What is neutering?
Neutering is a surgical procedure carried out under anaesthetic. In a male animal, both testes are removed from a small incisions made in the scrotum. In females the uterus and ovaries are removed via an incision either on the left side or underneath.
There are lots of benefits and reasons why you should get your animal neutered early.
Early neutering in dogs
In bitches the benefits are:
- No false pregnancies. This is very common in bitches and can occur after a season, which results in distress for the animal and the owner. If the bitch is going through a false pregnancy you may notice a loss in appetite, abnormal behaviour, and she also may be producing milk.
- Reduced risk for her getting mammary tumours. If your dog has not been spayed the risk of her getting mammary tumours increases after every season she has.
- Pyometra* and other uterine disease are avoided. Pyometra is very dangerous and can be life threatening.
*Pyometra is an infection of the uterus (womb). It is a common condition in older female dogs that have not been spayed, but can occur in un-spayed dogs of any age.
In dogs, the benefits of early neutering are:
- Getting the dog castrated can minimise straying nuisance and unwanted litters.
- Can minimise sexual behaviour towards bitches, people and objects.
- Can minimise cocking his leg everywhere he goes.
- Can also help but always with aggressive and dominance aggressive behaviour.
- Also can minimise the risk of testicular and prostate tumours.
Early neutering in cats
After your female cat has been spayed, the benefits are that they are less likely to wander, stray and call. The likelihood of her developing mammary tumours and pyometra is reduced.
After castration, a male cat is less likely to wander and spray. The likelihood of developing testicular cancer is reduced.
Neutering reduces the chance that cats may contract infectious diseases and other illnesses. Male cats in particular will improve in body condition and their urine will smell less pungent.
The one downfall in neutering is that you may notice that your animal will gain weight, but this can be monitored and you can help this by reducing there food intake or feeding a neutered diet which are tailored made with higher protein and fiber to make your animal feel fuller for longer.
If you do not plan on your pet having a litter, neutering is highly recommended, if only to reduce the chances of unwanted litters. Animal homes are already very full.
Please contact us if you would like to book your pet in for a discussion about neutering. Our numbers are:
Teddington: 0208 977 3955
Shepperton: 01932 229 900
Surbiton: 0208 390 5270