NEUTERING
What is neutering?
Neutering for males involves surgically removing both testicles which ends their ability to breed; for females, the uterus and both ovaries are removed. This involves a general anaesthetic, usually a day-long stay at the vets and is recommended for non-breeding pets due to the many health and behavioural benefits associated.
What are the benefits?
The chances of developing certain diseases can be dramatically reduced, for example mammary tumours in females and some prostate problems in males. Other conditions can be eradicated altogether by neutering and this is true for a serious infection of the womb in females known as ‘pyometra’.
Behavioural benefits to neutering include the reduction of straying in cats and dogs. For cats, this also reduces the likelihood of being wounded in fights and passing on diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and the Feline Leukameia Virus.
How do I know if neutering is right for my pet?
We will happily discuss the pros and cons of neutering with you, based on what is right for the individual. Commonly owners decide to neuter unless they plan to breed from their pet. We will also discuss the right time to carry out the procedure, which is often during adolescence, although neutering can also benefit older pets.