Having your pet neutered can be a worrying and traumatic time for pet owners, so we have decided to go through the procedure to help people understand how everything works!
TRUTH OR FICTION?
The most common myths surrounding neutering your pet tend to include change of character and weight gain. Neutering can be carried out for certain antisocial behaviours and often pets will become gentler but they lose neither their spirit nor their intelligence. It is also a common fallacy that a neutered animal will become fat and lazy. Sensible feeding of a scientifically complete diet without excessive titbits will adequately control any problems of obesity, just as it does in non-neutered pets.
OUR PROCESS
Pets booked in for neutering are admitted into our Hospital first thing in the morning.
- Our vets physically examine your pet prior to surgery (including heart and lung sounds and temperature).
- A pre-anaesthetic blood test is taken which will check your pet’s blood cell count. This will provide our veterinary team with valuable information regarding your pet’s liver and kidney wellbeing and will highlight any possible health concerns that may affect the anaesthetic or safety of the surgery.
- A pre-anaesthetic injection (pre-med) is given to reduce the dose of anaesthetic agent required, relaxing your pet and aiding in pain relief.
- We use an intravenous anaesthetic with a higher safety margin; it is shorter acting allowing your pet to recover much more quickly from the procedure.
- Your pet’s general anaesthesia will be maintained using medical oxygen containing gaseous anaesthetic.
- A catheter is utilised for administering fluids to optimise blood pressure and kidney function and also for administering medications.
- All operations are conducted in our dedicated operating theatre by only a Pet Doctors experienced surgeon.
- Our modern equipment includes the use of Radiosurgery for all incisions. Radiosurgery offers all the benefits of laser surgery without the dangers. There is reduced inflammation, reduction in pain and improved recovery times.
- Wherever possible we place all sutures under or within the skin layers. There is less irritation and inflammation post operatively.
- Your pet will be constantly monitored during their stay by our trained and experienced staff with the help of our comprehensive well-maintained monitoring devices.
- During surgery and recovery your pet will have their body temperature maintained using specially designed heat pads which are also built-in to our recovery cages to ensure they are comfortable.
- Your pet will be given an injection that will provide 24 hours of pain relief and also aids in reducing inflammation and swelling associated with surgery.
- You will also receive additional pain relief for the 3 days following the surgery.
- Your pet will be given a free post operative check to be organised several days after the operation.
- An Elizabethan collar is required to prevent dogs from accessing the sutures and delaying wound healing. We also advise against bathing until after the stitches have been removed, which will be 10-14 days after surgery.
ADVANTAGES OF NEUTERING YOUR PET
- Keeping the over-population of stray dogs and cats down.
- Decreased need to roam.
- Decreased chance of developing aggression to people and other animals.
- Males have a reduced risk of testicular cancer, protate problems, tumours and perineal hernias in later years.
- Females avoid multiple pregnancies, which deteriorates general health. There is also elimination of the threat of infection in the uterus in her later years and she will not come into season.
- Significantly decreased chance of breast cancer.
