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 “speying”. This is the most frequent surgery performed by our vets, and generally your pet is home by the evening of surgery.
When to Desex Your Pet?
The most common age to desex your cat is 3-4 months and for dogs it’s 5-6 months. However they are never too old to be desexed.
Benefits to Desexing Before Six Months
- 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
- In males it prevents cases of testicular cancer, prostate disease, anal tumors and if one or more testicles have been retained (not dropped down) they can become cancerous
- In females it can help prevent a pyometra (infection of the uterus which can cause death if not treated) and mammary tumours (breast cancer) which can be fatal.
- Stopping the “heat” cycle in females
- Decreasing aggression towards humans and other animals, especially in males
- Being less prone to wander, especially in males, the ratio of male to female animals hit by cars is significantly higher in intact- males.
- Living a longer and healthier life
- Reduction of council registration fees
- Cheaper desexing price, the older the animal the more involved the surgery especially in females which involves a laparotomy
Common Questions About Desexing
- Will desexing affect my pet’s personality?
Your pet will retain their pre-operation personality, possibly with the added bonus of being calmer and less aggressive and better family pets, especially around children.
- Should my female have one litter first?
No – it is actually better for her not to have any litters before being spayed.Her risk of developing breast cancer increases if she is allowed to go through her first heat.
- Will it cause my pet to become fat?
Your pet’s metabolism may be slowed due to hormonal changes after desexing,however this is easily managed with adjusting feeding and ensuring adequate exercise. There is no reason a desexed pet cannot be maintained at a normal weight.
- Is desexing painful?
As with all surgery, there is some tenderness immediately after the procedure, but most pets will recover very quickly. We administer pain relief prior to surgery and after surgery too.Your pet may also be discharged with a short course of pain relief medication to take at home for the first few days after the surgery. In many cases, your pet will likely need some encouragement to take it easy!
Will my dog lose its “guard dog” instinct?
No, your dog will be just as protective of their territory as before the surgery.
Pre-Surgery Patient Information
Leaving your pet at the clinic, even for a minor procedure, can be a source of concern for you as a pet owner. Much of this concern can stem from not really knowing what to do for them before and after the surgery and what happens whilst they are with us.
The following information is designed to increase your awareness of what is required and what occurs when your pet is admitted to hospital for surgery.
Pre-Surgery Instructions
- Healthy dogs and cats over 4kg: no food after 10pm the evening prior and no water after 6.30am the morning of the surgery.
- Kittens and puppies under 4kg: should be fed a small breakfast before 6.30am the day of the surgery.
- Preferred drop off time is between 8am and 9.30am the morning of the surgery. Please enquire about a later drop off time if your pet is anxious.
- You can call us after 3pm to check on your pet’s condition.
- If your pet has a wound, you will not be able to bathe them for at least 10 days. Therefore, we recommend a bath before surgery if this is of concern to you.
Hospital Admission
On arrival you will be asked to complete a surgery consent form. This form has questions relating to your pet’s health and also estimated costs of the procedure.
All desexing surgeries and dental procedures include intravenous fluid therapy as outlined below.
Fluid Therapy
Most drugs used for heavy sedation or general anaesthesia cause the patients’ blood pressure to drop. Undetected this can have serious effects on their cardiovascular system, and other organs most notably the liver and kidneys. The risk is increased if the patient is very young, is a senior, has a disease and if the procedure is invasive or lengthy. Intravenous fluid therapy provides an additional safety net by helping to maintain your pet’s blood pressure, which helps protect their vital organs, provides a rapidly available source of fluids in the event of an emergency and reduces recovery time.
All desexing surgeries and dental procedures include intravenous fluid therapy at no extra cost.
Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Tests
These tests provide information about how well your pet’s major organs (for example, liver and kidneys) are working so we can assess the safety and suitability of medications/anaesthetics prior to the procedure – especially important before their first general anaesthetic (usually desexing). Even in seemingly healthy dogs and cats, pre-anaesthetic blood testing can pick up previously unidentified medical conditions and in doing so reduces the risk of complications by enabling postponement or change in a procedure or anaesthetic protocol if abnormalities are detected.
Pre-anaesthetic blood testing is recommended for all pets undergoing general anaesthesia or heavy sedation, and highly recommended in all patients over 7 years of age or in patients with known health issues. Our in-house laboratory enables us to perform these tests in-house and receive results within half an hour.
Pain Relief Medication
Any surgical procedure may cause some post operative pain. Pain relief is given in hospital. We may also recommend pain relief for a few days once you take your pet home from hospital.
Any pet undergoing female desexing receives a second pain relieving injection before they go home. This may keep her a little more sleepy than usual but more comfortable.
