Factsheets

Neutering

This factsheet is designed to give an owner some advice about neutering their pet so they are able to make an informed decision and understand the procedure better.

DOG NEUTERING - THE PRO'S AND CON'S

In these days of a growing "Anti-Dog" lobby city-dwelling dog owners should consider surgical neutering as part of responsible dog ownership.

Dogs, by their very nature, are pack animals with strong instincts to form a hierarchy or "pecking-order". Within each group, one dog will aspire to become top dog. Usually this is an adult male; he is followed in the hierarchy by other males, these by adult females, with puppies at the bottom.

Conflict within a hierarchy develops when there is competition for places, when a new dog arrives in the area, when puppies reach adulthood or where there are bitches "in season".

Generally it is at these times of conflict that certain undesirable aspects of canine behaviour become apparent.

For behavioural and medical reasons, surgical neutering can be the answer.

MALE DOGS

PRO's :

• Neutering reduces the tendency for male dogs to roam after bitches in season. The bitch's scent is powerful and can attract many male dogs in a city.
• Neutering reduces the tendency for male dogs to show aggression towards other dogs and humans. It is for this reason that neutering is one of the requirements for breeds covered by the "Dangerous Dogs Act".
• Neutering reduces the tendency for male dogs to display overtly sexual behaviour :- mounting of other dogs/ cushions/ humans or excessive urine marking of territory (outdoors or indoors).
• Middle-aged and old male dogs are prone to such medical conditions as :- Prostate enlargement or cancer Testicular cancers Anal adenomas (anal cancer)

ALL ARE PREVENTED BY SURGICAL NEUTERING.

Surgical neutering of male dogs involves removal of both testicles (castration). Patients are allowed home the same day, and have sutures removed after 7 days.

BITCHES (Female dogs)

PRO's :

• Neutering not only stops bitches from having puppies but stops them coming into season. Bitches have, on average, two seasons each year until old age. Each season lasts between two and three weeks.
• A bitch in season can cause considerable inconvenience :-
• Attractiveness to male dogs means that she must be exercised away from public areas.
• Many bitches spot blood for 10 - 14 days during each season.
• Boarding kennels are less welcoming !
• Neutering prevents the condition known as false pregnancy. This develops about eight to twelve weeks after a season even though no mating has taken place. A bitch may build a nest, mother soft toys, and even produce milk from enlarged mammary glands. It is a hormonal upset that may take several weeks to resolve and is likely to recur after subsequent seasons.
• Neutering prevents a life-threatening condition of the womb called pyometra. This can occur from middle-age and is most common in bitches that have not had puppies. The cure is an emergency hysterectomy (with considerable anaesthetic risks).
• Neutering considerably reduces the tendency to develop mammary tumours (Breast Cancer) .Neutering prior to the bitch's first season reduces this likelihood by 250 times.

Neutering or speying of bitches involves a full ovariohysterectomy, where the whole reproductive tract is removed. Patients are usually allowed home the same day and have their sutures removed / checked after seven days.

DOGS and BITCHES

CONS:

Neutering may increase the tendency for male and female dogs to gain weight. However, in our opinion, this will only occur if the dog is either overfed or under exercised or, more usually, both.

At Braid Veterinary Hospital, we are in favour of all male and female dogs, unless intended for breeding, being surgically neutered.

CAT NEUTERING - THE PRO'S AND CON'S

The number of cats owned as pets in the United Kingdom now exceeds the number of pet dogs and will continue to rise in years to come. Cat owners should consider surgical neutering as part of responsible pet ownership.

Cats become sexually active from five to six months of age. The reproductive cycle of the female is approximately three weeks long during which time she will come into season or come on call for two to four days. It is during this time that she will be attractive to male cats, will look to mate, and will very likely become pregnant. Cats are more sexually active in the spring and the autumn, but the three week cycle continues right through the year.

For behavioural and medical reasons, surgical neutering is recommended.

