Is it time to neuter?
Once your pet is six months of age it is a good idea as part of a preventative health care scheme to get your pet neutered. Suzhy Winfield RVN and Julie Howard of VetSavers offer their advice
Why neuter your pet?
Neutering is mainly recommended for medical benefits and should not change your pet’s character, but may help with certain undesirable traits such as aggression, dominant behaviour and the desire to roam. Your female pet’s risk of mammary cancer is very low if she is spayed before her first season, and she will be spared the risk of post-season complications such as life-threatening womb infections that can occur after any season. The hassle involved with bitches when they are in season is also taken away, as well as the mess. Some bitches even need to be kept house bound due to the unwanted attention from male dogs when out, which can be frustrating for both dog and owner. Male dogs become less interested in females in season once they themselves have been neutered. Castration can also dramatically reduce the risk of certain types of cancer including testicular and prostate cancer. And of course neutering is the best way to prevent any unwanted pregnancies!
So what does having your pet neutered involve?
If your pet is female it is spayed, removing both ovaries and the uterus. If your pet is male it is castrated removing both testicles. Both procedures require a general anaesthetic, which carries a very small risk of complications at a young age. The length of time the operation takes will depend on whether your pet is a cat, dog or rabbit, as well as what breed and size it is. These procedures require a days stay at the vets – your pet is admitted in the morning and discharged the same day. They may need to return to the vets for post-operative checks and for stitches to be removed, but recovery usually takes just a few days to a week.
VetSavers Cardea Unit 2 Bellona Drive Cardea Peterborough PE2 8GP Tel: 01733 889236 VetSavers Hampton Dobbies Garden Centre Cygnet Park, Hampton Peterborough PE7 8NY Tel: 07707 994966 Emergencies only: 01733 562904
