Neuter
Castration (CAX) other wise known as a neuter
The following pets are able to be neutered at our clinic: cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, sugar gliders, chinchillas, skunks, raccoons, foxes and pigs. Neutering your pet is a procedure that removes both testicles. Some clinics also remove the scrotum, but at our clinic we leave the scrotum to leave room for any swelling that may occur during the healing process.
Why?: Neutering prevents unwanted litters, and helps protect against some serious health problems. It also may reduce many behavioral problems associated with mating instinct. This will make them less inclined to roam, and more content to stay at home. It also lessens the risk of developing enlarged prostate glands and testicular cancer. This procedure has no effect on a pet’s intelligence or ability to learn, play work, or hunt. Some pets tend to be better behaved following surgical removal of their testes.
Recovery: Typical recovery, as long as the animal isn’t too active during the healing process, is about 10-14 days.
Risks: Doing this procedure too early in life can increase risk of health problems like urinary incontinence and some types of cancer. Neutering is considered a major surgical procedure, and they are the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians. Like any surgical procedure, there is associated risk with anesthesia and surgery itself, but the overall incidence of complications is very low. Before the procedure, your pet is given a thorough physical examination to ensure that he is in good health. General anesthesia is administered to perform the surgery and medications are given to minimize pain. You will be asked to keep your pet calm and quiet for a few days after surgery as the incision begins to heal.
The requirements we ask before your pet is neuter at our clinic; the pet must be at least 6 months of age. Except for rabbits, they are able to be neutered at 4 months. They must have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, if there is no history of a rabies vaccine we will have to give your pet the vaccine. If you want to see if your pet is required to have a rabies vaccine check out Rabies.