FEMALE CATS

• Neutering not only stops cats from having kittens but also stops them coming into season. Female cats (queens) can come into season every three weeks in Spring and Autumn, each season lasting two to four days.
• A female in season / on call / on heat may show such behavioural changes as loss of appetite, crying or yowling, rolling, and general restlessness. A female in season looks to get outdoors to seek a mate, may spray urine on doorposts / furniture, and will attract tom cats from a wide area to come and visit.
• Neutering considerably reduces the tendency to develop mammary tumours (breast cancer).
• Neutering prevents a potentially life-threatening condition of the womb called pyometra. This usually occurs in older cats that have not had kittens. The cure is an emergency ovarohysterectomy operation with considerable anaesthetic risks.

Surgical Neutering involves a full ovariohysterectomy, where the whole reproductive tract is removed under general anaesthesia. This is usually performed through a small incision in the flank. Patients are usually allowed home the same day and have their stitches removed after about seven days. It is not recommended to neuter a cat during a season.

MALE CATS

• Neutering stops male cats from fathering kittens
• Neutering reduces the tendency for male cats to roam, seeking out a female in season.
• Neutering reduces the tendency for male cats to fight with other males competing for the position of Top Cat in a territory or over females in season. This reduces the risk of bite abscesses and of spread of infections such as Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV -Feline AIDS).
• Neutering reduces the tendency for Male cats to spray urine. This is a territory marking exercise, the smell is foul, and very difficult to remove. Males will tend to spray at times of stress or conflict - such as the arrival of a new cat in the territory, a female in season, or even arrival or departure of people in the house!

Surgical neutering of male cats involves removal of both testicles (Castration) under general anaesthesia. Patients are returned home the same day and are reviewed only as necessary.

MALE and FEMALE CATS

Neutering may increase the tendency for male and female cats to gain weight. However, in our opinion, this will only occur if the cat is overfed, under exercised, or more usually, both.

At BRAID VETERINARY HOSPITAL we are in favour of all male and female cats, unless intended for breeding, being surgically neutered.

RABBIT NEUTERING - THE PRO'S AND CON'S

MALE RABBITS (BUCKS)

Surgical neutering or castration in male rabbits can be performed from 4-5 months of age and is an important preventative procedure for several reasons:-

• If rabbits of both sexes are kept together it will prevent unwanted pregnancies.
• Sexually active bucks will mark their territory with strong smelling urine.
• Sexually active bucks often become aggressively possessive about their environment and their owners leading to injuries in rabbit and owner alike!
• If more than one male rabbit is housed together then fighting often occurs upon attainment of sexual maturity at 3-4 months of age.

ALL OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS ARE PREVENTED BY SURGICAL NEUTERING (CASTRATION)

The procedure involves a full anaesthetic and surgical removal of both testicles. Bucks are kept in overnight after the operation for routine monitoring and pain relief.

FEMALE RABBITS (DOES)

Ovariohysterectomy or speying in female rabbits can be performed from 4-5 months of age and is an important preventative procedure for several reasons:-

• If rabbits of both sexes are kept together it will prevent unwanted pregnancies
• There is a high risk of a malignant cancer of the womb called an adenocarcinoma in unmated does over the age of 4 years. Speying will obviously prevent this.
• Some does have 'phantom' pregnancies where even though they have not been mated their sexual hormones are telling their bodies to prepare for 'kittens' or baby rabbits. This causes behavioural problems, fur pulling for nest building and milk production which can cause mastitis or infected mammary glands.
• If enough phantom pregnancies occur some does can go on to develop a serious womb infection called a pyometra where the womb fills with poison creating a potentially life threatening situation.

ALL OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS ARE PREVENTED BY SURGICAL NEUTERING (SPEYING)

The procedure involves a full anaesthetic and surgical removal of the ovaries and the womb. Does are kept in overnight after the operation for routine monitoring and pain relief.

Should you wish to discuss the subject further, or arrange for your pet to be neutered, please contact the surgery at your convenience on (0131) 667 2478.