Neutering
Neutering your dog or cat will not only prevent them from reproducing but also has many more health benefits.
Female dogs which are neutered will no longer be at risk of ovarian cancer or pyometra (infection of the womb) and will have a significantly reduced chance of developing mammary gland cancer. They – and their owners! – will also benefit from the lack of ‘seasons’ which are typically twice yearly and can be very messy and stressful for all involved.
Male dogs which are neutered will no longer be at risk of testicular tumours and have a significantly reduced chance of developing prostate problems, such as prostatic cysts, abscesses or overactive prostate glands. Neutering may also reduce the degree of undesirable testosterone-driven behaviour in dogs, such as roaming, mounting and dog-to-dog aggression.
Small breed dogs can be neutered from six months of age and large breed dogs from 12 months of age.
Please also see our Keyhole Surgery page for more details on keyhole surgery spays in dogs.
To read some of our most commonly asked questions about dog neutering, click here.
Cat neutering
Cats can be neutered from four months of age. Female cats can have unwanted behavioural changes when in season and can be very vocal. Un-neutered male cats are more prone to fighting, which not only increases their risk of injuries but also makes them more susceptible to picking up feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, which can be spread by biting.
Rabbit neutering
Rabbits can also benefit from neutering. This can be both from a behaviour perspective, as it reduces aggression in both male and female rabbits, and also a health perspective, as it removes the risk of womb cancer in female. Male rabbits can be neutered from four months old and female rabbits from five months old.
Other animals
Neutering may benefit other species such as guinea pigs, rats and ferrets but please contact us to discuss further with one of our veterinary team.