Do I need to neuter my pet?

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Many of our pets will benefit from being neutered, which means surgically removing their ovaries or testicles. This is a routine day procedure, which means your pet will be home with you by the end of the day. Our experienced surgeons make the smallest incisions possible, and the stitches are hidden under the skin and dissolve on their own, meaning nothing has to be removed later on. Once your pet's fur grows back, you will hardly notice any scars at all!

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The benefits of neutering dogs:

• reduced risk of several cancers such as mammary (breast), ovarian and testicular cancer.

• reduced risk of certain common prostatic diseases in older male dogs.

• reduction in sexual behaviour, marking and roaming in male dogs. Can also sometimes reduce aggression between dogs.

• eliminate the risk of life-threatening pyometras in females (infection of the uterus)

• prevents unwanted pregnancies and controls the pet population.

• reduced mess, as entire females will bleed twice a year for around 2 weeks. 

• pregnancy can be dangerous and expensive, as some dogs can experience life-threatening complications during birth, especially in flat-faced breeds.

• Entire females can experience phantom pregnancies, which can lead to health and behavioural problems and require medication to resolve.

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The benefits of neutering cats:

• reduction in the risk of mammary cancer and elimination in the risk of pyometras (infected uterus).

• control of nuisance-female cats will come into heat roughly every 3 weeks during the mating season, and will show distressing behavioural changes such as constant calling for mates. This will also attract male cats, which can lead to cat fighting, spraying and calling.

• Entire male cats will spray furniture around the house, with a pungent smell.

• Entire cats are at a higher risk of catching infectious diseases and abscesses, as they are more likely to fight with other cats and strays.

• controls the cat population. The UK has a serious cat population problem, with thousands of cats in need of a home. Entire cats that go outside can get pregnant very easily, having up to 3 litters a year.

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The benefits of neutering rabbits and ferrets:

• reduction in the risk of several cancers, especially uterine cancer in females (a shocking 80% of female rabbits will develop uterine cancer by the age of 3).

• can reduce fighting between rabbits and reduce aggression towards humans

• reduction in spraying by male rabbits.

• prevention in unwanted pregnancies, which can even happen between siblings

• ferrets can benefit from neutering as it will prevent unwanted pregnancies, reduce fighting, reduce strong musk smells of males and prevent prolonged seasons in females, which can lead to life-threatening anaemia. 

• Neutered ferrets are at a higher risk of developing a disease of the adrenal gland later in life, called Cushing's Disease. Hormonal implants are a way of preventing this while still allowing for the benefits of neutering. 

• We can also neuter guinea pigs and rats.