Submitted by VillageVets on 16 Dec, 2017
What is neutering?
Neutering is a general term used to describe the surgery performed by the vet, to prevent the animal from being able to breed.
In males, the surgery is known as castration. This involves the removal of the cat or dog’s testicles.
In females, the surgery is known as spaying. This involves the removal of the cat or dog’s ovaries and womb.
What is the importance of neutering?
Neutering your pet has health benefits and is important for population control.
Neutered cats tend to wander less and are less likely to get into fights.This helps limit the spread of nasty infections and life threatening viruses between cats. Neutering significantly reduces the incidence of mammary cancers in female cats. In neutered male cats, there is a significant reduction in the incidence of spraying/marking their territory with very strong smelling urine.
Neutering female dogs helps to prevent womb infections, painful life threatening births and unwanted litters of puppies. It can also reduce the incidence of mammary tumours ( breast cancer), as well as removing the risk of cancer of the ovaries and womb.
Castrating male dogs eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. It reduces the likelihood of the dog straying in search of females and marking it’s territory with urine. It can also reduce the incidence of aggression and dominance in male dogs.
What age should I neuter my pet?
- Male and female cats can be neutered from 4,5 - 5 months of age.
- Male and female small dogs should be neutered at 5 or 6 months (for the female, before the first heat).
- Male and female large breed dogs should be neutered at approximately 9 months of age ( for the female, after the first heat).
- Male and female giant breeds after at least 1 year of age or when skeletally mature ( after the female has had at least 1 heat).
- These are guidelines only. It is best to contact your vet to discuss the ideal timing to neuter your pet.
Want to book your pet in for a surgery? Call us today"
