We have 4 kids, I am pushing 40 and we both believe we are done making more of us. First, I will point out a few differences between service dogs, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs. The Best Dog Food. These are the tubes that transport sperm to the semen. ©Copyright 1999 - 2021. A vasectomy won’t prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections. It can take several months after the vasectomy surgery for all the sperm to be ejaculated or reabsorbed, therefore dogs can remain fertile and able to reproduce for a period of time. But it is also a very low risk disease in dogs. This article will refer to the procedure of vasectomy alone. Neutering Your Male Dog – Pros and Cons (for FEMALE dogs, click here.) It is not more complicated to do a vasectomy than a castration. The Pros & Cons of a Vasectomy Procedure Vasectomy is a routine procedure, but you should get all the facts before you decide whether or not it's right for you. The procedure referred to as a “vasectomy” in dogs is a method of birth control which redirects the release of sperm in the male dog during breeding. Dogs with a vasectomy will still experience the same reproductive urges as intact dogs … Dogs with a vasectomy will still experience the same reproductive urges as intact dogs and retain their desire to breed. Controversy surrounding the health risks associated with the neutering (castration) of dogs has lead veterinarians and dog owners to question if there are alternatives. Pre-operative evaluation usually involves a thorough physical examination and may include blood tests. – Following vasectomy surgery, a male dog can successfully breed for up to two months. Anti-testosterone agents (e.g. When a vasectomy is performed in older animals, additional diagnostic tests may be necessary to exclude concurrent diseases and to minimize anesthesia-related risks. What age is appropriate, along with pros and cons of early spay and neutering. The main benefit of vasectomy is that it’s permanent. If you are trying to make the decision whether a vasectomy is the right option for you then it is important to understand both the pros and the cons of the procedure. For more information about the use of zeuterin – go to: Zeuterin. A vasectomy is a small operation a man has to prevent pregnancy. However, that doesn’t mean that the findings don’t apply to smaller dogs too. Should You Get Pet Insurance? They will be a risk to themselves and other people as they negotiate roads. The Pros of A Vasectomy. The veterinary establishment is loath to relinquish its recommendation that full castration (neutering) is the end all and be all when it comes to canine sterilization. They have changed the face of contagious disease like almost no other modern medical discovery. There are definite pros and cons to having a service dog. To date, veterinary schools in the United States focus on teaching the traditional castration surgery. Photo: Skitterphoto. The IHC Group. Even though the procedure has been used for a long time and has been perfected by numerous doctors, there is still a risk anytime someone uses a scalpel on a delicate area. Testicular cancer. When a man reaches orgasm, sperm from the testes enter the sperm via the vas deferens tube. Castration alters a dog’s behavior along with his ability to pass on his genetic material. Health pros and cons. Castration eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer. With a vasectomy the testicles are left intact, allowing reproductive hormone function to continue normally. 13 Responses to My Vasectomy: Pros and Cons of Neutering your Nutsack. Dogs with a vasectomy will still experience the same reproductive urges as intact dogs … Of all the e-mails and phone calls the last five years of blogging has brought my way, the most commonly queried issue has to do with how to source a tubal ligation or vasectomy for dogs. Keep your dog quiet and indoors for approximately 2 weeks after he returns home from the hospital to allow him to heal. No Further Need For Birth Control The use of other types of birth controls can be … Log in. Service dogs (SD) are a dog or miniature horse trained for specific tasks to help … The testicle will still produce sperm but it is reabsorbed by the body. Canine birth control method 4 - the "male pill" - fertility suppressing implants for male dogs. However, it also has the downside of developing certain cancers, hypothyroidism etc. If the castration was performed for reasons other than preventing reproduction, further treatment and/or monitoring may be necessary. The cons of vasectomy: Though there are many pros to the procedure, there are some risks that men need to carefully consider. This prevents sperm from being ejaculated out of the body, thus preventing a male dog’s ability to breed. But there are already too many puppies (and adult dogs) who desperately need homes. Pros and Cons of a Non-scalpel vasectomy Up until the 80’s, conventional vasectomies involved using a scalpel (a sharp blade) to make two incisions on either side of the scrotum. A vasectomy procedure is a form of male birth control that involves the surgical sealing or severance of the vas deferens. (Unlike a vasectomy, castration involves surgical removal of the testicles.) Vasectomy is commonly performed to render pets unable to breed without altering normal hormonal production, thus helping to control pet overpopulation while reducing the developmental impact on the animal. But if you ask veterinarians across the country, the concept of a tubal ligation or vasectomy reeks of the unethical. That’s what I’ve been told by some colleagues, anyway. Neutering your dog or puppy is a very important health decision and should be decided on an individual basis. This is the reason the zoos often do vasectomies in their population of animals so that they can’t rampantly breed but will still maintain the behavior they would often exhibit in the wild. In the US, sterilization involves removal of the reproductive organs (gonadectomy), usually through ovariohysterectomy (spay) of females and orchiectomy (castration) of males. This ensures that the dog will not breed, which is an important stipulation of many adoption contracts. While gonadectomy makes it impossible for the pet to reproduce, what other impacts does a lack of sex hormones have on the pet? These include vasectomy and intratesticular injection of zeuterin. Skin sutures, if present, will be removed in 10 to 14 days. Prevent him from “roughhousing” and do not allow him to be excessively active. Vasectomies don’t prevent STDs. These procedures eliminate the hormones produced by these organs. By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books. Yes, the single most commonly queried issue has to do with how to source a vasectomy for dogs. 10e. There is a correlation between neutering and cruciate rupture in some large breeds, but factors including conformation, weight, and lifestyle could have an influence as well as neutering. It is a bit more complicated to do a tubal ligation than an ovariohysterectomy in a dog or cat. Controversy surrounding the health risks associated with the neutering (castration) of dogs has lead veterinarians and dog owners to question if there are alternatives. But first, what is neutering? It can positively impact on the sexual satisfaction of couples because the worry of falling pregnant isn’t there. As there are pros and cons to everything, we will look at both sides of the coin. Removing the entirety of the testicular tissue permanently eliminates the vast majority of his testosterone production. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. It’s important to note that most studies on the pros and cons of OSS involve larger dogs. The best way to protect yourself and your partner from STDs is to get tested regularly and use condoms. All Rights Reserved. There does seem to be some health benefits but there are some conditions in which the risk is increased by castrating dogs. Check out my other articles on health & feeding. – You might be ostracized and/or interrogated at dog parks and other public venues where only neutered dogs (those without reproductive organs) are allowed. Vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control for men, blocking the passage of sperm when a man ejaculates. Whether we’re talking California, New York, Miami, or the sum total of all the progressive places in between, vasectomy is currently not considered an alternative to traditional castration of dogs. A vasectomy on dogs involves first making an incision in front of the testicle. (Read: less expensive = more dogs sterilized = less overpopulation). As an additional benefit, young dogs who are neutered are less likely to suffer problems with growth and development due to a reduction in hormones as a result of castration. There has been a ton of controversy surrounding spaying and neutering. A vasectomy must be performed in your doctor’s office or a medical facility. Your email address will not be published. 1. Thank you Mister Odie. With this in mind, owners should have a serious discussion with their veterinarian about the pros and cons of neutering and decide what is best for each dog individually. With a vasectomy the testicles are left intact, allowing reproductive hormone function to continue normally. Kibble or Canned Dog Food Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision. There are also many options regarding the type of spaying/neutering procedure that can be carried out on dogs – some methods allowing dogs to keep producing adult hormones such as: an ovary sparing spay or vasectomy. Most vasectomy procedures in dogs are performed on young healthy animals, and extensive pre-operative work-up is not usually necessary. Vasectomised and entire male dogs will nearly all develop prostatic disease in old age. Monitor the incision daily for signs of redness, swelling, or discharge. One exception is the flank approach to OVH, which is preferred in some countries for cats a… Know the pros and cons of vaccinating your dog or cat. All animals and humans deserve to benefit from the protective power of vaccination when they are at risk for contracting a serious or fatal disease. Below are all of the pros and cons of removing a female dog’s reproductive hormones that I considered. Making a decision on whether to have a vasectomy is a deeply personal one, and there are certainly many pros and cons to consider. Effective birth control. 1) It's a surgical procedure. Some veterinarians use nonabsorbable sutures to close the incision that needs to be removed, while others use absorbable sutures beneath the surface of the skin that will absorb on their own. Apparently, it’s near impossible to find veterinarians willing to tackle this simple procedure. 10g. No harm, no foul. Most veterinarians are not routinely taught vasectomy and tubal ligation procedures in school but they are quite easy to perform and can be done by most veterinarians who are willing to learn. 10f. Some breeders embrace the idea of vasectomy as an alternative to traditional neutering as it can be performed on young dogs before a leaving for adoption. I will be “using you” and your post to share the pro’s and con’s with my dear husband. Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way. (Unlike a vasectomy, castration involves surgical removal of the testicles.) Canine birth control method 5 - canine vasectomy. Semen (cum) can still carry STDs, even if it doesn’t contain sperm. With most vasectomy procedures, a single incision is made just in front of the dog’s scrotum. Issues Holding Vets Back From Performing Vasectomy’s on Dogs # 1 Behavior issues. Some believe that vasectomy may become the “norm” in the future while castration will become less common. Puppies are adorable! In modern society, male dogs often destroy property whilst seeking out females. With a vasectomy the testicles are left intact, allowing reproductive hormone function to continue normally. To date, veterinary schools in the United States focus on teaching the traditional castration surgery. This technique has contributed to controlling overall population levels of the unwanted dogs. Overview of Canine Vasectomy The procedure referred to as a “vasectomy” in dogs is a method of birth control which redirects the release of sperm in the male dog during breeding. If you find it is impossible to stop your pet from irritating the area, obtain an “Elizabethan” or “e-collar” which is placed around the neck to prevent access to the incision. Indeed, vasectomies are so rare that I recall being laughed at by my professor in my Principles of Surgery lecture when I asked whether anyone was performing this technique in lieu of castration. And an owner can always choose to completely castrate or spay later. Meghan2 says: July 30, 2012 at 8:59 pm. For more information on the risks of neutering, go to: Pros and Cons of Neutering. Since vasectomy prevents the release of sperm from the penis but not the release to testosterone, there is no decrease in the libido or sex drive of the man. Male dominance aggression will increase the danger to all involved in these situations. 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