Unwanted puppies, kittens, seasons and other problems in dogs, cats and rabbits can be prevented by neutering at the correct time.

Dogs

At some point, you will need to decide whether or not to have your dog neutered.

Females: The operation of ovariohysterectomy or 'spaying' can be performed either before the first season at 5-6 months old or at any time later on midway between seasons. If you do not want to breed from your bitch, spaying has several advantages. Spaying prevents hormonally related problems such as false pregnancy and pyometra (womb infection) and the bitch does not need to be kept confined for 6 weeks of the year as she does when on heat. We recommend spaying before the first season in most cases as this also prevents mammary tumours (breast cancer). If you do not want your bitch to be spayed or feel you may want to breed from her later on, it is possible to prevent the seasons and any risk of pregnancy with hormone injections. Please remember that breeding from your bitch will take a lot of time and effort on your part, and there is no evidence of any benefit to the bitch.

Males: Neutering or castration is best performed when the dog is 8 months or older. We would recommend neutering a male dog if you are having certain behavioural problems such as running off, aggression to other dogs, urinating in the house or inappropriate sexual behaviour such as mounting legs or cushions. Hormone injections can be used which have a similar but temporary effect to castration.

 

Damson House Veterinary Clinic

Neutering Dogs

 

Damson House Veterinary Clinic

82 Damson Lane,

Solihull,

West Midlands.

B92 9JP

Tel.  0121 711 3775