Surgery

Neutering Information for Pets

At Brookfield Veterinary Practice, we perform routine neutering procedures Monday to Friday, with the majority of these procedures scheduled for the morning. We kindly ask that you bring your pet to the practice between 8:30am and 8:45am on the day of the procedure. After admittance, a vet or nurse will discuss the plan for the day with you. A pre-operative information sheet will be provided when the procedure is booked.

Neutering Overview

Neutering refers to the surgical removal of reproductive organs and is known as castration for male animals and spaying for females.

Male Animals: Castration involves the removal of the testicles.
Female Animals: spaying involves the removal of the ovaries.

Neutering Cats

Why Should I Neuter My Cat?

Prevents Breeding: Cats can start breeding as early as 5-8 months old.
Reduces Health Risks: Neutered cats are less likely to develop pyometra (womb infections) and mammary tumors. Male cats are less likely to develop testicular cancer.
Behavioural Benefits: Female cats in heat can attract male cats and cause unwanted behaviours such as spraying and fighting. Neutered cats are less likely to roam or fight, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

At What Age Should My Cat Be Neutered?

We recommend neutering at 3 months of age.

What Does Neutering My Cat Entail?

On the day of the procedure, bring your cat in between 8:30am and 8:45am.
Your cat will be monitored during surgery under general anaesthesia and recovery.
We ask that you contact the practice after 2:00pm to arrange a time to collect your cat.
Post-operative care includes pain relief, a heated recovery bed, and a 3-day follow-up appointment.

Neutering Dogs

Why Should I Neuter My Dog?

Behavioural Benefits: Neutering can encourage calmer behaviour, reduce aggression, and prevent unwanted sexual behaviours like mounting and marking territory.
Health Benefits: Prevents certain cancers and eliminates the risk of womb infections (pyometra) in females.
Financial Benefits: Neutering prevents unplanned pregnancies and the associated costs of raising puppies.

At What Age Should My Dog Be Neutered?

Male Dogs: Castration can be done from 12- 18 month for most breeds. For large /giant breeds including Rottweilers, Irish Wolfhounds, Greyhound, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Samoyed and Dobermann a consult with the vet is recommended to discuss risks such as osteosarcomas - bone cancer.
Female Dogs: We recommend spaying 3 months after the first season. We do offer Laparoscopic spays, if interests you please take a look at our Laparoscopy page.

What Does Neutering My Dog Entail?

Bring your dog in between 8:30am and 8:45am for pre-operative preparation.
The surgery will be performed under general anaesthesia with a pre-medication (sedation and pain relief).
Post-surgery, your dog will be monitored by a Veterinary Nurse and discharged with pain relief medications and a recovery plan.

Neutering Rabbits

Why Should I Neuter My Rabbit?

Prevent Unwanted Litters: Female rabbits can become pregnant immediately after giving birth, leading to rapid population growth.
Health Benefits: spaying female rabbits can reduce the risk of uterine cancer, which affects up to 80% of rabbits aged 5-6.
Behavioural Benefits: Neutering helps reduce aggression and frustration in both male and female rabbits.

At What Age Should My Rabbit Be Neutered?

Male Rabbits: Castrate from 4 months.
Female Rabbits: spay from 6 months before sexual behaviour or aggression appears.

What Does Neutering My Rabbit Entail?

Bring your rabbit in between 8:30am and 8:45am on the day of surgery.
We will ask you to bring some of your rabbits favourite food, so that we encourage your rabbit to eat after the operation.
The procedure involves general anaesthesia and careful monitoring by a Veterinary Nurse.
Post-operative recovery will involve offering your rabbit its favourite food and ensuring it is housed in a warm, draft-free environment.

Post-Operative Care

For all pets, follow-up appointments are scheduled to ensure proper healing:

Cats: A check-up 3 days post-surgery.
Dogs: Check-ups 3 days and 10 days post-surgery.
Rabbits: A check-up 48 hours post-surgery.

If you have any further questions about neutering or would like more details on the procedure, please feel free to contact us at the practice.

2 Branches, Same Standard Of Care

We are proud to announce that we have recently been awarded the RCVS Client Care Award, recognising our commitment to delivering exceptional care and service to our clients. This prestigious award highlights the high standards we maintain and reflects our dedication to providing the best possible experience for every client.

FAQs

How do I book an appointment?

To make an appointment please call your local branch - Hereford 01432 357222 or Ledbury 01531 633922 or, alternatively, you can use our online booking system here.

What do I do in an emergency?

We are operate our own 24 emergency service to ensure the best possible quality of care. If you are a registered client with an emergency when our practice is closed, please phone your normal branch number & follow the instructions. Hereford 01432 357222 or Ledbury 01531 633922.

Do you offer a pet health plan to help spread the cost of pet care?

Yes, Brookfield Veterinary Practice Pet Health Club provides you with a simple, money-saving way to give your cat or dog the regular preventive treatments he or she needs, all for a monthly Direct Debit payment. Find out more here.