Before and After?

Some people are not always sure what changes to expect in their dogs after neutering their dogs. In males you may find that your dog is not prone to straying, as apposed to before neutering, also your dog may become calmer and neutering may ease any aggressive or sexual behaviour displayed by your dog. In general though, the basic character of your pet will not change. Dogs tend to recover from the operation rather quickly, usually feeling quite dizzy the day of the operation, but they are usually up and about the day after the surgery. It is important to note, that a neutered dog has a strong tendency to gain weight – this may be due to it becoming less active by no longer straying and roaming the streets for un-neutered females. It is therefore important to adjust your dog’s diet accordingly and to ensure that your pet gets sufficient exercise often enough.

Sterilisation: the benefits

There’s less risk of females developing mammary gland tumours, ovarian or uterine cancer and other dangerous diseases, especially if they’re spayed before six months of age. They have fewer urges to stray from home, which reduces the risk of them contracting disease, getting injured, being abused or stolen for ‘bait’ for dog fights or ending up at a shelter. Pregnancy and birth are the most stressful times in a female pet’s life. Physical condition, health and immunity are weakened. Complications can arise during pregnancy, at birth or after. Sterilised pets generally live longer, healthier lives. Surveys show that as much as 85% of dogs hit by cars are males that have not been neutered. Their urge to roam (because they’re not sterilised) often costs them their lives. Letting pets breed brings more animals into a world that’s already seriously over-populated. There are already far too many animals and too few homes. They need our help to reduce numbers until there are enough homes for all dogs and cats.

Pet sterilisation

At what point should you get your cat or dog spade or neutered? Well, it all depends on whether or you’re ready to have kittens/puppies. If you’re not ready, having new offspring can be a real burden: you need to find homes for them and then there’s always the logistical issue of their tearing around your house. Generally, vets advise you to get your animal spayed/neutered at one year old. Some owners of male pets, however, insist that neutering their pets changes their (the pet’s) disposition - probably something to do with less testosterone flowing through their body. Generally, neutering is far less complex than spaying. But either way, if you’re not ready to handle the responsibility and extra chores of having little offspring around your home, you should not delay in sterilizing your pet.

Poll Results: pet sterilisation

Should pet sterilization be government funded?
Yes – 33%
No – 44%
It’s complicated- 22%

This has been a hot topic of debate in the pet world of late – should the government be helping to pay for pet sterilization? Well, the question is, is it the government’s problem? You will remember a few weeks back that we chatted about the new barking dog bylaw (if you did not read that particular entry then you can look for the keywords “barking dog bylaw” down the left hand side of the menu) and the resultant observation was that there are just too many animals living in one place causing a lot of rowdy noise. The solution, apparently, is to clamp down on the law that states that an ordinary residential property may only have two dogs residing thereon. The real problem seems to be that there is a breeding frenzy that is sweeping across the nation, and there are a lot of little puppies and kittens being left out alone, or put down, because the pet owner either has no space for these new additions, or does not have the money to support them. Cat or dog sterilization can cost you anything up to R600 at a private veterinarian. The SPCA has a program whereby the amount you pay is calculated on the amount of money that you earn – if you can afford it, then you can pay for it, if not, then you pay a reduced rate. The total amount is still slightly more affordable than private pet sterilization.

If you do not have your dog or cat sterilized then there are a lot of consequences you have to face: pregnancy, marking of territory, possible cancer (in extreme cases) and more. On the other hand, your pet will never be able to breed once his or her reproductive organs are removed. The procedure itself, I am told, is relatively painless and offers more benefits overall. The poll results clearly indicate South Africa’s divided stance on the matter – with only 22% voting for the option ‘it’s complicated’ you can be sure that there are a lot of people out there who have firm opinions. The only reason why some people may want pet sterilization to be government funded is due to the costly nature of the treatment, but there are facilities in place, such as the SPCA and their treatment scheme, which aid in this respect. Please email us your comments and opinions, or post them directly on this site through the comment option at the end of the post.