Vilken information får hundägare i samband med kastrering av sin hanhund?

Abstract: BACKGROUND Until 1988, it was forbidden to neuter male dogs in Sweden without a veterinary medical cause, so there is clearly no long tradition of this procedure in healthy dogs. According to the website of The Swedish Kennel Club (SKK), February 11, 2011, there has been an increase of castrated male dogs in Sweden. They see this increase as worrying, especially in cases of the less common breeds, where it is most important to maintain the gene pool. The SKK expresses concern that castration is used as a tool to influence the personality of dogs, instead of training and education of the dog. They write that castration should be preceded by a discussion initiated by the veterinarian, where the pros and cons of castration are weighed against each other. The Swedish Veterinary Association shares the SKK's views and developed a standpoint stating that they do not think veterinarians should recommend castration of healthy dogs without having a discussion with the owner in each case. METHODS, MATERIAL AND RESULTS A questionnaire was designed for Swedish dog owners with the question “What information do dog owners get concerning castration of their male dog?” Of the 71 dog owners who responded to the survey, the majority (76%) answered that they had received sufficient information before they decided to have their male dog castrated. The majority of dog owners who responded to the survey received verbal information (80%), while a third of dog owners who responded to the survey also received written information. Dog owners said they received information about the procedure of the castration, the expected effects of castration and the possible side effects of the castration. Dog owners were also asked about which side effects they were informed of. 75% of dog owners who responded to the survey had been told that the dog's appetite could increase after castration and 83% of dog owners had been informed that there was an increased risk that the dog could become overweight after castration. About half of the dog owners had been notified that the dog’s coat could change, and one-third had been informed that there is an increased risk of incontinence. Only one person received information about the risk of osteoporosis after castration. 11% of dog owners had been informed that there is a risk of temperament changes with increased aggressiveness after castration, a side effect in the study by Andersson (2001) that was noted to affect 4% of the castrated males that were included in her study. SUMMARY The results of this survey indicate that most dog owners received information that the dog could gain weight after castration. Information about other possible side effects could be considered inadequate.