Common questions people have about desexing
When should I get my dog desexed?
We recommend desexing at 6 months of age. This allows you pet to reach an age where the aneasthetic risk is small and they have not yet reached sexual maturation, so there will be no unwanted pregnancy or hormone driven behavior before this age.
Why should I get my pet desexed?
Desexing not only stops unwanted pregnancy in females it also prevents your dog having a “season” where they will have a blood tinged discharge and may wander to seek out a mate for up to 3 weeks often twice yearly. There are also health benefits to desexing including reduced risk of breast cancer in older dogs and reduced risk of Pyometra (a potentially lethal infection of the uterus).
Desexing in males reduces unwanted behaviours such as aggression, territory marking and unwanted sexual behaviour. It is important to desex males early as learnt behaviours may not disappear after desexing in older dogs. Male dogs have a reduced risk of prostate cancer after desexing.
Desexed animals are cheaper to register with the council, $40 vs $150 for undesexed pets.
What are the negatives of desexing?
After dogs are desexed they do have a tendancy to put on weight. It is important to keep up regular walks/exercise and a good feeding regime to prevent this.
In a very small number of female desexed dogs (<0.5%) urinary incontinence can occur usually as the dog gets older>7 years. This however can easily be treated with medication if it happens.
In male dogs they will not develop all the secondary affects associated with testosterone production such as muscle bulk, size and larger head. Their “personality” is not affected.
What is involved in desexing?
Desexing is a day procedure. Pets are usually dropped off at 9 am and go home between 4-6 pm.
The nurse will discuss the benefits of pre aneasthetic blood tests prior to the procedure.
Your pet needs to be fasted for the aneasthetic. This means dinner the night before but no food or water the morning of the procedure.
Your pet will have a full general aneasthetic monitored by trained nursing staff and state of the art equipment for the duration procedure (40 minutes females, 30 minutes males).
In females the ovaries and uterus is removed via a key hole incision in the abdomen 1-2 cm.
In males both testicles are removed by a keyhole incision in the scrotum 1-2 cm.
All sutures are now placed intradermally and spontaneously dissolve 4-6 weeks post surgery –no removal necessary
How long will it take my pet to recover?
Females generally take longer than males to recover. We recommend 1 week rest and 3 days of pain relief medication (supplied on discharge).
The surgical site should be inspected daily for redness, swelling or discharge. If any of these features are seen a free recheck appointment is required. Full post operative recovery details are provided to you on discharge of your pet.
