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Pet Advice

Advice about caring for your pet

Neutering

Neutering a male cat or dog is known as castration and involves removal of the testicles. Neutering a female cat or dog is known as spaying and involves removing the uterus (womb) and the ovaries. Your pet only needs to stay with us for the day for these operations.

Reasons to neuter your pet

In both cases it reduces the number of unwanted puppies and kittens.

It reduces the desire to roam and therefore reduces the likelihood of being injured in traffic accidents. It also reduces the risk of some diseases and trauma caused by fighting or mating.

In male dogs it reduces unwanted sexual behaviour towards bitches, people and inanimate objects. In some dogs it can help reduce dominance related aggression. There are also proven health benefits include a reduction or elimination of disorders linked to the prostate gland and testicles including cancers.

In female dogs the proven health benefits include a reduction in mammary tumours (the canine version of breast cancer), prevention of ovarian/womb disorders (including cancer and another life threatening condition known as pyometra) and prevention of phantom pregnancies. It also prevents oestrus (season or heat) which occurs about every six months in entire bitches.

We understand that making the decision to neuter your pet is not an easy one and we are, of course, happy to discuss the concept of neutering with you and give you the most appropriate advice for your situation, before you make any final decisions.

We keep our prices as competitive as possible whilst ensuring your pets get the highest level of care - all our vets are very experienced surgeons and the anaesthetics are carefully monitored by highly trained staff. The prices of all neuterings include a full health check prior to surgery, drugs to prevent pain, a special collar to stop him or her trying to chew the wound, a check up a few days after the operation and removal of any stitches if required (we use internal absorbable stitches only for some operations).

Please call us for an accurate quote for your dog or bitch as the cost is weight dependent.

Vaccinations

Dog and Puppy Vaccinations

Dogs can be routinely vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and kennel cough. At Shipley Vets we use the best vaccination programme available to enable you to get your puppy out and about as early on as possible (e.g. from as early as 11 weeks if you bring your pup to us at the recommended start time of 8 weeks). This early socialisation with other dogs and getting out and about in the world, can help avoid behavioural problems in the future.

In order to maintain immunity from infectious disease, your dog will require annual booster vaccinations. We assess your pets vaccination requirement every year and are careful not to over vaccinate your pet yet we ensure they are not left vulnerable to any of the diseases mentioned above. A full clinical examination will be performed at the same time as the booster and any health or behaviour concerns you may have about your pet can be discussed at this appointment.

If you are considering travelling abroad, your puppy can also be vaccinated against rabies from 12 weeks of age if required.

Cat and Kitten Vaccinations

Cats are routinely vaccinated against cat flu, feline enteritis and feline leukaemia virus. Vaccinations are usually started at 9 weeks of age with a second injection required 3 - 4 weeks later. Kittens should not interact with other (unvaccinated) cats, or venture outside, until 2 weeks after their second vaccination. In order to maintain immunity, your cat will require annual booster vaccinations. A full clinical examination will be performed at the same time.

If you are considering travelling abroad, your kitten can also be vaccinated against rabies from 12 weeks of age if required.

Rabbits

Rabbits, particularly those who have access to a garden or fresh vegetation from the garden, should be vaccinated against viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) and myxomatosis. There is now a combined vaccine which protects against both of these diseases in one injection. Rabbits can be vaccinated from 5 weeks of age. In order to maintain immunity against these diseases, your rabbit will require annual booster vaccinations.

Contact us to book your vaccination.