Male dogs can be neutered (castrated) from six months of age - though this timing is less critical than it is for bitches where the objective is to do the operation before they come into season.

The main benefits of castrating male dogs are:

• There is a much reduced chance of them developing prostate disease in later life
• Less chance of developing tumours around the tail area
• No chance of developing testicular cancer
• Less chance of developing certain types of hernia
• Helps to modify certain types of behaviour especially vagrancy i.e. running off to roam
• Reduction in the amount of discharge from the prepuce (sheath around the penis) in adult dogs.

This procedure involves the removal of both testicles through a single, small skin wound. We provide a comprehensive set of painkillers to each animal to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible afterwards. We also use suture materials that produce less discomfort and by using subcuticular sutures (hidden stitches underneath the skin) there is no need for any sutures to be taken out and the animal is much less inclined to lick at their wound afterwards.

Animals are admitted and sent home on the same day and come back to us a week later for a routine wound check.