Neutering - Vets in Darlington

Dog Neutering @ Westway

At Westway Veterinary Group we recommend all dogs are neutered unless intended for breeding purposes. In males, this is called castration, and in females speying. For male dogs, this can prevent illnesses, especially in later life, and includes the prevention of testicular tumours, and diseases of the prostate. It may also reduce problems with aggression & other unwanted behaviours. In females, it prevents unwanted litters, seasons, pyometras (womb infection) and also mammary tumours.

Neutering can be performed from five months of age, and in females, this usually precedes their first season, and so significantly reduces the occurrence of mammary tumours as they age. The procedure can be performed at any stage after this age though, providing the bitch is not in heat. It is preferable to neuter in these cases 12-13 weeks after the heat has ended.

A popular misconception is that neutered animals will become fat! Although neutered dogs have a lower metabolic rate, with the correct feeding and exercise regime this should not present a problem.

As with any procedure that involves an anaesthetic, there is a small risk. If your dog is over eight years old we advise a pre-anaesthetic blood test, this will give us a good indication of how appropriate it is for your dog to undergo an anaesthetic. Please speak to the veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse if you feel this is appropriate for your dog.

We also run the Dogs Trust subsidised neutering scheme that is aimed at responsible dog owners who may be in receipt of means-tested benefits. This scheme substantially lowers the cost of neutering your dog. Please enquire if you think you may be eligible.

We strongly recommend that all animals coming in for neutering are vaccinated.

Cat Neutering @ Westway

At Westway we recommend all cats are neutered unless intended for breeding. Neutering involves a general anaesthetic and the subsequent removal of the sex organs. In the male cat this means the removal of the testicles and is called castration, in the female it means the removal of the ovaries and the womb and is called speying.

Neutering can be performed from the age of four months in both males and females, after pre-neuter check with vet. Castration in the male can prevent certain traits such as aggressive behaviour, unwanted litters (possibly for other people), spraying, contracting diseases such as FiV and FiP which can be fatal, and also a reduction in wandering.

Speyingof the female prevents calling, and wandering behaviour, as well as unwanted litters. One unneutered female cat is able to have 5 litters a year with 4-/+ kittens a litter!! We work closely with the Cats Protection League (CPL) who run a subsidised neutering voucher scheme for people with low incomes and/or receive means-tested benefits. This substantially lowers the cost of a neutering operation. If you feel you may be eligible please contact one of our surgeries to see if we can help.

Please remember that it is a myth that cats should be allowed to have a litter of kittens before they are neutered! This is an old wives tale, and only adds to the cats and kittens already desperately needing new homes.

We recommend that all cats coming in for neutering are vaccinated.