Neutering

NEUTERING OF THE BITCH

Bitch Spay / Ovario-hysterectomy - Common questions and answers

At what age should my bitch be neutered?
Bitches can be spayed at 5-6 months old in most cases. Some owners prefer to wait until after the first season. The operation is then best done 12 weeks after the end of this season.

What if I want to breed from my bitch?
If you decide you would like to breed, we can only recommend that you look into the subject and consider your decision carefully. Breeding can be very rewarding, although a lot of time, effort and money can be needed. An inexperienced breeder may find they have taken on much more than they bargained for!

Why should I have my bitch neutered?
Over her lifetime a bitch in season will have to be kept confined to the home for an average of 6 weeks a year for 13 years. Having her neutered allows her to have an extra 78 weeks or one and a half years active life!

• Neutering is the only way you can permanently prevent unwanted pregnancy and false pregnancy.
• Prevention of pyometra (pus in the womb) in later life. This condition is life threatening.
• If performed before the second season, it significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumours.
• Reduces the risk of diabetes mellitus.

Are there any side effects?
Fluffy coat occurs in some breeds

A very small percentage of bitches may develop urinary incontinence later in life. This is usually in the form of a small amount of “leaking” over night and can be controlled with medication.

I have heard that neutered bitches become fat.
Any dog fed more food than it needs for its lifestyle will put on weight regardless of whether it has been neutered or not. Neutered bitches have reduced calorie needs and sensible feeding and regular exercise will prevent weight gain after surgery.

Some people say that neutering my bitch will change her character.
Neutering your bitch should not change her character in any way. Bitches are neutered at an age when they are still young, they will continue to grow and develop physically and mentally as they would if they were not neutered.

Are there any risks involved?
Spay is the common term for ovario-hysterectomy, an operation to remove both ovaries and the uterus. This is performed under general anaesthetic. Any anaesthetic and major surgery carries a slight risk to the patient and these risks may be increased if your bitch is old, ill or has any underlying conditions that we may not know about.

Risks can and are minimised by the use of up to date anaesthetic drugs which minimise side effects to the patient and a full health check by the vet prior to anaesthesia. Pre-anaesthetic blood testing (optional), veterinary nurse assistance throughout the procedure and aftercare and cardiac and respiratory monitors from induction to recovery all help minimise the risks.

What happens on the day?
Your bitch will be admitted to the surgery early in the morning for the day. The vet will check her over for any signs of season or phantom pregnancy. If these are present the operation will be postponed. A health check will be performed and blood sample taken if requested. Once the blood results are checked, a pre medication drug will be given to relax her and prepare her for the anaesthetic. The operation will normally be performed between 10am and 2pm, although any emergency procedures that arrive that day may take priority. She will be observed throughout her recovery and kept in for the afternoon to rest. You will be asked to phone and given details of when to collect her.

You will be given post operative care details, and it is imperative that you follow them closely.

You will be invited to bring her back for a routine post op check up within the next few days, and again after 10 days to remove her sutures.

 

NEUTERING OF THE DOG

Dog Castration - Common questions and answers

At what age should I have my dog neutered?
Any time after 9 months, some owners prefer to wait until their dog is a little older opting for 9-10 months of age.

Why should I have my dog neutered?

• To prevent disease in later life, castration can prevent prostatic disease and testicular tumours.
• Entire male dogs have a natural urge to mate, and this means finding a female partner, so dogs will often repeatedly try to escape when looking for a mate. If successful they may roam the streets and risk becoming lost or injured.
• Entire male dogs will also naturally protect their territory, this is sometimes only the house but can possibly become everywhere the dog visits frequently. Aggression may only be directed at other dogs but will sometimes include people.
• Because domestic dogs are not given the opportunity to mate they often become what we describe as 'over sexed'. If this happens they usually try to mount any object they can, often people’s legs! This can become a nuisance and most owners find it quite embarrassing.
• Destructive dogs and very noisy dogs may also benefit from neutering

Are there any side effects?
Fluffy coat quality occurs in some breeds.

Some dogs will crouch to urinate rather than cock a leg.

I have heard that neutered dogs become fat.
Any dog fed more than it need for its lifestyle will put on weight regardless of whether it has been neutered or not. Although it seems neutered dogs have a tendency to put on weight more easily, sensible feeding and regular exercise will prevent this.

Some people say that neutering my dog will change his character.
Neutering should take away some of the undesirable traits as described above and it can sometimes calm lively dogs down a little. It will not make his character worse.

Are there any risks involved?
Neutering or castration is an operation to remove both testicles. This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, any anaesthetic carries a slight risk to the patient, these risks may be increased if your dog is old or ill or has any underlying conditions that we may not know about. Risks can and are minimised by the use of up to date anaesthetic drugs that minimise side effects to the patient and a full health check by the vet prior to anaesthesia. Pre anaesthetic blood testing (optional), veterinary nurse assistance throughout the procedure to aftercare, and cardiac and respiratory monitors from induction to recovery all help to minimise risks.

What will happen on the day?
Your dog will be admitted to the surgery early in the morning for the day. A health check will be performed by the vet and blood sample taken if requested. Once the blood results are checked a pre medication drug will be given to relax him and prepare him for the anaesthetic. The operation will be performed between 10 am and 2pm normally, although any emergency procedures that arrive that day will take priority. He will be observed throughout recovery and kept in to rest, you will be asked to telephone to be given details of when to collect him.

If you want any further information or would like to book an appointment for your pet, please call the surgery and we can arrange this for you.