Animal neutering

Neutering of male and female cats, dogs, and other pets at the Zoolux Clinic

Castration (orchiectomy) is one of the most common elective surgeries in veterinary medicine; it not only helps control animal reproduction but also reduces the risk of developing many hormone-related and inflammatory diseases in the future.

The Zoolux veterinary clinic performs spaying and neutering procedures on cats, dogs, and other pets using state-of-the-art anesthesia techniques, patient monitoring, and post-operative care.

Cat neutering

For females, spaying involves the removal of the ovaries or the ovaries along with the uterus (ovariohysterectomy).

Benefits of neutering cats:

✔️ Prevention of unwanted pregnancy
✔️ Significant reduction in the risk of breast tumors
✔️ Prevention of pyometra and ovarian disorders
✔️ Reduction in hormone-related behavior
✔️ Reduced risk of running away during heat

When is neutering recommended?

Cats can be neutered starting at 3 months of age.
To date, there is no reliable evidence that early neutering has a negative impact on an animal’s growth and development.

❗ At the same time, weight gain is possible after neutering, so it’s important to monitor your pet’s diet and activity levels.

Spaying before the first heat cycle provides the greatest preventive benefit against the development of mammary tumors.

Neutering cats

Neutering cats (orchiectomy) is a surgical procedure to remove the testicles.

The procedure helps:

✔️ Reduce territorial marking
✔️ Reduce the risk of escape
✔️ Modify certain hormone-related behaviors
✔️ Prevent unwanted breeding

Neutering can be performed starting at 3 months of age.

❗ A prerequisite for elective castration is the presence of two testicles in the scrotum.

For Maine Coon cats, a veterinarian may recommend a personalized approach to determining the optimal age for surgery due to the breed’s predisposition to certain orthopedic conditions.

Dog neutering

Dogs are neutered both for medical reasons and as a preventive measure.

Surgery may help:

✔️ Prevent unwanted breeding
✔️ Reduce the risk of certain reproductive system diseases
✔️ Correct certain behavioral issues
✔️ Reduce the risk of escapes and aggressive behavior

Before surgery, female dogs must:

✔️ A physical examination is performed;
✔️ The condition of the reproductive system is assessed;
✔️ A Pap smear is performed if necessary.

If the uterus shows no signs of pathology or inflammation, the doctor may recommend a less invasive surgical procedure.

Important information for owners of large dog breeds

For dogs weighing 25 more than 25 kg, there are specific considerations regarding the scheduling of neutering.

In some large breeds, early neutering may be associated with an increased risk of:

✔️dysplasia;
✔️anterior cruciate ligament tear;
✔️certain orthopedic issues.

In such cases, the doctor may recommend waiting until later in life to have the surgery.

In addition, some female dogs (particularly French Bulldogs, Corgis, and large-breed dogs) are at risk of developing urinary incontinence after spaying. That is why the decision regarding the timing and type of surgery is always made on a case-by-case basis.

Laparoscopic castration

Zoolux Clinic offers laparoscopic neutering—a modern, minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Advantages of laparoscopic castration:

✔️ Minimal tissue trauma
✔️ Less post-operative discomfort
✔️ Faster recovery
✔️ Small incisions instead of a large incision
✔️ Better cosmetic results

The procedure is performed using endoscopic equipment and video monitoring.

Anesthesia and Safety

All procedures are performed under general anesthesia with continuous monitoring of the patient's vital signs.

The clinic uses:

✔️Modern anesthesia protocols;
✔️Inhalation anesthesia;
✔️Monitoring of heart rate, respiration, and body temperature.
The animal must be examined by a veterinarian before surgery.

General Terms and Conditions for Transactions

Before a scheduled surgery at the Zoolux veterinary clinic, the animal is always examined by a surgeon and an anesthesiologist
The veterinarian conducts an examination, assesses the patient’s condition, and rules out any possible contraindications to surgery.

If there are no contraindications, the animal remains in the surgical ward to prepare for surgery.
If necessary, the following may be recommended:

✔️Blood tests;
✔️Echocardiogram;
✔️Additional tests.

What a typical workday is like

✔️Surgeries are performed on a first-come, first-served basis, not immediately after the consultation.
✔️All surgical procedures require 100% prepayment.
✔️Additional pre-operative examinations (tests, pre-operative studies) are performed at the hospital, or all tests can be conducted a couple of days before the surgery.
✔️During their stay at the hospital, animals are kept in individual crates.

The owner may pick up the animal only after receiving a call from the veterinarian confirming that the patient has fully recovered from surgery and is ready to be discharged.

Important information for owners

❗ Owners are not permitted to be present during the procedure, as the operating room is a sterile area accessible only to medical staff.

❗ While preparing for surgery, the animal’s paw may be shaved to allow for the insertion of an intravenous catheter. After surgery, a special bandage may remain on the paw—it must be removed at home according to the veterinarian’s instructions.

What is included in the cost of the procedure

The cost of the surgical procedure includes:

✔️Anesthesiology services;
✔️Supplies;
✔️Surgeon's fees;
✔️Hospital stay in the surgical ward;
✔️Postoperative monitoring.

Combination of operations and other procedures

It is not recommended to combine certain procedures on the same day.

For example, spaying or neutering and professional teeth cleaning are two separate procedures, so they are usually performed separately.
In some cases, the veterinarian may approve combining these procedures to minimize the need for anesthesia, but the decision is always made on a case-by-case basis after assessing the risks to the patient.

Postoperative Care

After surgery, the animal remains under veterinary supervision until it has fully recovered.
❗️All animals require pain medication for 3–5 days following elective surgery, even if they appear to be feeling perfectly fine.
❗️Some patients may require additional protection to prevent them from licking at their wounds or stitches. Regardless of the type of surgery—whether the wound was closed with adhesive tape, sutured, or left open, as is common in cats—a protective collar may be necessary. This usually depends more on the patient’s temperament and sensitivity than on the type of surgery alone.

The owner receives:

✔️Care recommendations;
✔️Medication and treatment schedule;
✔️Recommendations regarding activity and nutrition.

In most cases, recovery takes a few days.

Schedule a neutering appointment

👉 Schedule a consultation at the Zoolux Veterinary Clinic in Kyiv to determine the best time and method for your pet’s surgery.