Understanding the Benefits and Process of Pet Desexing

There are many benefits to having your dog or cat desexed, with evidence suggesting that desexed pets live longer and have fewer diseases than undesexed pets. The benefits extend beyond just preventing unwanted pregnancies. Pets who have been desexed or sterilised are less likely to get diseases and certain illnesses such as mammary cancer and uterine infections in females and prostate problems in males. There are also behavioural benefits such as preventing male cats from spraying and preventing male dogs attempting to escape their homes to reach nearby females on heat. Entire male dogs will go to extraordinary lengths to pursue a nearby female dog on heat, increasing chances of motor vehicle accidents, dog fights and lost pets.

Unwanted Pregnancies

Veterinarians recommend desexing to prevent unwanted pregnancies in females. This is especially important for cats, as it is not always possible to tell when she is ‘on call’. In female dogs, desexing automatically stops their cycles and the associated bleeding and attention from male dogs.

Undesirable behaviour

Castration helps to control male dominance aggression problems and also reduces their wandering instincts if a female dog in the neighbourhood is on heat. Tomcats have a tendency to roam and fight with other cats which can lead to other medical implications such as cat bite abscesses and FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus).

Significant medical reasons

Spaying reduces the risk of mammary tumours (which can be life-threatening – just like breast cancer in women). Tumours of the ovaries, uterus and cervix and pyometra, a gross infection of the uterus, can also be prevented. Castration can reduce the risk of prostatic disease, perianal tumours, and eliminates the risk of testicular cancers. Desexing may also be recommended in your pet to prevent hereditary diseases being passed on, or for treatment of some diseases such as prostatic hypertrophy or pyometra.

Learn about surgery procedure in our hospital

• Intubation – Anaesthesia is induced and maintained with gas by placing a tube into your pet’s windpipe.
• Theatre – your pet is placed on a heated surgical table in our sterile operating theatre.
• Monitoring care – Respiratory monitors are used and show when a breath has been taken, stethoscopes allow us to hear your pet’s heartbeat and pulse oximeters give a read out of heart rate, pulse strength and blood oxygen levels.
• Nursing team – a dedicated, trained nurse assists our veterinarian during your pet’s procedure.
• Procedure – The surgeon will make a small incision and remove part of your pet’s reproductive system. Once this has been done, they will carefully suture the area.
• Care and recovery – your pet will be moved to our main treatment area where a nurse will carefully monitor your pet’s recovery. It is very important your pet stays warm during the initial stages of recovery so we will use items such as heating pads and blankets and keep them comfortable.

• .Your role – You will need to spend at least 10 minutes with us when you pick up your pet. We will provide you with an information sheet about keeping your pet comfortable and caring for them at home. It is very important that you contact us if you have a concern, no matter how minor you think it is.

Answers to the questions you may ask

• How do I organise my pet’s desexing procedure?
  Please contact us or make an online appointment to schedule a time for your pet’s procedure.  This is best done by telephone so we can discuss any specific questions you may have.  We can also provide information about the price of the procedure as this depends on the species and size of your pet. If your pet is female, we’ll also ask you specific questions about her heat or oestrus cycle.

• Will desexing a trained guard dog reduce their ability to guard?

• Guarding results from instinctive territorial behaviour. It is not changed by the removal of reproductive organs.

• Do pets become lazy after they are desexed?

• There is generally no change in the character of your dog. Young males will be less inclined to mount objects and jump fences in search of a female mate. However, they will still be happy to chase their favourite ball or participate in their favourite activity.

• Should females have a litter before being desexed?
  Spaying a dog before her first heat will reduce the risk of mammary cancer to nearly zero. Every season/heat a female has, significantly increases her chance of developing mammary cancer.