Services : Neutering & Spaying

Dogs

We feel that both male dogs and bitches enjoy an enhanced quality of life after being neutered.

Female dogs benefit from not having to be separated from dogs in the duration for their season, no unwanted puppies, no false pregnancies and no uterine infections (pyometra) which can be life threatening in later life.

Bitches that are neutered before their second season have a marked reduction in risk of mammary tumours.

Contrary to popular belief a bitch does not need to have puppies to be "fulfilled" and neither does having puppies stop a bitch from getting pyometras or mammary tumours in later life.

We would recommend spaying (ovariohysterectomy) between the first and second season but it we will carry out the procedure from 6 months of age if it is necessary in the individual circumstances to avoid a season altogether.

We would normally check a bitch over before the operation to make sure there is no residual mammary activity (false pregnancy) and also that another season is not imminent.

Male dogs can also be neutered from 6 months of age.

This can have medical benefits such as the avoidance of the majority of prostate problems.

Neutering is often recommended for some behaviour problems and would be advisable if a dog is showing antisocial tendencies such as mounting cushions and toys, aggression to male dogs and roaming.

If you are considering have your dog neutered for behavioural reasons we would advise you to speak with one of our vets before the procedure as it is not always the most appropriate course of action.

Also further behaviour training in addition to neutering may be advisable.

Cats

We advise neutering of both male and female cats from 5 months of age.

There are always too many kittens needing homes, and older cats available in rescue centres so feel feel it is socially responsible to have a pet cat neutered unless there is a strong reason for breeding.

Entire cats have a tendency to wander putting them at higher risk for straying and being involved inaccidents or fights.

They also are at increased risk for close contact diseases such as FeLV (feline leukaemia) and FIV (feline AIDS).

Rabbits

We would strongly recommend having your pet rabbit neutered.

Unneutered rabbits of both sexes are highly territorial and difficult to bond and litter train.

Female rabbits are at high risk of developing uterine tumours, which often have spread by the time they are detected and also does can get very aggressive at certain times of year with the hormone changes associated with seasons and false pregnancies.

We can neutered male rabbits from around 4 to 5 months and females from about 6 months but it depends a lot on the individual rabbit's size and development.

If your rabbit is under 6 months and you wish to have him or her neutered for any reason, such as having a male/female pairing we would ask you to make an appointment to get them checked over by a vet.

This way we can see if they are big enough to get neutered and that they are the sex you think they are as it is not uncommon for mistakes to be made when a rabbit is very young!