This article will discuss the many benefits of desexing your pet in more detail below. It’s important to note that desexing should only be performed by a qualified veterinarian and not done at home, as it’s a complex surgery that requires anaesthesia and pain relief.
What Is Desexing?
Desexing, also known as spaying and neutering, is a necessary procedure for animal health and welfare. As many animal owners know, reproductive organs are not just used for producing offspring; they also play important roles in other aspects of an animal’s life. For example, the ovaries in female animals secrete hormones that help regulate mood, energy levels, and weight control. Removing those organs can have significant consequences for an animal’s overall well-being.
Similarly, the testes in male animals are responsible for producing testosterone and other male sex hormones. These hormones have widespread effects on reproduction and behaviour, including regulating aggression and mating behaviour. Consequently, desexing not only helps to prevent unwanted pregnancies but also helps to prevent health problems related to hormonal imbalances.
Therefore, desexing is an important procedure that all pet owners should consider for their animals’ long-term well-being.
What Age Is The Best to Desex?
The age at which a pet should be desexed is a debate among pet owners and veterinarians. Some believe that the best time to have your pet desexed is around six months, while others argue that it is better to wait until later in the animal’s life, usually between one and 1.5 years. Ultimately, deciding when to desex a pet will depend on several factors, including its sex and breed and your individual preferences as a pet owner.
To get help making this decision, you can always consult your vet or another trained professional with experience working with animals. Some vets suggest that early-age desexing may be preferable for certain types of pets, such as smaller breeds or those prone to developing certain health conditions.
It is important to remember that every animal is different, and there is no right answer when determining the best age for desexing. If you are unsure about what’s best for your pet, talk to your vet and trust their expertise in this area. After all, their goal is always to ensure the health and well-being of your animal companion!
What to Expect With the Surgery
Desexing typically entails a day in the hospital under general anaesthesia, with recovery time at home following the procedure. During this time, pets will require plenty of care to ensure that they heal properly and quickly. After ten days, pet owners can return to the vet clinic for a follow-up visit to have any stitches removed.
With proper care and attention during and after surgery, your pet will recover quickly and without complications from desexing.
Health Benefits of Getting Your Pet Desexed
One of the main reasons to desex your pet is for their health. Both males and females can suffer from various diseases and disorders if they are not desexed.
- Males can have testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and other diseases of the reproductive organs.
- Females can suffer from cystic ovaries, ovarian tumours, acute uterine infections, breast cancer, and other diseases like mammary cancer and perianal tumours.
- Females can also suffer from physical and nutritional exhaustion if they are continually breeding. In general, pets that are desexed live longer and healthier lives.
Behavioural Benefits of Desexed Animals
- For male animals, desexing can help to decrease their mating instincts and make them much calmer overall. It is especially helpful for dogs prone to wandering or cats that spray urine around the house to mark their territory.
- For female animals, desexing reduces hormonal fluctuations that can trigger aggression. It is ideal for aggressive dogs or cats that don’t get along well with other animals or love to scratch furniture.
- Additionally, spayed or neutered pets are less likely to roam or fight with other animals, making it ideal for those who want to keep multiple pets in the house without worrying about turf wars breaking out.
Desexing is one of the best ways to improve your pet’s quality of life by decreasing behavioural issues and improving overall health and well-being.
Other Benefits of Desexing Your Pet
Can Extend Your Pet’s Life Expectancy
One of the most compelling reasons to desex your pet is that it can help them live a longer, healthier life. Studies have shown that desexed pets are less likely to suffer from certain types of cancer and other diseases. They also tend to have fewer accidents and injuries overall. So, if you want your pet to stick around for as long as possible, desexing is a great way to help make that happen.
Can Save You Money in the Long Run
While the initial cost of desexing your pet may seem like a lot, it’s important to remember that it can save you money in the long run. That’s because pets who aren’t spayed or neutered are much more likely to get lost or injured – which can cost you a pretty penny in vet bills.
