Neutering your dog

Yorkshire Vets recommend neutering both male and female dogs at 5 ½ - 6 months old unless
they are required for breeding. This is before female dogs have their first season.

What do I do?

You just need to call for an appointment. Both dogs and bitches need to be starved from 8pm the night before their operation. They come into the surgery first thing in the morning and are checked by one of our vets who will discuss the procedure and answer any questions you may have. They can generally go home at around 4pm and are able to have a light meal that evening. Exercise must be restricted to on a lead only for 1 week and then your pet should be back to his or her usual self. If at any time you have any worries then please contact us and our staff will be happy to help.

Tell me about bitches.

When a bitch is neutered (spayed) she has her uterus and her ovaries removed (an ovario-hysterectomy). This means that she cannot become pregnant and will not come into season. This is an irreversible operation.

Advantages

1. Prevents unwanted litters
2. Prevents seasons. Bitches come into season twice a year for about 3 weeks. During this time they are very attractive to male dogs who will climb fences to get to them. Bitches can also be very determined to escape and find a mate. By spaying your bitch before her first season you also avoid the mess she may make in your house.
3. Prevents life-threatening uterine infections. This can happen in unspayed bitches as they get older. Treatment involves an ovario-hysterectomy in a situation where the dog is very poorly and often very old.
4. Decreases the risk of mammary cancer. If bitches are spayed before their first season they are no more likely to develop this common cancer than a male dog. This benefit is lost once the bitch has had 3 seasons.
5. Prevention of false pregnancy. This occurs due to the hormones produced after a season. Bitches become broody and can have pronounced behavioural changes. This can be distressing to both owners and pets.

Tell me about dogs.

When a male dog is neutered (castrated) he has his testicles removed. This means that he cannot father puppies and his behaviour will not be under the influence of testosterone. This is an irreversible operation. It is important to note that a dog may not be infertile until 2 weeks after his castration.

Advantages

1. Prevents unwanted litters.
2. Decreases roaming.
3. Decreases aggression.
4. Decreases mating with cushions, peoples’ legs etc.
5. Prevents testicular cancer.
6. Prevents prostate disease.

Neutering your Cat

Yorkshire Vets recommend neutering both male (toms) and female cats (queens) at 5 ½ - 6
months unless they are required for breeding. This is before queens have their first season.

What do I do?

You just need to call for an appointment. Both male and female cats need to be starved from 8pm the night before their operation. They come into the surgery first thing in the morning and are checked by one of our vets who will discuss the procedure and answer any questions you may have. They can generally go home at around 4pm and are able to have a light meal that evening. Cats need to be kept indoors for a few days after their operation. If at any time you have any worries then please contact us and our staff will be happy to help.

Tell me about Queens

When a queen is neutered (spayed) she has her uterus and her ovaries removed (an ovario-hysterectomy). This means that she cannot become pregnant and will not come into season. This is an irreversible operation.

Advantages

1. Prevents unwanted litters. Female cats can have 3 litters a year.
2. Prevents seasons. Queens come into season at around 6 months old and do not really come out until they have been mated and become pregnant.
3. Prevents life-threatening uterine infections.
4. Decreases the risk of mammary cancer.
5. Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. The primary sources of FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukaemia virus) are entire male cats.

Tell me about Tom cats

When a tom cat is neutered (castrated) he has his testicles removed. This means that he cannot father kittens and his behaviour will not be under the influence of testosterone. This is an irreversible operation. It is important to note that a tom may not be infertile until 2 weeks after his castration.

Advantages

1. Prevents unwanted litters.
2. Decreases roaming.
3. Decreases aggression towards other cats. FeLV and FIV can be spread by fighting.