What Is Desexing?
Desexing or neutering is a surgical procedure that prevents pets from being able to reproduce. In male pets it is commonly referred to as castration and involves the surgical removal of the testes. In females. the procedure is referred to as a spey and involves the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries.
It is recommended to desex your dogs and cats for medical and behavioural reasons. It is also law under The Cat Act 2011, that all cats must be desexed or sterilised by the age of 6 months.
Why Desex Your Pet?
Reasons to desex your pet include:
- Prevent unwanted litters which can be costly and contribute further to the amount of stray animals in WA
- Prevention of testicular cancer or prostate disease in males
- Prevention of uterine cancers, pyometra (uterus infection) and mammary tumours in females
- Prevents females from having a 'heat' cycle
- Can help with decreased aggressive behaviour and reduction of inappropriate spraying or urinating, particularly in males
- Other behavioural benefits such as preventing wandering behaviour
- Reduced council registration fees if your dog is desexed
When To Desex Your Pet?
Generally we recommend puppies and kittens to be desexed around 6 months of age. This is to ensure they are developed enough to undergo a general anaesthetic for the procedure, the age of sexual maturity and when some hormonal behaviours can start to develop.Older pets can also be desexed at any age.
What Happens On Surgery Day?
Desexing operations are the most common surgery routine surgery performed at most general practice clinics.
Patients are dropped off in the morning of the surgery day and are able to go home the same day. Pets must undergo a general anaesthetic for desexing surgery which pets are usually fully recovered from within 24 hours. Wound healing then required 10 days post-operative rest before sutures can be checked and removed. Patients must be kept quiet and avoid activity during the recovery period but after sutures have been removed they can return to normal activity.
All surgery patients are offered an optional pre-anaesthetic screening blood test which allows us to check your pet's overall health before proceeding with surgery. All patients go home with post-operative pain-relief and are able to come in for post-operative checks if any concerns.
If you have any concerns or would like to book your pet in for their desexing operation, you can book online or call the clinic on 93411200.