Desexing Information

What is desexing?
Surgical desexing involves removing part of the sexual reproductive organs in an animal. For females the procedure is called “spaying” and both the ovaries and uterus are removed. For males, “castration” or “neutering” involves the removal of both testicles.

What are the benefits of desexing?
If you are not planning to breed from your pet, desexing is highly recommended as it has many health benefits as well as reduces the number of unplanned pregnancies that is resulting in overcrowded shelters.

Males
– reduces the risk of prostatic diseases
– reduces the risk of perianal tumours
– eliminates the risk of testicular cancer
Females
– reduces the risk of mammary tumours
– eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometra)
– eliminates the risk of tumours in the ovaries, uterus and cervix

When should I desex my pet?
Here at East Malvern Vet we recommend desexing most pets between 5-6 months old (for females this is usually before their first season). Leaving it later than this age can increase their risk of the above conditions and can make the procedure and recovery longer.

What happens on the day?
Desexing is generally a day procedure that can be done any day between Monday and Friday. Once your pet has been admitted to our hospital, we will perform a health check to assess the heart, lungs and body in general. A pre-medication injection (includes sedation and pain relief) is usually administered and will help your pet to relax, in preparation for the procedure. Once the procedure is complete your pet will recover in the hospital and be monitored throughout the afternoon by hospital staff. We ask that you contact the clinic at 3pm to discuss what time your pet will be able to go home.

What is the recovery?
After a general anaesthetic your pet may be mildly sedated for 24 to 48 hours. It is important to keep them in a warm, safe place that night and allow them to sleep. You will have to reduce your pet’s activity for 12 days to keep swelling and the chance of the sutures tearing to a minimum. Your pet may also need an elizabethan cone in order to stop them from licking at the area. Pain relief may be prescribed to your pet for the next few days to keep them comfortable- please make sure you read the label and give as directed. A post- operative appointment in 12 days will need to be made if your pet has sutures so these can be removed.

If you have any questions or would like to book your pet in, please call on 9571 1404, or book online