The data shows that 75 per cent of neuters were complication-free.

Some 40,000 cases offer insight into levels of patient safety

RCVS Knowledge - the charity partner of the RCVS - has released the latest small animal neutering complication rates, together with the first-ever benchmarks for rabbit neutering.

Baseline figures for castrations and spays in cats and dogs are almost identical to last year’s benchmarks, suggesting neither improvement nor deterioration in treatment quality across audited practices. 


For the first time, researchers gathered data on rabbits. However, the small sample size restricts conclusions that can be drawn from the numbers. 


Published on RCVS Knowledge’s vetAUDIT website, the data includes some 40,000 cases submitted anonymously by veterinary practices across the UK. Standout benchmarks include:

• more than 15 per cent of animals suffered an abnormality related to the operation, with around half of these requiring medical treatment or surgical intervention
  
• 75 per cent of neuters were complication-free
  
• in cats and dogs, spays suffered a higher incidence of complications than castrates. However, the reverse was seen in rabbits
  
• spayed and castrated cats suffered fewer complications than dogs
  
• in dog spays, at least 25 per cent of operations resulted in some form of complication (including fatality)
  
• more than 95 per cent of castrated cats suffered no abnormality
  
• thirty-five animals died as a result of a neutering procedure, including one rabbit
  
• over 3,000 cases were lost to follow-up.
  

“These benchmarks are of importance to all small animal practices and offer invaluable insight into the current levels of patient safety associated with routine neutering procedures,” said Pam Mosedale, chair of the Quality Improvement Advisory Board at RCVS Knowledge. “We are pleased to have been able to incorporate rabbit data into this year’s benchmarks, broadening the scope of the audit.
 
“We are also heartened to see a 10 per cent increase in data submitted to the audit in 2019, which not only makes the national benchmarks more accurate but demonstrates the growing importance the professions are placing on quality improvement methods.”