Spay & Neuter Procedures
Spaying (females) and neutering (males) your cat or dog prevents the birth of unwanted litters, protects your pet against various illnesses, and can help to prevent unwanted behaviours.
Spaying and neutering are safe, surgical procedures performed under general anesthesia at our Rothesay animal clinic.
Unless you plan on breeding your pet later in life, our veterinary team recommends spaying or neutering your pet to protect their health and curb behaviours. By doing so, you give your companion a better chance at a healthy life.
Neutering for Male Pets
Neutering, or orchiectomy, is a surgical procedure where the testicles are removed from male pets. The term 'neutering' can also, in some cases, refer to the 'fixing' of either gender.
Cat Neutering
Male cat neutering can help to curb many undesirable cat behaviours such as spraying around your house to mark territory, roaming, howling, and fighting with other male cats.
By reducing your cat's temptation and desire to fight with others, their risk of injury, as well as their risk of contracting Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) may also be reduced.
Dog Neutering
Male dog neutering helps to prevent your pet from developing testicular cancer and can also help reduce unwanted behaviours such as dog aggression, straying, and humping.
Spaying for Female Pets
Spaying, ovariohysterectomy, is a surgical procedure for female animals. Technically known as an ovariohysterectomy, spaying removes a female's reproductive organs.
Cat Spaying
Female cat spaying before the first heat cycle can help to reduce your cat's risk of developing pyometra (infection of the womb) and mammary tumours.
Female cats carrying infectious diseases can pass serious conditions on to their kittens, who may then spread the disease further. The pregnancy and birth process can be risky for young cats, and costly to their owners.
Dog Spaying
Female dog spaying can help to prevent serious health problems such as pyometra (a potentially life-threatening uterine infection) and mammary cancer.
Benefits for Dogs
- Reduces the risk of prostate and other cancers.
- Reduces marking and spraying issues.
- Stabilizes the mood of the dog.
- Reduces the mating urge.
- Reduces sexualized behaviours.
Benefits for Cats
- Curbs naughty behaviours (like spraying to mark territory).
- Neutered cats are less likely to stray from home.
- Your cat may become more affectionate.
- It reduces the risk of your cat contracting certain diseases.
- It decreases the risk of uterine infection in female cats.
- It may decrease the risk of mammary (breast) cancer.
Recovery
If there are no complications or other health issues, your cat or dog can usually go home on the same day of the procedure, with activity restricted for a few days while the incision heals.
For both procedures, we may send your pet home with a protective collar to keep it from licking the incision.
Spaying & Neutering FAQs
- When should I have my pet spayed? What age?
Pet owners should consult with their veterinarian to determine the best age to spay or neuter their cat or dog. Some research indicates there may be long-term health benefits to spaying or neutering dogs after they have passed through puberty.
Many veterinary professionals recommend that female animals be spayed before their first heat, which can occur as early as 5 months of age. However, there is increasing evidence that this is too young as the animals have not been allowed to fully develop and grow.
- Will my pet feel anything during the procedure?
No, your pet will be under general anesthesia, and will not feel anything during the procedure.
- Will my pet gain weight after the procedure?
After a pet undergoes spaying or neutering, its metabolism tends to slow down. Therefore, it is advisable to switch them to an adult diet to prevent any potential weight gain.
This transition will help maintain their overall health and wellbeing.