Pet Advice

Having your pet neutered prevents unwanted pregnancies and a number of diseases including, pyometra (infected womb) and testicular tumours. Having your pet neutered early may also help to reduce the occurrence of mammary cancer and prostate problems.

We routinely recommend cats and male dogs are neutered from 6months of age. Cats can be neutered earlier, if requested, especially if owners have one of each sex. We recommend female dogs are neutered after they have had their first season. There are instances where we recommend certain breeds of dogs reach 12months of age before being neutered. Female dogs, when neutered, should be booked in midway between seasons. It is advised that rabbits are neutered from 3 months onwards. For advice on neutering other small mammals please contact our nursing staff.

Your pet will be assessed and examined prior to any procedure. In many instances, with your consent, pre-operative bloods will be taken and the results assessed in house before we proceed. In most instances cats and dogs will be separated into our respective cat and dog wards. This allows our cat inpatients to wake up out of sight of the dogs. Animals will be subject to a detailed assessment during the procedure and regular systematic assessments will be conducted during your pet’s recovery. All results from the regular assessments, during and after any procedure, are recorded to ensure the best possible care is given. Pain relief is provided at key times to ensure your pet is free of discomfort during the procedure, its recovery and at home. You may be issued, at discharge, further pain relief to give under instruction at home.

Female dogs have both their ovary and uterus removed via a midline abdominal incision. Female cats have similar surgery but routinely this is conducted via an approach through the left flank. Male dogs have a smaller operating site immediately in front of their scrotum whilst male cats have two small incision sites on the scrotum. In most instances non-dissolvable sutures are placed, (none in the male cat), which we recommend having removed after 10days. The incision site, including the shaved area surrounding can be irritable for a period after surgery. Your pet left, unchecked, will often lick at the stitches and surrounding area which may cause problems. We routinely offer, at discharge, an Elizabethan Collar for your pet to wear around their neck to significantly reduce their ability to get to the incision site.

It is advised that kittens are vaccinated from 8 weeks onwards, with the second injection given 3 weeks later. In addition to a vaccine for flu and enteritis there is also a recommended vaccine for feline leukaemia especially if you kitten is to go outside.

Puppies of any age can be vaccinated, it is advised, however, that puppies are given their first vaccine at 6-8weeks with a second at 10wks of age.

A booster vaccination and health check is recommended every 12months – following the initial course.