Should you neuter your pet?

[Bitches ][ Dogs][ Queens][ Tom Cats][ Rabbits][ Ferrets]

[Guinea Pigs] [Rats]

Bitches

Bitches first come on heat at approximately 6 months of age but it can be later. Signs are vulval swelling with bleeding and male dog attraction. A typical season lasts 3 weeks. Bitches can be spayed anytime from 6 months as long as they are not in season, although it is best to wait for 2-3 months following the end of a season. There are, of course, pros and cons as to whether to spay your bitch.

The benefits are

	avoidance of unwanted pregnancies
	greatly reducing the incidence of mammary tumours (if spayed before about 2 years of age)
	eliminating the possibility of developing a pyometra, (infected uterus) which is a life-threatening condition which often develops late in life and requires emergency surgery
	prevention of false pregnancy - some bitches develop this condition following each season. They can produce milk, go off their food and become aggressive.
	reduction in the number of unwanted puppies in need of homes. We need to reduce the homeless dog population.
	avoiding unwanted attention from male dogs - when your bitch is in season it can become difficult to take her to public places where there are male dogs. She will require close supervision for the full 3 weeks.

other aspects to consider

	Some bitches develop hormonal incontinence, however this usually responds well to treatment
	Weight gain is common, this can be avoided by reducing calorie intake as soon as your pet has fully recovered from the operation.

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Other Methods of Heat Control

1. Hormones Successful heat control can be achieved with the use of tablets or regular injections. While this method is useful as a short-term solution, the drugs used are not without potential side-effects.

2. ‘Morning-after’ drugs If your bitch has an unwanted mating then a course of hormone injections can be given to prevent pregnancy proceeding. Again, there is the possibility of side-effects with this method, some potentially serious, so this is only used as a last resort.

In summary we feel the benefits of speying your bitch far outweigh the drawbacks and recommend the procedure for all bitches not intended for breeding.

Dogs

Although there is no specific indication to castrate a male dog it may become advisable if certain problems appear

	Aggressiveness towards other dogs or people
	Roaming after bitches on heat - dogs are more likely to be involved in an accident
	Mounting and excessive sexual behaviour
	Undescended testicles (these may turn cancerous eventually)
	Prostatic disease and certain tumours will resolve following castration
	Dogs from rescue centres are usually required to be castrated

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Queens

Queens (female cats) will first come into season at around 5-6 months of age. They exhibit bizarre behaviour (rolling around on the floor, very affectionate and vocal). You may notice tom cats lingering around your back door! It is advisable to get your queen spayed from 6 months of age to avoid unwanted litters of kittens. If your queen has just had kittens she can be spayed when the kittens are approximately 8 weeks old providing she is no longer feeding them.

Tom Cats

It is advisable to castrate male cats for several reasons. Firstly they will be less likely to fight. Cats that fight are at a greater risk of being infected with the Feline Leukaemia or Feline Aids Virus through cat bites. Cat bites in themselves are often very painful and usually become infected. Entire tom cats usually have very strong smelling urine and can be more prone to territorial urine spraying indoors. Male cats can be castrated from 6 months of age.

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Rabbits

Both male and female rabbits can be neutered from 6 months of age. Some reasons for neutering are

Aggression (in both male and females)

Prevention of unwanted litters

Prevention of uterine cancers in females (it is now thought that this is a major cause of death in older female rabbits)

Guinea Pigs

Male guinea pigs can be neutered from 6 months of age, this is done usually to prevent breeding.

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Ferrets

Male and female ferrets can be neutered from 6 months of age to prevent unwanted litters. Spaying a female ferret has some very important health advantages as well. If a female ferret is not mated when she is in season then the continuous elevated hormone levels can lead to a fatal anaemia. An alternative to spaying is the use of a vasectomised male or more commonly an anti-season injection can be given.

Rats

Male rats can be castrated from 6 months of age, we do not usually spay female rats.

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