Neutering

Neutering is the name given to the general operating procedure, and is used for both male and females.

Both female and male cats can be neutered from 6 months of age.

CATS

Males Cats

This procedure is called castration and is the surgical removal of the testicles.

Reasons for:

Reduction of the strong odour of urine.
Less likely to stray or roam.
Reduction in aggressive behaviour and therefore less likely to fight, reducing the risk of becoming infected with Felv, FIV etc
Prevention of unwanted litters.

Female Cats

This procedure is called spaying and consists of the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus.

Reasons for:

She will have no more seasons.
No unwanted pregnancies.
No life-threatening womb infections (pyometra.)
The chances of getting mammary tumours are reduced.

If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to ask for advice.

DOGS

Male Dogs

Castration involves the surgical removal of the testicles and can be done from the age of 6 months old.

Reasons for:

Removes natural urges to roam and other undesirable behaviour like mounting.
Reduces or remove the risk of some potentially life-threating medical problems such as hernias, prostate tumours, testicular tumours.

Please note that if you have a dog with aggressive tendencies then neutering will not cure the problem; castration only reduces the level of circulating testosterone it does not remove it, and therefore behavioural advice must be sought.

Female Dogs

Spaying involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus. The age that you spay a bitch varies from vet to vet. There are a lot of reasons surrounding this question and as an owner you have to way up what is right for you.

Spaying before the first season (before puberty) can increase the risk of urinary incontinence, also the vulva remains small and therefore can cause urine scald. Because early neutering removes sex hormones, this delays maturation of the osteoclasts resulting in the delayed closing of the growth plates of the long bones, thereby increasing the risk of numerous orthopaedic disorders.

The optimum time to spay is 3 months after the first season has finished, when the body has reached maturity.

Reasons for:

No seasons.
No unwanted pregnancies.
No life-threatening womb infections (pyometra.)
Reduced risk of getting hormone induced mammary tumours.
No phantom pregnancies.

If you have any concerns in regards to why and when to neuter please call the surgery for more advice.

RABBITS

Male Rabbits

Bucks can be castrated as soon as the testicles descend, which are around three to five months of age. This procedure involves surgical removal of the testicles.

Reasons for:

Eliminates behavioural changes associated with sexual maturity such as mounting, spraying and aggression.
Can live with a doe (preferably neutered.)
Easier to house train.
Prevents unwanted breeding.

Female Rabbits

Does can be spayed from four to six months of age, with smaller breeds maturing at four months. This procedure involves surgical removal of the ovaries and the uterus.

Reasons for:

Reduces the risk of uterine adenocarinoma.
Stops uterine infections (pyometra.)
No unwanted pregnancies.
Stops phantom pregnancies.
Removes behavioural problems associated with sexual maturyity such as nesting, mounting, aggression and mood swings.
Easier to litter train.

If you have any concerns please call the surgery for advice.

GUINEA PIGS

The only valid, non-medical reason to neuter your male guinea pig is because you want to pair him with a female. Neutering does little to change any behavioural aggression, mounting or sexual behaviour of guinea pigs. All it will do is prevent unwanted pregnancies. There is no reason to neuter two boys living together, as if they don’t get along to start with they probably never will. Castration can be performed at any age when he has reached his mature weight and his testicles have dropped. Castration involves the surgical removal of the testicles. Spaying a female is generally considered a riskier surgical procedure.

If you have any concerns please call the surgery for advice.