Neutering is routinely performed by our vets on a daily basis. The decision as to whether to have your pet castrated or spayed should be carefully considered and discussed with one of our vets.
Reasons for Castration
- To make the animal infertile, so he cannot father puppies / kittens.
- To decrease the chances of adults roaming after females on heat.
- To prevent testicular cancer or to remove the testicles if testicular cancer is diagnosed.
- To help with the problem of overactive sexual behaviour.
- In dogs, to decrease the risk of prostatic disease and other problems associated with high levels of testosterone.
- To help with aggression towards other animals.
- In cats, to prevent unwanted spraying (urine) in the house
Reasons for Spaying
- To prevent her having puppies / kittens.
- To help reduce the chances of developing mammary tumours or uterine problems like pyometra (infection of the uterus).
- To prevent false pregnancies in the bitch.
- To stop coming into season and all the associated headaches that come with this.
The Castration Procedure
Castration involves complete excision and removal of the testicles from the scrotal sac under general anaesthetic.
The Spay Procedure
Our vets perform a complete ovariohysterectomy, which means removal of the womb and the ovaries. This is because the hormones produced to trigger pregnancy and heats are excreted from the ovaries.
Weight Gain
Neutering will not cause weight gain, but neutered animals are more prone to gaining weight. This is easily controlled by monitoring their diet and exercise.
A Day in the Life…
- Upon arrival, you and your pet are taken into a consulting room. A nurse or vet will go through a consent form; you will be required to read this form , ask any questions you are unsure of and sign , giving us autherisation to perform the procedure.
- Your pet is weighed, fully examined by a vet and then assigned his/her own comfy kennel.
- If requested, blood is taken for the pre-op blood test – this looks at the blood cells and liver/kidney function and is highly recommended in older pets.
- A pre-medication is given by injection to calm your pet down This also acts as a pain killer and decreases the dose of anaesthetic required.
- A general anaesthetic is usually administered by intravenous injection. A tube is then placed down the windpipe that is used to allow the flow of oxygen and gaseous anaesthetic to your pet’s lungs to keep him/her asleep.
- A large area of fur is clipped from your pet around the area for surgery (e.g. tummy for spays).
- This area is cleaned using a surgical scrub to make the skin sterile.
- Your pet is then transferred to our sterile operating theatre.
- A veterinary surgeon will scrub up and put on a hat, sterile gown and surgical gloves.
- A veterinary nurse, under supervision of the veterinary surgeon, will constantly monitor your pet’s anaesthetic.
- Using a sterile surgical kit and suture materials, your pet’s surgery is performed.
- During the surgery your pet will be on a specialist heated bed to ensure they remain warm.
- Your pet will be given appropriate antibiotic and pain killing injections, dependent on the procedure being performed.
- Monitored recovery is back in the same comfy kennel.
- You are called to arrange a pick-up appointment, which may be with a vet or nurse – full information will be given at that time.