Spaying and Neutering: What to Expect Before and After Surgery

Neutering — castration for males, spaying for females — is among the most common operations vets perform. It prevents unwanted litters and, for many species, reduces the risk of serious disease: spayed female rabbits, for example, are protected from the womb cancer that otherwise affects most unspayed does.

A little preparation makes the day smoother.

Your pet is admitted in the morning, examined, and given a general anaesthetic with monitoring throughout. Most animals go home the same afternoon, sleepy but comfortable, with pain relief and written aftercare instructions.

Most recoveries are straightforward with quiet care.

A pet that will not wake properly, repeated vomiting, a wound that opens or oozes, refusal to eat beyond the first day, or a rabbit that stops eating or produces no droppings — rabbits need same-day attention.

The best age varies by species, breed and individual — large-breed dogs in particular may benefit from waiting until they are physically mature. This is a conversation to have with your vet, not a rule to read off a chart.