Desexing
Desexing is highly recommended for pets for several important reasons, benefiting both the animal and the community.
Population Control: Desexing helps control the pet population by preventing unwanted pregnancies. Each year, thousands of puppies and kittens are surrendered to shelters like the RSPCA, many of which are ultimately euthanized due to overpopulation. By desexing your pet before they reach sexual maturity, you can help reduce this heartbreaking outcome and play a responsible part in managing the pet population.
Reduction of Unwanted Behaviours: Desexing can significantly reduce unwanted sexual behaviours caused by sex hormones. For male dogs, it prevents roaming and marking, particularly during a female dog’s heat cycle. Female cats, when desexed, are no longer prone to the yowling and caterwauling associated with being in season. Additionally, desexing can help reduce aggression and territorial fighting, which can lead to injuries and the need for costly veterinary care.
Health Benefits: Desexing offers numerous medical benefits, especially when done at an early age. For male pets, desexing eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the likelihood of prostate issues and other health problems later in life. For female pets, desexing before their first heat cycle significantly lowers the risk of developing mammary cancer. It also completely removes the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers, as well as uterine infections, which can be life-threatening.
Desexing is a simple, effective way to improve your pet’s health and behaviour while contributing to the overall well-being of the pet community. It’s an essential part of responsible pet ownership.
Desexing Age for Cats:
Kittens: The general recommendation is to desex kittens at 8 to 12 weeks of age. This is often before they reach sexual maturity, which can occur as early as 5 to 6 months. Desexing at this early age is safe and can prevent any unwanted pregnancies or the development of undesirable behaviours associated with sexual maturity.
Health Benefits: Early desexing can also help reduce the risk of certain health problems, such as mammary cancer in females and testicular cancer in males. Additionally, kittens recover quickly from surgery at this young age, and it can reduce the likelihood of developing behavioural issues as they grow.
Desexing Age for Dogs:
Small Breed Dogs: Small dog breeds (under 9 kg, or 20 lbs) typically reach sexual maturity earlier, around 6 months of age. However, many vets recommend desexing them at around 5 to 6 months to avoid any behavioural issues and health risks related to hormone levels.
Large Breed Dogs: Larger dogs tend to mature more slowly, so desexing is often recommended around 9 to 12 months of age.
Why Timing Matters:
Health Considerations: Desexing before a dog or cat reaches sexual maturity can lower the risks of certain cancers (testicular and mammary), and prevent behavioural problems associated with hormones.
Behavioural Benefits: Desexing early can help curb behaviours like roaming, marking, and aggression, especially in males. In females, it eliminates the chances of being in heat, which can also lead to unwanted behaviours like vocalisation and anxiety.
Veterinary Guidance: It’s important to consult with your vet to determine the best time for desexing based on your pet’s breed, size, and overall health.
Our Process
Desexing surgeries are performed every weekday, but we ask that you schedule the procedure at least a few days in advance to help us manage our workload efficiently.
Please ensure your pet is fasted from 8 PM the night before their surgery, meaning no food after this time. It’s perfectly fine for them to have access to a small amount of water overnight, but no food. On the day of surgery, we ask that you drop your pet off at the clinic between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM.
The desexing procedure is routine, and we perform hundreds of these surgeries each year. In most cases, your pet will be ready to go home around 5:00 PM the same day. With a little post-surgery care and common sense at home, most pets recover quickly without any complications.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
The Procedure
We take great pride in providing superior desexing services at a competitive price. While some practices may offer cheaper options, we believe our commitment to high-quality care sets us apart. From start to finish, your pet will receive personalized attention from our dedicated veterinary nurse, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience throughout their procedure.
Our clinic is equipped with the latest facilities and technology, providing the highest standard of care. We use the best available veterinary anaesthetics, and all animals are closely monitored during surgery by both electronic equipment and a qualified veterinary nurse, alongside the operating veterinarian.
We take cleanliness and safety seriously; all surgical kits are autoclaved (sterilized) before each operation, and we use top-quality dissolvable suture material for the ligatures and stitches. To prevent infection, every animal is given antibiotics, along with a pain-relieving injection to manage post-surgical discomfort. We also strongly recommend IV fluid therapy during the procedure for female cats and both male and female dogs. To make this as affordable as possible for you, we offer IV fluids at a substantial discount while ensuring the level of care remains top-notch.
For added peace of mind, we offer pre-anaesthetic blood testing to check that your pet’s major organs are functioning properly before anaesthesia is administered. This test is particularly recommended for older pets. You can discuss the benefits of this blood test with one of our veterinarians before surgery.
After surgery, your pet will be kept warm in a clean, comfortable kennel and monitored regularly by our nursing team. Upon discharge, a veterinary nurse will go over the aftercare instructions with you and provide a written discharge sheet with all the necessary information.
If you’re considering microchipping or vaccination for your pet, this can also be conveniently done at the time of their surgery, ensuring your pet receives all necessary care in one visit.
We are dedicated to providing exceptional care and service for your pet, ensuring they have a smooth and speedy recovery.
Price?
The actual cost will be determined by your animal’s size and age. Please contact us for an accurate quote.