Neutering your doggo – Bitch Spay
Most female dogs in the UK are likely to get neutered at some point in their lifetime! But when it comes to figuring out if it’s the right decision and when is the best time to schedule the surgery, the Kibbles Team are ready to help you—just give us a shout!
The reasons why we spay our female dogs
Managing a bitch’s heat cycle is a tricky one for owners. They must handle the challenges of cleanliness and limited exercise options due to male dogs’ attraction and the possibility of getting pregnant. Spaying a bitch not only prevents unwanted pregnancies, but also reduces her appeal to males, making it easier to go for walks and to hang around with other doggos! Moreover, spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian cancer and cysts by removing the ovaries. It also lowers the chances of mammary cancer, which is really common in un-spayed bitches. It is thought that the most significant cancer prevention is by spaying before her first season. However, there is ongoing evidence suggesting that different dog breeds have an optimal time frame for being spayed. At Kibbles, we are always looking into evidence-based learning and are keen to evolve our treatment recommendations.
When to spay your dog
Performing surgery on your pup while she’s in her heat cycle is more risky due to all that extra blood flow to her uterus! Plus, if your dog is showing signs of a false pregnancy, spaying is a no-go. So, the golden rule? Wait about three months after her season finished for the safest time to spay!
The operation!
Remember, spaying is a routine operation but is also a major surgery! On the big day, your pet will be admitted bright and early. Our fabulous Kibbles team is here to answer any questions that pop up before and after the procedure. Your pup will get a good pain relief injection and a mild sedative to keep things calm while they wait for their surgery.
When you dog is anaesthetised, a patch of fur will be shaved from your dog’s belly and cleaned up ready for surgery! After we remove the ovaries and uterus, we’ll stitch everything up with dissolving stitches that will take care of themselves over the next few weeks. Most patients can head home the same day, but they’ll need to take it easy to heal properly. Think short on the lead walks for the next 10-14 days!
A buster collar or a Kibbles pet shirt might be needed to keep them from licking the surgical site- we don’t want an infection! Regular check-ins with your Kibbles vet or RVN are important to make sure everything is healing just right. Keep an eye on that wound; check it twice a day for any signs of trouble (inflammation or discharge). If your dog seems off or unwell, give us a shout right away!
Neutering Your Dog – Canine Castration
Castration is a common procedure performed on male dogs. Kibbles is here to assist you in determining whether this procedure is the right choice for both you and your pal.
Reasons for Castrating Dogs
Castration involves the removal of the testicles from the scrotum. Following the procedure, testosterone levels drop significantly, which can lead to the improvement of certain unwanted behaviours. Additionally, the dog has officially hung up his “stud” hat—no more sperm production means no little pups on the way! However, caution is advised as dogs can remain fertile for up to six weeks post-op. The benefits of castration include behavioural management, as entire male dogs may show behaviours, such as urine marking, roaming in search of mates, aggression, and humping. It also prevents testicular cancer (which is common in older males), diseases of the prostate gland, anal cancers, and certain hernias.
Best time for Castration
While you can book your boy in as early as six months, sometimes it’s better to wait until your furry friend grows up a bit! At Kibbles, we tailor our timing to your pup’s breed because, let’s face it, every dog is different. And remember, if those testicles haven’t made an appearance by six months, it’s important for your dog to have his surgery sooner rather than later, undescended testicles are more prone to cancer!
Details of the Operation
Before the big day, your dog has a pre-op check with the our Kibbles team! On surgery day, make sure you arrive early, you dog will be given an injection of pain relief and a mild sedative to relax them before their surgery! Once under general anaesthesia, a small incision is made in front of the scrotum to remove both testicles. Most dogs can return home the same afternoon, but it’s important they can rest to aid in healing. Limiting your dog to a few short, on the lead walks per day is best for 10-14 days post surgery.
Neutering Your Cat: The Purr-fect Choice!
Neutering is a procedure to stop female cats from getting pregnant and to prevent male cats from playing dad to a litter of kittens. The Kibbles team is here to advise you on everything you need to know to make the best decision for your furry buddy!
When’s the Right Time to Neuter My Kitten?
While your kitten can be neutered at any age, we suggest aiming for around four months old. That’s when female cats can start getting pregnant, so time to book that appointment and avoid a surprise litter! And remember, cats aren’t picky—they might just mate with their own relatives!
The Procedure: What to Expect
Your cat will spend the day at Kibbles, undergoing a general anaesthetic. Neutering is a fairly simple procedure for both boys and girls! After the operation, your female cat will have a little shaved patch (on her side) where we made a tiny incision to remove her ovaries and uterus. With dissolvable stitches holding the wound together, she’ll be back to her normal self in no time. As for the boys, we make a tiny incision to remove the testicles—no stitches needed, just a week of healing and they’re good to go! Plus, we’ll invite your brave buddy back for a post-op check-up to ensure they’ve made a full recovery!