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Influence of orchiectomy on canine behaviour
Author(s) -
Maarschalkerweerd R. J.,
Endenburg N.,
Kirpensteijn J.,
Knol B. W.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.140.24.617
Subject(s) - orchiectomy , medicine , urination , castration , testosterone (patch) , appetite , aggression , sexual behavior , physiology , clinical psychology , hormone , psychiatry , urinary system
One hundred and twenty‐two dog owners were interviewed to obtain information about the effects of orchiectomy on the behaviour, unwanted side effects, and testosterone‐dependent disease processes in their dogs. Behavioural problems were the main reason for orchiectomy, unwanted sexual behaviour being the most common, together with roaming, aggression, and abnormal urination behaviour. Objectionable sexual behaviour, inter‐male aggression, roaming, and abnormalurination were reduced after orchiectomy in approximately 60 per cent of the dogs. The side effects of orchiectomy included increased bodyweight, increased appetite and decreased activity in less than 50 per cent of the dogs, and there was asignificant relationship between increased appetite and bodyweight. The clinical signs of testosterone‐dependent disease in most of the dogs either decreased or disappeared after orchiectomy.