SURGICAL TECHNIQUES AND POSTOPERATIVE CARE OF ORCHIECTOMY IN DOGS

Abstract

This article reviews the main surgical techniques and clinical care guidelines necessary for the successful performance of orchiectomy in dogs. Elective orchiectomy is a common procedure, essential for population control, mitigation of undesirable behaviors, and prevention of andrological diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, the timing of neutering requires individualized evaluation, since early castration may be associated with an increased risk of orthopedic disorders and neoplastic conditions in predisposed breeds. In the surgical context, the conventional technique coexists with laparoscopic castration, which stands out as a minimally invasive method resulting in less tissue trauma and reduced postoperative pain and stress. For procedural success, adequate analgesic management (with NSAIDs and opioids) and maintenance of thermoregulation during the perioperative period are essential to mitigate complications and ensure the patient’s welfare and rapid recovery.