If you’re a pitbull owner, the most life-saving choice you’ll need to make is whether to neuter your pet. Neutering is a procedure done on a male dog to remove the organs that help them reproduce, avoiding unnecessary pregnancies and decreasing the chances of future health problems.
Since timing is important, when is the appropriate age to neuter a pitbull? Though not easy to answer, vets say to fix your dog from the ages of 5 to 10 months old for safe results because this is when your dog hits puberty.
This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of neutering your pitbull at different ages to assist you in making the best decision possible while providing you with the tips you need to care for them after the procedure.
What is the Best Age to Neuter a Pitbull?
Neutering is a safe surgery where your male pitbull’s testicles are removed to ensure they can no longer breed and to decrease the chances of health issues in the future. The best age for this procedure is debatable in the veterinary community and between dog owners.
The most common age for most dogs is from 6 to 9 months before your pet hits puberty. This age timeframe is essential because if not neutered by this point, you will experience unwanted behaviors with your pitbull, including marking, aggressiveness and roaming. It also helps reduce the chances your dog is diagnosed with testicular cancer or has prostate issues when it’s older.
However, some new research reports claim that neutering during the puppy stages has its fair share of problems. One drawback to consider is stunted growth and bone development, which could cause joint pain and related health risks as it ages. You can also expect your pitbull’s personality to change along with its temperament, affecting its happiness.
Respected veterinarians in the medical community currently suggest waiting until the pitbull is a one-year-old before deciding to neuter them. It gives the dog a chance to get stronger and develop an adult’s body, decreasing health risks and complications while on the operating table. Giving your dog time also lets you study their behavior to decide if neutering is necessary or desirable for both parties.
The ideal age to neuter your pitbull will hinge on many factors, including their personal wants, current health issues, and what you prefer as their owners. No matter how much research you do, always take your pitbull to a veterinarian before making final decisions.
How to Care For Your Pitbull After Neutering
After being neutered, your pitbull will need constant care in the first few days. Below are some tips you can follow to care for your pet after the surgery:
1. Control Their Movements
You must decide what’s best for your dog because it won’t understand that the fresh incision after the procedure takes time to heal.
Once you take it home after being neutered, your dog will enter the recovery phase. Ensure your pitbull does not move around often and only when necessary. This step is difficult if your puppy is hyperactive and loves to play.
The best idea is to keep it on a temporary leash, remove any toys or distractions and if you don’t have one already, invest in a crate to restrict movement further when needed.
At this time, it’s best to keep your playful child away from your pitbull because if your child starts to run, it will excite your dog and prevent it from resting.
2. Protect the Wound
Fresh wounds become very itchy after one to two days when they start to heal, which is frustrating for dogs with little patience. Humans feel the same way after a wound from a recent surgery starts to close.
Since pitbulls don’t understand how scratching their wounds will harm their recovery, this will be a problem. If they continue to scratch without being stopped, an infection could form, and it will take double the time to seal itself naturally.
One good idea to prevent this is to try using a cone. A cone doesn’t allow them to lick and bite at the wound.
Another good idea would be to check the wound every two to four hours. It’s helpful to ensure it doesn’t start to redden or produce a foul stench. If this situation occurs, you can be almost certain an infection has formed, and you should take your pitbull to the vet immediately.
3. Use a Leash When You Go Out
When your dog has the motivation and feels like a walk in the park, you can take them, but you must be cautious and take it slowly.
Don’t allow them to run or jump on anything; try to avoid whatever excites your dog. If they try to run or jump, it’s almost guaranteed the wound will open up again if it’s not entirely healed, and this will extend recovery time.
Always keep your dog on a leash to keep them from getting out of control and going anywhere they want. There are many durable leashes on the market available that will make this easy for you.
Possible Issues After Neutering Your Pitbull
The fact is that your dog will be in an inevitable amount of pain after the surgery is finished, and depending on the breed, there will be complications. Don’t lose your cool, and watch their recovery calmly. Below are some issues you should expect:
Dehiscence of the Surgical Incision
Dehiscence is when a wound or incision previously closed after surgery reopens suddenly. This problem often occurs in dogs by self-trauma when the wound bothers them.
Your best bet is to tell your veterinarian not to make the stitches too tight because it will be more painful and uncomfortable for your pitbull. A cone will be helpful if loose stitching still frustrates your dog.
Bruising
Bruising is normal after a surgical procedure because bleeding will always be an issue a few hours later.
You can expect the tissue to heal after one to two weeks. If you find your dog is still bleeding six or more hours after the surgery, head back to the doctor as soon as possible.
Vomiting and Diahhrea
Anasthesia will make your pitbull feel dizzy, which leads to excessive vomiting and diarrhea. It’s common for this to happen, but if it lasts longer than one day, you should head straight to the hospital in the morning.
Infections
Infections after surgery don’t often occur if you hire a competent veterinarian and you follow all the instructions given to you the night before.
The most common reason they form is when you don’t monitor your dog, and it decides to lick and scratch the wound. If you find yourself busy, using a cone is best, so your dog requires less supervision.
Conclusion
Deciding when to neuter your pitbull is not an easy choice to make, and it’s important enough that you need to consider all the factors you can. Most vets will give you their opinion, but there is no one size fits all answer as to when you should neuter your pitbull. There will be pros and cons no matter what age you decide is the best time to fix your dog
In the end, the two best steps you can take are to read as much as you can about the topic and then bring your findings to your veterinarian for a consult.
