Desexing

Unless you plan to breed from your cat or dog then veterinarians strongly recommend desexing.

Why?

• Stops unwanted litters, the RSPCA destroys thousands of animals each year. If you want your children to see puppies take them to the RSPCA or pound to see them.
• Stops medical problems associated with breeding eg. infected uterus, mastitis, birthing problems leading to the need for caesarians (expensive).
• Most insurance companies will not cover breeding problems.
• Stops male dogs and cats wandering looking for on heat females and getting into fights, run over or shot.
• Early female desexing stops the chance of breast and uterine cancer.
• Male desexing stops the chance of prostate problems later in life (quite common in dogs)
• Behavioural and weight problems are uncommon side effects despite the urban myth of desexed dogs always getting fat and slow.
• The usual age for desexing is at 6 months, before a female has her first heat and a male has testosterone production, causing aggression and territory and female searching.

What Happens To My Pet When They Come In To Be Desexed?

Your pet comes in on an empty stomach in the morning and is weighed and them examined by the veterinarian. They then receive a pre-anesthetic sedative and pain relief injection before going into surgery. The vet will choose the anesthetic combination most suitable for your pet, depending on age, weight and breed and any concurrent medical problems. Males have both testicles removed, and females have a full ovariohysterectomy. In most cases your pet can be picked up that evening, will need a warm cozy bed and TLC that night and will be bouncing around as normal within a day or two. Stitches come out 10 days later.

What Does It Cost?

The cost differs depending on the size, sex an species of your pet. Female desexing (spaying), even though routine, is still major abdominal surgery compared with castration, so is more expensive. Larger dogs require more drugs, anesthetics and surgical materials so prices increase for every 10kg weight range.

Price includes:

• Full check up (pre anesthetic blood checks are available at extra cost)
• Pain relief anesthetic and surgery
• Hospitalisation
• Removal of stitches