Dog Neutering in Middlesbrough

What dog neutering involves

Neutering is a routine operation carried out under general anaesthetic. In male dogs it is called castration, and involves removing both testicles. In female dogs it is called spaying, and involves removing the ovaries and uterus. We carry out both procedures here at the practice.

As well as preventing unwanted litters, neutering has health benefits. Spaying stops seasons and reduces the risk of some cancers, such as mammary tumours, and of a serious womb infection called pyometra. Castration removes the risk of testicular cancer and can help with some hormone-driven behaviours, such as urine marking, although it is never a guarantee of calmer behaviour.

When to neuter your dog

Advice on the best age to neuter is now breed-specific. Larger breeds may benefit from waiting until they are more fully grown, while for other dogs earlier neutering may be appropriate. Your vet will look at your dog's breed, size, health and lifestyle and recommend the right time, so book a vet consultation if you would like to talk it through before deciding.

Bitches are usually not spayed while they are in season or soon afterwards, so your vet will advise on timing around her cycle.

On the day of surgery

We will give you instructions when you book, including when to stop food the night before. You will bring your dog in on the morning of the operation, and a member of the team will check them over, go through the consent form with you and answer any questions. Your vet may discuss a pre-anaesthetic blood test, particularly for older dogs.

Your dog will have a general anaesthetic, pain relief and monitoring throughout the procedure, and we will phone you once they are awake to arrange a time to collect them. When you collect your dog we will go through their aftercare and any medication.

Aftercare at home

Keep your dog quiet and on the lead for toilet trips while the wound heals, and stop them licking or chewing at the stitches. A buster collar or a medical body suit can help. Offer a small, light meal on the first evening, and give any pain relief exactly as directed.

We will book post-operative checks so your vet can see the wound is healing well. Call us if the wound looks red, swollen or is weeping, if your dog is very lethargic, or if they are not eating. You can read more about anaesthesia and recovery on our pet surgery page.

Questions to ask before you decide

Neutering is a big decision, and it is worth taking time over it. Useful questions to ask your vet include: what age is best for my dog's breed and size; are there any health risks that make waiting, or neutering sooner, the better choice; what is included in the fee, and is a pre-anaesthetic blood test recommended; and what will recovery look like for my dog at home. If your bitch has had a recent season, or a false pregnancy, mention it, as it can affect timing. If you have not yet decided, a consultation to talk it through is never wasted, and we will give you honest advice rather than a one-size-fits-all answer.