- Eliot Kaplan, DVM -


Older dogs are frequently presented to me with growths around their anus known as perianal adenomas. They are harmless, benign tumors that are simply a nuisance. They are often itchy to the dog and will sometimes ulcerate. As a result, wherever the dog sits in the house, he might leave smudges of blood that can be very annoying.

The dogs that are presented with this type of growth are usually male dogs that are not neutered. The reason for this is simple. These tumors require testosterone to grow. If a dog has been neutered, his major source of testosterone has been removed and these tumors never develop. These growths are usually not very large so they can be easily removed with surgery. They can also be resolved with cryosurgery. In other words, frozen like a wart. Around 7 days after freezing, they simply fall off and the remaining open area heals nicely over another two or three weeks.

The problem is that if the dog is not neutered, new ones will occur and the process begins all over again. In most cases, if the dog is neutered once the perianal adenomas occur, the tumors will regress with no other treatment.
Last month, I discussed a condition known as perineal hernia in the dog. It is not nearly as common as perianal adenoma but it is much more serious and difficult to effectively treat. Both conditions have one thing in common. They almost never occur at all if the dog has been neutered. So here is another reason to neuter your male dog.

Besides saving money on a yearly basis (many municipalites charge less to license neutered dogs) and preventing prostate infection, the neutering will prevent perineal hernia as well as perianal adenoma.

It seems to me, that if you have a male dog that you are not planning to use for breeding or engage him in work that requires him to be intact, having him neutered is simply a no-brainer. Some believe that neutering can lead to inactivity and obesity. This is only true if the owner overfeeds the dog and does not encourage the dog to exercise. It is for these reasons I recommend neutering male dogs. It can save the owner money in the long run and the dog pain and discomfort.

2006-08