We recommend spaying (ovariohysterectomy) of bitches not used for breeding purposes.
There are many reasons for doing this:
- Prevention of unwanted pregnancy
- Prevention of false pregnancy
- Prevents bitches coming into season - this would attract male dogs from the area and your bitch is likely to try to escape to seek attention
- Stops the risk of pyometra - life threatening uterine infection
- Considerably reduces the risk of mammary tumours - especially if spayed before the second season
Bitches do not need a litter prior to spaying and the procedure is unlikely to have any effect at all on their nature.
We recommend castrating male dogs that are not going to be used for breeding. Castration reduces the likelihood of behavioural problems such as aggression, mounting behaviour, marking or roaming. Other good reasons to castrate your dog include: -
- Stops the risk of testicular cancer
- Reduces the risk of perineal hernia
- Considerably reduces the risk of prostate problems
- Considerably reduces the risk of anal adenomas (tumours around the anus)
Dogs and bitches will require a general anaesthetic for the procedure and are able to go home later on the same day as the surgery. Neither dogs nor bitches will have skin sutures after their operation. We are able to perform neutering at our Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes (Cos Lane) and Leven (dog neutering only) surgeries. Please just give the surgeries a call to arrange a date and our receptionists will give you all the necessary details.