Neutering

 Dogs

 

Males

Males can be castrated from 6 months old.  We normally recommend waiting a bit longer if you have a larger breed.  You should only castrate your dog if he is confident with people and other dogs.  If you think your dog might be a bit nervous or aggressive please ring us for advice.

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Castration involves removing their testicles through a small incision just in front of their scrotum. 

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Advantages of castration are:

  • Less likely to roam

  • No chance of them developing testicular cancers

  • Reduces the risk of prostate problems

 

Females

Females can be speyed 2-3 months after their first season.  (Speying before their first season can increase the risk or urinary incontinence and orthopaedic problems.)  Speying involves removal of their uterus and ovaries

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Advantages of speying are:

  • No seasons

  • No unwanted pregnancies

  • No phantom pregnancies (and therefore a reduced chance they will develop mastitis)

  • No possibility of developing a pyometra (a life-threatening womb infection)

  • Reduced chance of developing mammary tumours (especially if you spey them before their second season) 

Cats

 

Both males and females fan be neutered from 5 months old.  There are numerous behavioural and medical advantages to having your cat neutered:

 

Males

Castrating your cat involves surgical removal of their testicles, through 2 holes in their scrotum  Advantages of castration include:

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  • Less likely to roam, as they won’t be interested in searching for females

  • Less aggressive, therefore less likely to fight.  This in turn reduces the risk of the developing abscesses or becoming infected with serious diseases such as FeLV and FIV

  • Prevention of unwanted litters

  • Reduction of the strong odour of their urine

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Females

Speying your cat involves removing their uterus and their ovaries, through a small incision normally on their side.  Advantages of speying are:

  • No unwanted pregnancies

  • Can’t develop pyometra (a life threatening womb infection)

  • Less chance of developing mammary tumours