Everything You Need to Know About Desexing Your Pet

Desexing your pet can feel like a daunting decision, especially when they’re still young and full of energy. For many pet owners, the thought of putting their beloved pet through surgery can bring anxiety and concern.

However, understanding the benefits, timing, and aftercare involved can make the decision easier and more reassuring. We’ll answer all the common questions about desexing your pet, helping you understand why it’s an important step for your pet’s health and well-being.

Desexing is the process of sterilising your pet to prevent them from reproducing. This procedure offers various health and behavioural benefits for both male and female pets.

• Female pets: Desexing prevents unwanted pregnancies, reduces the chance of reproductive cancers, and eliminates the hormonal cycles that cause bleeding and attract attention from male dogs.

• Male pets: Castration can help manage behavioural issues such as aggression, roaming, and excessive marking. It also reduces the likelihood of testicular cancer and prostate issues. For male cats, desexing can lower the risk of contracting Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) through fighting.

Overall, desexing reduces your pet's desire to mark their territory indoors, making it a practical decision for both pet owners and their furry friends.

Desexing is a personal choice, but it’s widely encouraged to help control the pet population and reduce the number of animals in shelters. Uncontrolled breeding often leads to overpopulation, resulting in overcrowded shelters and more animals being euthanised due to the lack of available homes.

By desexing your pet, you contribute to the responsible management of animal populations and help reduce these challenges.

The optimal time for desexing is a topic of ongoing research and debate. For dogs, the recommended age for desexing varies based on their breed and size. Larger breeds may benefit from waiting a little longer to avoid certain growth-related issues, while smaller dogs can often be desexed earlier. It’s best to consult your veterinarian to determine the ideal timing for your dog.

Cats are typically desexed between 4 and 6 months of age, but your vet will provide the most suitable advice for your cat’s individual needs.

Desexing requires full anaesthesia, and the procedure differs between males and females:

• Male pets: Castration involves the removal of both testicles through a small incision beneath the skin.
• Female pets: The uterus and ovaries are removed via a small incision in the abdomen.

While desexing is a common and generally safe procedure, as with any surgery involving anaesthesia, there is always a small risk. However, these risks are minimal when handled by a professional veterinary team.

After the surgery, your pet will likely have a shaved area at the incision site, and possibly around one of their legs or neck, where blood samples were taken. Both internal and external sutures may be used, and it’s crucial to prevent your pet from removing these stitches, which can be difficult with active pets.

To stop your pet from licking or biting at the wound, your vet may recommend an Elizabethan collar, commonly known as "the cone of shame." This collar will help protect the stitches and reduce the risk of infection.

For 5-14 days after the surgery, your pet should be kept as calm and relaxed as possible to allow for proper healing. Overactivity can lead to complications, such as pain, swelling, or tearing of stitches, which could delay recovery.

It’s important to monitor your pet closely for any signs of complications after desexing. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Bruising or significant discomfort
• Vomiting
• Broken or missing stitches
• Urinary incontinence
• Swelling around the incision area
• A reduced appetite or reluctance to eat
• Lack of bowel movements for 2-3 days

If you observe any of these symptoms, it’s best to consult your vet to ensure your pet’s recovery is on track.

If you’re ready to have your pet desexed or would like to discuss the procedure further, please contact us at 8381-2300 or book a consultation online.