Dogs

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.

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.

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.

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 Sheriff's Highway Veterinary Hospital, we are in favour of all male and female dogs, unless intended for breeding, being surgically neutered.

Cats

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.

Surgical Neutering o female cats 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.

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.

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 Sheriff's Highway Veterinary Hospital we are in favour of all male and female cats, unless intended for breeding, being surgically neutered.