What is Scrotal Ablation Surgery?

Having your pet male dog sterilised or de-sexed is a common surgical procedure which is also referred to as castration. Castration involves the removal of both of the dog’s testicles and the surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic.

If castration is performed when the dog is young, the skin of the scrotum usually contracts and soon becomes minimally noticeable. However if the castration surgery is performed in a mature dog, or in some younger larger breeds, the skin of the scrotum may be more pendulous and obvious.

Because of this, if you have a mature male dog that is due to be castrated, the veterinarian may recommend that the dog has a scrotal ablation as part of the castration procedure. Scrotal ablation is a surgical procedure to remove the excess pendulous skin of the scrotum so that the skin sits flat, reducing the risk of post-operative swelling or infection.

Scrotal ablation is also recommended in cases where there may be infection, injury or cancer affecting the scrotum, and it may also be performed when surgery is required to relieve a blocked urethra.

Scrotal ablation surgery involves the removal of the excess scrotal skin, with the resulting wound edges sutured together. The dog’s testicles can be removed through the same surgical incision, leaving just one incision site to be sutured.

For more information about scrotal ablation and castration in dogs, speak to one of our friendly team at Sydney Animal Hospitals.