Not to mention, if your un-desexed pet happens to have babies, you’ll be responsible for finding homes for all of them – which can be an expensive and time-consuming endeavour. In short, getting your pet desexed now can save you a lot of hassle (and money) down the road.
Final Thoughts on Desexing Your Pets
There are many good reasons to desex your pet. It will help them live longer and healthier life and reduce their chances of engaging in anti-social behaviours. If you have questions about the procedure, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
About Chatswood Veterinary Clinic
Chatswood Veterinary Clinic provides a wide range of services for our companion animals in a caring and loving environment, including desexing services.
We strive to work as a team with you to provide the care you want and need for your pet, from wellness programmes to diagnostics and treatment of complex disorders, often with the collaboration of specialists and specialist facilities.
If you’d like more information about our clinic, don’t hesitate to contact us today with all your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Desex My Pet?
There are many reasons why you want to desex your pet. Some people do it for behavioural reasons, to reduce territorial behaviours. Others do it for health reasons, as desexed pets generally live longer and healthier lives.
What Are the Risks of Desexing?
When performed by a qualified veterinary professional, desexing can be a safe and effective way to help keep male dogs and female dogs healthy. While desexing comes with some risks, such as complications from using anaesthesia and infection at the surgical site, these risks are typically very low.
To minimise these risks, your veterinarian will take steps such as carefully monitoring your dog’s health throughout the surgery and introducing soft food after the procedure to help facilitate healing.
What Is the Cost of Desexing My Pet?
On average, you can expect to pay between $100 and $500 for desexing. The cost may be higher if your pet is particularly old or sickly; in such cases, some veterinarians suggest postponing the surgery until your animal regains its health. Small animals like cats or dogs are less expensive than larger animals like horses or cows.
Ultimately, whether or not you decide to get your pet desexed will depend on several factors: budget, preferences for accidental pregnancy and/or roaming behaviour, etc. Whatever your decision may be, though, it’s important to talk with your vet about what’s best for the health and well-being of your beloved companion animal.
How Do I Prepare My Dog for Desexing?
To prepare your dog for desexing, you should start by focusing on cleanliness. Ideally, you should wash your dog at least 24-48 hours before the surgery to remove any dirt or sand from their skin. Note that it is important not to wash your dog on the morning of the surgery, as doing so may put them at risk of becoming too cold once under anaesthesia.
Discuss any necessary medications with your veterinarian beforehand to prepare your dog for desexing. It will help ensure that all of their physical needs are met and that they are ready for treatment. Additionally, you should feed your dog lightly a few hours before the procedure to reduce their risk of feeling nauseous or vomiting during or after the operation.
These simple steps help prepare your dog for desexing and minimise any potential disruptions to its overall health and well-being.
How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Heal After Desexing?
It is important to be aware of the healing process that will take place after the surgery is completed. During the first five days after the procedure, no healing will occur, and your dog’s wound and sutures may appear red, inflamed, or swollen. However, these areas will gradually heal over the next five days and become less tender and sensitive.
To maximise this healing process and minimise complications, you must confine your dog to a small area during this initial period. It means keeping your pet on a leash when walking outside and limiting its physical activity so as not to aggravate the surgical site. With adequate rest, nutrition, and care during this period, your dog should return to its normal self in no time.
What Are the Characteristics of Desexing Cats?
All cat owners should be aware of several important characteristics of desexing cats. First, male cats are typically desexed to prevent unwanted breeding and unwanted behaviours such as scent marking and aggressive territorial behaviour. On the other hand, desexing female cats are typically recommended for health reasons, as it can help prevent diseases such as uterine infections and cancer. In addition, most veterinarians recommend that both male and female cats be desexed to reduce the risk of potentially fatal conditions like Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia Virus.
These are just a few key characteristics that make spaying and neutering an important step in cat ownership. Whether male or female, all cats should undergo the desexing procedure to lead longer, healthier lives.
