NEUTERING ADVICE
We Recommend Neutering!
Unless you are planning to breed your pets, we recommend that you have them neutered.
This prevents unplanned or unwanted pregnancies and can protect against various diseases including pyometra (infected womb) and mammary, testicular and prostate cancers. It may also reduce straying, aggression and other antisocial behaviours.
Dogs
Male dogs can be castrated from six months old, providing they do not have any behavioural or health issues and both testicles have descended. For large breeds, we suggest waiting until they are fully grown which may be 12-18 months dependent on breed.
We recommend that females are spayed around six months old, but before they have their first season (providing they do not have urinary issues or behavioural issues). If they have had a season, pregnancy or a false/phantom pregnancy we advise waiting three months after this has occurred to try and prevent being spayed around the time of their next season as this can carry more risks.
All animals will be checked over the morning of their procedure to ensure they are healthy enough and are appropriate for the procedure. Neutering in dogs can prevent unwanted litters, mammary/testicular/prostate tumours, health issues relating to the reproductive tract (very importantly- against pyometras which can be a life threatening condition) and in some cases can reduce the hormones which may calm dogs down slightly.
Cats
Male cats can be castrated and female cats can be spayed ideally from five months old however in some rare cases can be performed from three months old (dependent on weight, health condition, and development). However we request that you book with a vet first of all to have your pet fully examined before the day of the procedure.
Neutering your cat can help prevent unwanted pregnancies, straying, health issues in later life such as mammary/prostate tumours or issues related to their reproductive organs.
Rabbits
Male rabbits can be neutered from four months of age (three months if a larger rabbit), providing both testicles have descended and there are no behavioural or health issues. Female rabbits can also be neutered from four months of age.
This can help prevent uterine cancers, mammary/testicular tumours, false/phantom pregnancies, issues relating to the reproductive tract and unwanted litters.
Before The Day
Please see the below pre-operative information which outlines what you need to do in advance of your visit.
On The Day
Both Dogs and Cats need to stay with us in the surgery for the day. We will provide them with pain relief by injection at the time, and they will also go home with more for the next day or two just to avoid unnecessary discomfort. We use intradermal dissolvable skin stitches, which means we do not have to physically remove the sutures.
Post-Surgery Care
Information on aftercare will be given to you during your discharge appointment with our Vets or Nurses and sent to you via PetsApp.
For Dogs, we do ask you to keep them on a short lead, for at least 7 days, to minimise the risk of any complications. On some occasions, your pet may need to wear a buster collar for around 7 days to stop excessive licking which could introduce infection into the wound.
Post-Surgery Check
Information on after-care will be given to you during your discharge appointment with our Vets or Nurses and sent to you via PetsApp.
For most routine operations, we ask that you get in touch with us through PetsApp around 5 days after the procedure. You can also upload send us a photograph of the surgical site so we can inspect this.
Once inspected, we will let you know if everything looks well, or if we believe a physical examination would be more appropriate.
