Gynaecology
Veterinary gynaecology and obstetrics are areas within which we provide both diagnosis and specialised treatment for ailments of bitches, cats and females of other animal species. An important part of this specialisation is the assisted reproduction and offspring care programmes that we run. Veterinary gynaecology also deals with males, which distinguishes it from human medicine. Our specialists offer diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the reproductive system of dogs, cats and males of other animal species.
The most common questions about neutering and sterilisation of dogs and cats:
What does the neutering procedure look like in a dog?
- The procedure is carried out under full anaesthetic. In dogs, one or two incisions running parallel to the white line near the penis are made, through which the testes are brought out of the scrotal sac. The wound is then closed with two or three stitches.
What does the neutering procedure look like in a cat?
- It differs slightly from canine neutering due to the higher location of the scrotum, which allows a cut on the scrotum to be made, after which the wound heals spontaneously.
What are the advantages of neutering?
- Getting rid of persistent oestrus in females, bleeding, use of hormonal drugs
- Prevention of unwanted pregnancies, reduction of the number of homeless animals
- Prevention of an imaginary pregnancy
- Prevention of mammary gland tumours
- Prevention of ovarian disease
- Prevention of suppuration
- Reducing the need for territorial importance in male cats and their tendency to fight
- Often a reduction in aggression and persistent sexual behaviour
- Prevention of prostate diseases: hypertrophy, cysts, inflammation, cancer
- Prevention of testicular disease
- Prevention of cancers of the anal area
- Neutering is necessary due to the risk of testicular tumours retained in the abdominal cavity or inguinal canal
- Neutering is indicated in animals suffering from epilepsy, as it can significantly reduce the frequency of seizures
What are the disadvantages of neutering animals?
- Not so much disadvantages as consequences: the main one is irreversibility – fertility cannot be restored after the procedure. Females may experience the problem of incontinence (20% of large-breed females).
What does neutering not do – what are the main myths?
- Weight gain – the lack of action of sex hormones slows down the metabolism, but this is not the cause of weight gain but an inappropriate diet.
- Changes in character and temperament – neutering has no effect on this, only sex hormone-dependent behaviour changes: importance of territory, desire to run away from home, aggression, persistent sexual behaviour.
- Animals are unhappy because of their inability to raise offspring – this is not true, the need for procreation depends solely on the secretion of sex hormones. Neutered animals do not produce them.
- Neutering is dangerous – not true, neutering is a routine procedure.
What is the best age for an animal to be neutered?
- In dogs and male cats – after sexual maturity. Cats – 9 or 10 months of age, dogs depending on breed – 7 or 14 months of age.
- In female cats, around six months of age before the first heat; the great advantage of such early sterilisation is that tumours of the mammary glands are largely prevented.
- In bitches – females should be castrated before their first heat if we want to protect them from mammary tumours.