Veterinarian recommendations

Neutering - a guide to castration or spaying

BEFORE THE OPERATION
  Animals must be in good health,
  You will need to starve your dog for 8-12 hours before they go under anaesthetic, i.e. give them dinner the night before, but no breakfast or treats on the morning of their operation.

AFTER THE OPERATION

 Your animal will wake up from their anaesthetic under the careful watch of a vet or vet nurse, then placed in a warm, comfortable place to recover.

  Most animals can return home a few hours after their operation, but if your animal takes a bit longer to come round from their anaesthetic, they may need to be monitored for longer.

Recovery and home care

1. Keep your pet confined where it will be quiet and warm.
2. DO NOT place it on a bed or other high place.
3. Keep your pet away from other animals and children for at least 12 hours.
4. Offer water and food in very small amounts for the first 12 hours. If vomiting occurs, do not give anything else by mouth until morning.
5. In general, lack of appetite, vomiting, or depression are related to anesthesia and may be normal following surgery. After 24 hours, any one of these symptoms may indicate a problem.

Taking care of the wound:

1. No suture removal is required, unless otherwise stated. Suture material will absorb.
2. The incision site should be kept clean. In some cases your veterinarian will utilize belly wraps, after-surgery wear, to cover and protect the surgical site.
3. Check the incision daily for excessive swelling, redness, oozing, or separation. Some swelling is expected. Do not allow your animal to lick the incision area. 

Normal issues after surgery

1. When your pet first comes home, they might be a bit sleepy and disorientated. This can last for several hours, but they will start to feel much more normal as the anaesthetic drugs leave their body (usually within 24-48 hours). 
2. Small amount of bloody discharge from surgical incision a few days.
3. Decreased appetite 24–36 hours after the surgery

Issues that require attention, but are not an emergency

1. Not returning to eating or drinking 3 days after the surgery.
2. Significant swelling at the surgical incision.
3. Colored discharge from the incision.
4. Pale gums.
5. Intermittent vomiting for days after surgery.

Emergency issues after surgery

1. Consistent flow of blood from surgical incision.
2. Consistent vomiting that won't stop.
3. Difficulty breathing.
4. Not urinating or defecating 2 days after the surgery.

 Neutering has many benefits; it helps with population control by eliminating unwanted pregnancies, it reduces your pets’s risk of certain diseases, prevents heat cycles and has positive behavioral benefits.

There are also many misconceptions going around regarding the behavioral effects neutering has on PETS. Neutering will not make your pet lazy or fat as long as you provide your furry friend with a healthy diet and enough exercise. However, you may need to reduce the number of calories you are feeding them and provide them with extra playtime because they won't be burning calories through activities such as fighting, roaming, or mating as often.