspects such as the health of the pet and the prevention of potential diseases are indispensable if we want to extend the life expectancy of our dog. Among the numerous techniques that exist to avoid the appearance of certain diseases or infections, one of the best known are castration and sterilization. These terms, although popular, are still confused for some people. Some for not differentiating sterilization and castration clearly, and others for thinking that these are exactly the same procedures. But in reality, how are sterilization and castration different? What are the advantages of these procedures? And, above all, do they present inconveniences? It is important to dissipate all doubts before choosing whether to sterilization or castration to your dog. That is why, on this occasion, we will briefly develop each of these aspects to learn more about the differences, Advantages and disadvantages of sterilization and castration in dogs.

Sterilization and castration: What are they?

As we have already mentioned, although they are associated because they are surgical procedures and performed only by a veterinarian, sterilization and castration are perfectly differentiated techniques from each other. For this reason, it is necessary to define them individually.

Sterilization

Sterilization consists of a surgical technique by which the pet's reproduction process is interrupted by cutting the reproductive ducts. This procedure can be carried out in both male and females dogs. In the case of males, it is done by cutting the seminiferous ducts, that is, the connections between the testicles and the dog's penis. Now, in the females, the sterilization process is performed by cutting the dog's fallopian tubes, medically known as oviducts.

Castration

Castration is also a surgical procedure, but of greater reach. In it, the genitals are extraction both in the male and in the females. Therefore, castration is considered to have greater complexity than sterilization. This technique, in male dogs, is done by irreversibly extracting their testicles, leaving only the scrotal bag. While, in females, the procedure can be in two ways:

Ovariectomy

Castration in which only the ovaries of the female are extracted.

Ovariohysterectomy

It consists of the extraction of the uterus and the animal's ovaries.

Advantages

Once the definition of castration and sterilization is clear, we will see the advantages that these surgical processes. In this way we can better understand the explanations of the veterinarian at the time of recommending any of them.

Advantages of sterilization

Either applied to a male or female, this process has great advantages for our canine friend:

• First, it is a Less invasive surgery.
• Sterilization allows a faster recovery. For the male, no more than three days, while the female in a week would already be recovered.
• In the case of males, decreases the risk of disease associated with the prostate.
• In the case of females, Reduces the risk of breast tumors, uterine and ovarian diseases.
• It prevents dogs from reproducing, as it inhibits their fertility.
• The sexual behavior of canines is not altered by this surgery.

Advantages of castration

Although it is a more complicated technique, castration also has numerous advantages for the canine and its owner:

• Completely eliminates the sexual desire of the animal. Due to the extraction of the genitals, the hormonal changes are highly decreased, leaving aside the zeal.
• The transformation of sexual behavior prevents dogs from wandering through the streets running the risk of getting lost or hurting.
• Decreases the risk of diseases associated with reproduction and to the prostate.
• In the case of the dog, when testosterone production is inhibited, passivity occurs in character, which leads to it easier to train it.
• Socialization with other canines becomes an aspect of greater ease.
• The control of aggressiveness becomes a simpler process in the case of males.

Disadvantages

Although it has been mentioned that Sterilization and castration are highly effective and beneficial processes in dog health, it is also undeniable that they have some disadvantages, or risks, because they are surgical techniques. Next, we will see some of them:

Disadvantages of sterilization

In the case of sterilization, the advantages are usually diverse, the most notable of these is that hormone production is not eliminated, on the contrary, it remains intact in animals. This can be a disadvantage for some since, if it is an aggressive animal, it will not modify its behavior with sterilization. Another important disadvantage of mentioning in the case of the dogs is that it continues to have zeal and, therefore, attracting males during this period.

Disadvantages of castration

The risk to the adverse effects of anesthesia is usually one of the greatest disadvantages of castration. Accompanied with the alteration in the weight of the animal that, on many occasions, suffer from overweight, which must be frequently controlled to avoid it. Finally, within the inconveniences of this process, it is denoted that recovery after surgery is much slower, it may take two weeks, or more if necessary. As evidenced, Both sterilization and castration usually have repercussions and advantages, so before choosing any of them to apply it to the dog, it is necessary to consult with a veterinarian and request the orientation towards the most flattering decision for the canine and for his master. Choosing one of the two lightly can be counterproductive for the dog, irreversibly affecting his life. Learn more about the canine world: