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Castration in Pets (AKA Neuter)

General information

Castration (Orchiectomy) is the surgical removal of the testicles.  Such surgery is performed to eliminate sexual activities and render the pet sterile.  Castration usually (but not always) reduces your pet’s tendency to roam and fight.  The general level of aggression may also be reduced.  However, castration is not a replacement for obedience training by the owner.

In older pets, castration my be necessary due to diseases of the testicles or prostate gland.  This is more common in the dog.

Your pet will be given a preoperative physical exam to help ensure its safety during the anesthesia and surgery.  We also require a pre-anesthetic blood work panel prior to surgery.  Recovery is generally uneventful, and the aftercare is minimal.

Home Care

  1. Exercise:  Restrict your pet’s activity to leash walking for a 5-7 days post surgery.  This will help to minimize swelling… especially in dogs.
  2. Incision:  Check the incision at least once daily.  Report any abnormalities to the doctor.  (The scrotal sac will swell a little and this is normal.  However, please notify the doctor if the scrotum is bigger than before the testicles were removed.)
  3. Sutures:  Only dogs will need a skin suture removal in 10-14 days.    This is not necessary in cats as there are no external sutures to remove.
  4. Special instructions:
    • Feed only 1/4 to 1/2 the pet’s normal meal the night of the surgery.  Normal meal amount can be fed the following day.
    • No bathing or swimming until the sutures are out.  Keep the surgery site clean and dry.  Check the site at least once a day to make sure there is no drainage or discharge from the incision.  Your pet may occasional lick or clean the area.  This is ok as long as there is not excessive irritation or is done so much that the sutures are disturbed.  Notify the hospital if there are any concerns.   Occasionally an elizabethan collar is necessary to prevent excessive licking.
    • In dogs, you can cold pack the area 3 times daily for the first 3 days to minimize swelling.  (frozen peas wrapped in a towel can work well as a cold pack)

Notify the doctor  at 918-794-5566 if any of the following occur:

  • Your pet chews or damages the incision.
  • Your pet seems depressed or refuses to eat.
  • The incision or scrotum is red, swollen, or has any type of discharge.