If (and its a very big 'if') I decided to have my two bitches spayed, are there any pros and cons in having them both done at the same time? Also on the same lines, how can you check out a vets competency in performing spaying. My vet is very good but how do I know how good a surgeon he is.
Lorna

Lorna the advantage of having 2 bitches 'spayed' at the same time is they will recover together so you will have less worries with the well one pestering her friend who's just had the surgery.

The best way I've found to see how good your vet is - is to make friends with his nurses, especially in a practice with more than one vet to chose from - I ask them who they'd let spay or operate on their own animals, you'd be surprised at the replies - one even told me to use a vet from a different practice altogether lol. Also ask other dog owners locally if their vets performed surgery to their satisfaction, if you go to ringcraft or some training classes that's a good place to start and of course those you meet on your walks.