Neutering & Surgery

Neutering (Male & Female Pets)

Deciding whether to have your pet neutered is an important choice, and our team is always happy to discuss the options with you.

We generally recommend neutering because it can provide important health benefits for your pet and helps prevent unwanted litters. Neutering can reduce the risk of certain cancers and infections affecting the reproductive system.

Dogs are usually neutered from around 6 months of age, while cats are often neutered slightly earlier.

What Is Neutering?

Neutering is a routine surgical procedure that removes the reproductive organs so that pets cannot breed.

Spaying (Female Pets)

Neutering a female dog or cat is called spaying. The procedure involves removing the ovaries and uterus, preventing pregnancy and reducing the risk of several reproductive health problems later in life.

There are two main surgical approaches:

Traditional (Open) Spay
This is the standard method used in many practices. A small incision is made along the midline of the abdomen to allow the surgeon to remove the ovaries and uterus. While this is a safe and commonly performed procedure, it involves opening the abdomen, which can lead to more post-operative discomfort and typically requires a longer recovery period.

Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Spay
Laparoscopic spaying is a minimally invasive technique performed using specialised equipment and very small incisions. A camera is used to guide the surgery, allowing the ovaries to be removed with much less disruption to surrounding tissues.

Because the incisions are smaller and the procedure is less invasive, pets undergoing laparoscopic spaying often experience:

• Less post-operative pain

• Smaller wounds

• Faster recovery times

• A quicker return to normal activity

Our team can advise on which option may be most suitable for your pet.

Castration (Male Pets)

Neutering a male dog or cat is called castration. During this procedure, the testicles are surgically removed.

• In dogs, a small incision is made just in front of the testicles.

• In cats, small incisions are made in the scrotum.

This procedure prevents breeding and can also reduce the risk of certain health and behavioural issues.

Undescended Testicles (Cryptorchidism)

Occasionally, one or both testicles do not move down into the scrotum as they should. This condition is called cryptorchidism.

In these cases, surgery is recommended to remove the testicle(s), as undescended testicles have a higher risk of developing cancer later in life.