Puppy & Dog Neutering
Dog Neutering is a very common veterinary procedure performed at Blythwood Vets. Pet Neutering or castration can be performed as young as six months, although ideally, your dog would be fully mature before the surgery is performed and this may be up to 2 years in large breed dogs.
Pet Neutering for male dogs is a short procedure to remove both testicles, taking approximately half an hour. Spaying for female dogs is a more complex operation to remove the ovaries and the uterus, completed before their first season around six months or three months after their first season.
After your puppy or dog has been neutered, it will need some rest and recovery time. This varies between dog breeds, however, from experience we usually find they are well the day after surgery and can return to normal exercise and behaviours within 7 days for males and roughly 2 weeks for females. We provide detailed instructions on how best to care for your dog including at-home pain relief and check-up appointments to ensure a speedy recovery.
The benefits for you and your dog are as follows:
- Castration & Spaying prevents unwanted pregnancies.
- Male neutering or castration prevents the risk of testicular tumours and prostatic problems.
- Castration can reduce or even stop hypersexual behaviour, such as mounting and urine scent-making
- Some non-castrated males can develop aggressive behaviours towards other males. Castration may reduce this behaviour.
- Spaying female dogs prevent the risks associated with phantom pregnancies, mammary tumours and uterus infections such as pyometra
We understand the worries and concerns you may have when neutering your dog. Blythwood Vets want to reassure you by giving honest and trusted advice to allow you to make an informed decision. We offer pre-neutering consultations with our Vets who can tailor the advice specific to your pet.
Book a pet neutering appointment
Cat Neutering & Kitten Neutering
Cat Neutering has lasting benefits for your cat's health and as a pet owner. Cats become sexually mature at a young age, therefore we recommend that all cats are neutered from 4 months of age, however, we can perform right through to adulthood.
This is important to help prevent unwanted pregnancies and has health and lifestyle benefits for both male and female cats, especially if you intend to let them outside. We strongly advise that all cats are kept indoors until they are neutered.
Why should I neuter my cat?
Non-neutered cats - particularly toms (male cats) - are susceptible to several conditions including; cat bite abscesses, Feline immunodeficiency virus (cat AIDS) and Feline leukaemia virus
What is Castrating?
This is neutering male cats (toms) through removing their testicles. The process is usually performed at 5 - 6 months of age once they have reached sexual maturity. It is a short and simple procedure performed under general anaesthetic. This helps stop preventing unwanted pregnancies, the tendency to roam, "spraying" urine to mark their territory and the spread of disease through fighting.
What is Spaying?
This is the process of cat neutering for females; both their uterus and ovaries are removed under general anaesthetic. The procedure is usually performed at 5 - 6 months of age. The advantage of this procedure includes preventing unwanted pregnancies; unwanted visits from male cats and pyometra which is a life-threatening infection of the uterus.
What about aftercare?
For both cat neutering procedures, we provide pain relief during the operation, and your cat will be sent home with some as well. We will also send them home with detailed discharge instructions to help you continue their care at home. It is best to keep them indoors during the recovery period to keep a close eye on them, this is usually around 10 days.
If you would like to book a pre-neutering appointment or have any questions about pet neutering, please give your local Blythwood Vets branch a call or book a consultation. Our professional team will be more than happy to help.
Book a pet neutering appointment
