Benefits of spaying/castrating your dog/bitch
- Prevents unwanted pregnancies
- Also prevents sexually driven behaviours (particularly males)
- Prevents pyometra – a potentially fatal condition involving infection of the uterus, the risk of which increases with each season
- Reduction of the risk of some cancers – including testicular and mammary cancers
When are dogs/bitches ready to be neutered?
The appropriate age for neutering is variable depending on the breed and size of your dog/bitch. If you would like to discuss the risks and benefits of neutering at certain ages, please chat to one of the vets.
Generally we do not spay/castrate your pet until they are at least 6 months and we advise that your bitch has had their first season before getting her spayed, and dogs are skeletally mature.
How does it work?
Once you have made the decision to have your dog/bitch neutered, they will be booked in to see a nurse for a pre-operative examination. This check up is to ensure they are fit and well enough to undergo a procedure, and to discuss any further questions you may have.
At Fairfield house we perform traditional bitch spays which is performed by making one incision in the abdomen and involves the removal of both of the ovaries as well as the uterus (ovariohysterectomy).
Castrations are performed by making one incision in front of the scrotum.
On the day
- Animals are admitted by a nurse between 8.15am-9.30am. Once admitted, they are health checked again, weighed and made comfortable in their beds for the day.
- Neutering procedures are carried out by the vet who is in theatre that morning
- On recovery your pet is monitored continuously and once they are awake and happy we offer them some food.
- Usually your pet is ready to go home between 3pm-5pm but this can vary on the day.
Post operative care
- After the procedure your pet may be a little bit sleepy for 24-48 hours, this is quite a common affect of the anaesthetic drugs.
- You will be sent home with anti-inflammatory and pain relief to give your bitch/dog for a few days after their procedure, your pet also may have a buster collar (cone) or medical pet shirt.
- Your pet will have two post operative checks which will be carried out by a vet or a nurse at days 3-5 and 10-14. If there are stitches on the skin these will be removed at the second post-op check.
As always, if you have any questions about Neutering Information for Dog Owners, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01825 764268 to talk to a member of staff.
