Desexing

Desexing or neutering your pet is a surgical procedure that prevents them from being able to reproduce. In male pets it is commonly referred to as “castration”, and in female pets as “spaying”.This is the most frequent surgery performed by our vets, and generally your pet is home by the evening of surgery.

The most common age to desex your pet is between 4 and 6 months, however they are never too old to be desexed.

Desexing

The most common age to desex your pet is between 4 and 6 months, however they are never too old to be desexed.

Benefits to desexing

There are many benefits to desexing at this age. They include:

Preventing unwanted litters, which can be very costly, and may add to the already overwhelming number of stray animals that are put down each year.
Prevention of testicular cancer, prostate disease, growths and hernias from the anus in males, and it can help prevent pyometra (infection of the uterus) and mammary tumours (breast cancer) in females.
Stopping the “heat” cycle in females.
Decreasing aggression towards humans and other animals, especially in males.
Being less prone to wander, especially in males.
Living a longer and healthier life.
eduction of council registration fees.

Benefits to desexing

There are many benefits to desexing at this age. They include:

Preventing unwanted litters, which can be very costly, and may add to the already overwhelming number of stray animals that are put down each year.
Prevention of testicular cancer, prostate disease, growths and hernias from the anus in males, and it can help prevent pyometra (infection of the uterus) and mammary tumours (breast cancer) in females.
Stopping the “heat” cycle in females.
Decreasing aggression towards humans and other animals, especially in males.
Being less prone to wander, especially in males.
Living a longer and healthier life.
eduction of council registration fees.

What to do before and after surgery

Before surgery:

Make a booking for your pets operation.
If your pet is a dog, wash them the day before surgery as they are unable to be washed after until the stitches are removed.
Do not give your pet food after 9pm the night before the operation.
A blood test may be performed prior to surgery to check vital organ function.
The vet will perform a thorough physical examination before administering an anaesthetic.
Some pets will require intravenous fluid support during surgery. This will be discussed with you prior to the procedure.
To ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible, all pets receive pain relief prior to desexing and to take home for a few days after the procedure.

After surgery:

Keep your pet restrained and quiet as the effects of anaesthetic can take some time to wear off completely.
Keeping them quiet is also essential to allow the wound to heal.
Food and water should be limited to small portions only on the night after surgery.
Follow any dietary instructions that the vet has provided.
Ensure all post-surgical medications (if any) are administered as per the label instructions.
Ensure your pet’s rest area is clean to avoid infection.
Check the incision at least twice daily for any signs of infection or disruption (eg. bleeding, swelling, redness or discharge). Contact the vet immediately if these symptoms appear. Do not wait to see if they will spontaneously resolve.
Prevent your pet from licking or chewing the wound. Special cone-shaped collars assist with this problem. A single chew can remove the careful stitching with disastrous effects.
Ensure you return to us on time for routine post-operative check-ups and removal of stitches.

If you have any concerns before or after your pet has been desexed, please call us immediately on 9626 9561 to discuss.

In line with the 2014 WSAVA guidelines for pain management, we provide post-operative analgesic for up to 3 days in cats and 5 days for dogs following desexing.

– Reseach Council (US) Committee on Recognition and Alleviation of Pain in Laboratory Animals. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2009