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Castle Veterinary Group
Neutering
We recommend neutering pets that are not going to be used for breeding. Neutering can help to prevent the huge number of unwanted pets, prevent certain illnesses and some unwanted behaviours.
For male dogs, we advise castration (removal of the testicles) from 6 months of age onwards. Advantages include elimination of undesirable sexual activities, prevention of testicular cancer and prostate problems, as well as a reduced chance of getting a type of cancer called an anal adenoma.
For female dogs, we recommend neutering at 6 months, before the first season, but they can be spayed a any life stage. Neutering is best avoided during a season due to the increased blood supply to the uterus at that time. Spaying involves removal of both the uterus and the ovaries. Advantages include elimination of heat/seasons, no false pregnancies, prevention of pyometra (a life threatening infection of the uterus) and a reduced risk of mammary tumours.
Disadvantages in both male and female dogs can include coat changes and weight gain. However, with correct dietary management the latter can usually be prevented.
Cats can be neutered from 4 to 6 months of age. It is possible for female cats to become pregnant before they are 6 months old, so it is advisable to keep them indoors until after they are spayed. Neutering cats also helps to reduce the risk of contracting Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and with male cats in particular, castration will help to reduce fighting with other cats and the tendency to roam.
What should I do next?
If you would like more advice about getting you pet neutered, or if you have decided that you would like to arrange for your pet to be neutered then please call and speak to one of our receptionists or nurses. They will be able to offer further advice book an appointment for your pet to come in.
What happens on the day?
It is important that your pet is starved from 7pm the evening before their operation. Your pet can have access to their water bowl overnight, but remove it on the morning of the operation. We usually ask that you bring your pet for an appointment in the morning and during this time the vet or nurse will check your pet over and can discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Your pet will have a general anesthetic for the operation. Check out our "Anaesthesia" information sheet here.
Your pet will usually be ready to go home from late afternoon/early evening. The vet will call you to let you know how your pet is following surgery and arrange a time for you to collect your pet. When you collect your pet, the nurse will discuss post operative care.
We will usually request that your pet returns for a check up a few days after the operation. This check up is included in the surgery price, but please do not hesitate to call in the mean time if you have any concerns. If your pet has skin stitches, they will need to be removed 10-14 days after the operation. Your pet will need to be rested for a period following surgery, the nurse will discuss this with you when you collect your pet, but please do not hesitate to ask if you would like more advice about this in advance!
Neutering for rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets
Male rabbits may be castrated from 12 weeks provided their testicles have descended and female rabbits may be spayed from 16 weeks onwards provided they are in good health and weigh at least 1kg.
If male ferrets are living with un-neutered females they should be vasectomised. Male ferrets living alone can be castrated. Female ferrets should live with a vasectomised male, otherwise they should be spayed to avoid life-threatening anaemia.
Guinea pigs can be neutered at 6 months, but please be aware that female guinea pigs can become pregnant before this age.
Two Jack Russell sisters coming around after being spayed - both wearing lovely little vesties which is an alternate option to a buster-collar.
