Neutering or desexing is a surgical procedure to prevent animals from reproducing. In females this is also known as spaying and in male animals as castration. This is a common surgery performed by vets. Pets are generally booked in on the morning of the surgery and go home the same day. It is recommended that pets are desexed between the ages of 4 to 6 months for most pets. If you have an older pet that is intact, it is not too late to have them desexed.  There are many benefits to having your pet neutered before the age of 6 months.  These include:

  • Stopping a female coming into the “heat” cycle
  • Preventing unwanted litters (this can be expensive and add to the overpopulation problem)
  • Pets are less prone to wander once neutered (especially males)
  • Pets are generally less aggressive after the surgery (especially males)
  • Prevents testicular cancer in males
  • Prevents prostrate disease in males
  • Less risk of pyometra in females (uterine infection)
  • Less risk of breast cancer in females
  • Likely to live healthier and longer lives
  • Reduction of council registration fees

Desexing will not change your pet in any way other that perhaps reducing aggression and making them a little calmer. They will still have the same personality they had before surgery. They are not likely to become obese due to the metabolism slowing as a result of the hormonal changes as long as they get adequate exercise and their feeding is adjusted as necessary. Dogs will also not lose their protective instinct after surgery. If they were good guard dogs before, they are likely to still be after surgery.

A female dog does not need to have a litter to improve her mothering/nurturing instinct. Having your pet go through an oestrus cycle increases the risk of breast cancer down the line.

After surgery your pet will be a little tender and sore even though pain relief is administered before and after surgery. Most pets recover quite quickly after the surgery. You will be given pain medication to assist with pain relief for your pet for a few days after surgery. Try and encourage your pet to relax and take it easy during the recovery period.

Procedure before and after surgery:

  1. Make a booking for the surgery
  2. Wash dogs the day before the surgery as they cannot be washed until after stitch removal
  3. No food after 10pm the night before
  4. No water after 8am on the day of surgery
  5. Full examination will be done by the vet
  6. Blood tests may be done to assess organ function
  7. Some pets will require IV support during surgery
  8. Pain relief is given prior to surgery
  9. Pet goes in for surgery and you are notified afterwards
  10. You take your pet home, they may still seem a bit groggy
  11. Keep them quiet and comfortable until the anaesthesia wears off completely
  12. Try and restrict high energy games/walks etc. while the wound heals
  13. The night after surgery give your pet only small portions of food and water
  14. Can resume normal eating and drinking on the next day or as recommended by the vet
  15. Administer all medications as recommended on the label
  16. Keep their environment clean to avoid the wound becoming infected
  17. Check the wound twice a day to ensure it is healing without infection
  18. Prevent chewing or licking of the wound (Fit a cone if needed).
  19. Return for stitch removal and post-op check up on the due date.

If there is swelling, redness, bleeding or any discharge from the wound, contact your vet immediately. These issues are unlikely to resolve on their own and can result in disastrous consequences for your pet.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have with regards to desexing your dog. Call us to make a consultation when you are ready to neuter your pet.