Routine Surgery, Neutering & Dental Treatments Are Carried Out Each Week Day
We also perform more complex operations here, including advanced soft tissue (abdominal/skin/cancer surgery) and orthopaedic (bone/joint) surgery. Our vet Simon is an RCVS recognised Advanced Practitioner in General Small Animal Surgery, so your pet will be in good hands!
We are now offering out our services to pets from other practices too. Visit our dedicated Kelperland Surgical Referrals site for more info on what we can offer and how to get in touch.
Neutering
Unfortunately, there are still too many unwanted puppies and kittens in the world, and so unless you are thinking of breeding from your pet we would recommend neutering.
As well as preventing unwanted pregnancy, neutering can reduce the likelihood of some nasty diseases such as mammary (breast) cancer or testicular cancer.
The main disadvantage to neutering is that most animals will put weight on after their operation due to hormonal changes. We would recommend that you reduce the quantity of food you feed your pet and be very careful with treats for the first 6 months after the operation, which is the high-risk time for excessive weight gain. As long as this aspect is known about, it can be addressed and is not a valid reason for not neutering your animal.
When Can My Pet Be Neutered?
- Male dogs can be neutered anytime from 6 months old. There has been a study recently that suggests that larger breed male dogs should be castrated over one year old – we can discuss this with you and will decide on timing on a case-by-case basis.
- Female dogs can be neutered either at 6 months old, or 4 months after any season finishes. There are some nuances here – a study suggested dachshunds should be neutered over a year old. Some female dogs experience a ‘phantom pregnancy’ which is when their hormones get confused and think they’re pregnant when they’re not! This can alter the timing of everything too. Each case is a bit different – we’re here to help and advise either in the practice or on the phone so get in touch to discuss if you’re not sure.
- Cats can be neutered anytime from 6 months old. If you have a boy and a girl together they may want doing a bit earlier to prevent unplanned surprises!
- Rabbits can be done from 4 months old.
To discuss this topic further, please visit the surgery, telephone 01628 624935 or request an appointment here.
If your pet is booked in for an operation, please read the day patient procedure below:
- If your dog or cat is booked in for a day procedure involving an anaesthetic then please don’t give it any breakfast that morning. They can have some dinner the night before, and water overnight, but nothing in the morning.
- Rabbits and other furries however can have their food left in with them when they’re brought in.
- Drop off at the surgery is normally between 8.30 and 9.30, but other arrangements can be made if necessary.
- You will see one of our nurses who will go through a consent form with you and confirm the plan for the day.
- If your dog or cat is over the age of 8 then we would recommend a pre-anaesthetic blood test. This is run on our machine at the practice, and tells us if there are any underlying health issues that may compromise the use of an anaesthetic.
- Operations are normally performed between 11am and 1pm.
- We will ring you when everything is done to give you an update and arrange a time for collection.
- Most pets who have had operations will go home with a ‘lampshade,’ or buster collar on their head. Although the animal may not like it initially, they get used to them very quickly, and can eat and sleep with them on. It is often best to keep the buster collar on all the time until stitches are removed, to prevent the wound being licked, or worse coming undone.
- Most pets will also go home with some pain killing medication. We will explain all medication to you when you come down for collection.
