There are many important issues to consider when you first get a puppy or kitten - vaccination, diet, worming, training, pet insurance etc.  These are all factors that should be addressed within the first three to four weeks of acquiring your new pet. 

The other major decision you will have to take is whether or not to get your pet neutered.  This is often ignored or forgotten about by many owners since it is not something that is done routinely until your pet is a little older.  There are a lot of popular misconceptions surrounding the neutering of both cats and dogs and it is important that you, as an owner, are aware of the correct information.

Neutering female dogs (spaying) should be encouraged for all pets not intended for breeding.  The main reasons for this are to prevent the occurrence of the following problems:

Bitches do not need a litter prior to spaying and the operation is unlikely to affect their nature.  It is true that some bitches put on weight after neutering but this is easy to control with dietary manipulation and your veterinary practice will be able to give you advice here if necessary.  Neutering your bitch is major, if routine, surgery and involves removing both ovaries and part of the uterus under general anaesthesia.

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Neutering male dogs (castration) is beneficial in those not required for breeding in order to help prevent the following problems:

	testicular cancer	some forms of which are malignant
	perineal hernias	requires major reconstructive surgery
	prostate problems	e.g. infection, benign enlargement and cysts
	perianal adenomas	tumours around the anus that often require surgery
	behavioural problems	e.g. aggression, roaming, urine marking, mounting behaviour

As with a bitch, castration is unlikely to affect your dog's personality and any increase in weight should be easy to control with the correct advice.  Castration involves removal of both testicles under general anaesthesia and is not as long an operation as spaying a bitch.

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Female cats (queens) should be kept indoors at all times until neutered at around six months of age.  Spaying your queen will prevent risk of pyometra (womb infection), reduce the risk of mammary cancer and stop your cat coming 'into season' which would attract unwanted attention from male cats.  The surgery is done under general anaesthesia and involves removal of both ovaries and the uterus.  Every year veterinary practices and charity organisations are inundated with kittens from unwanted litters - the only way to prevent this is to spay your cat.

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Male cats (toms) are also neutered at around six months of age in order to reduce the risks of them spraying urine in the house and becoming aggressive to other cats.  Entire male cats tend to roam over large areas with the result that they are more likely to become involved in cat fights or road traffic accidents.  Cat castration is done under general anaesthesia and both testicles are removed.

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Let's not forget about rabbits!  Male and female rabbits are usually neutered at around six months of age under general anaesthesia.  In both cases it tends to make them easier to handle and less aggressive.  Female rabbits can get pregnant as early as 16 weeks of age so it is important to get rabbits sexed when you get them and keep males and females separate until neutered.  Around 50% of female rabbits over the age of four will develop uterine carcinoma (cancer of the womb) so it is of particular importance to spay females young.  Rabbit neutering is also done under general anaesthesia and the procedures are similar to those in cats and dogs.

To summarise: with dogs, cats and rabbits not to be used for breeding purposes there are definite health and behavioural advantages to neutering both males and females at an early age.

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