Desexing

• Preventing unwanted litters, which can be very costly, and may add to the already overwhelming number of stray animals that are put down each year
• Prevention of testicular cancer and prostate disease in males, and it can help prevent pyometra (infection of the uterus) and mammary tumours (breast cancer) in females.
• Stopping the “heat” cycle in females  (which occurs for the first time at approximately six months old and thereafter approximately every six months for life)
• Decreasing aggression towards humans and other animals, especially in males, and decreased vocalisation in female cats.
• Being less prone to wander, especially in males, and less defensive of their territory.
• Living a longer and healthier life.
• Reduction of council registration fees.

“Will desexing affect my pet’s personality?”
Your pet will retain their pre-operation personality, possibly with the added bonus of being calmer and less aggressive.

“Should my female have one litter first?”
No – it is actually better for her not to have any litters before being spayed. Her risk of developing breast cancer increases if she is allowed to go through her first heat.

“Will it cause my pet to become fat?”
Your pet’s metabolism may be slowed due to hormonal changes after desexing, however this is easily managed with adjusting feeding and ensuring adequate exercise. There is no reason a desexed pet cannot be maintained at a normal weight.

“Is desexing painful?”
As with all surgery, there is some tenderness immediately after the procedure, but most pets will recover very quickly. We administer pain relief prior to surgery and after surgery too.Your pet will be discharged with a short course of pain relief medication to take at home for the first few days after the surgery.  In many cases, your pet will likely need some encouragement to take it easy!

Before surgery:

• Make a booking for your pet’s operation (Kingston Veterinary Hospital performs the procedure any day Monday to Friday, with drop off appointments generally being from 8am-9am).
• If your pet is a dog, wash them the day before surgery as they are unable to be washed until the surgery incision has healed.
• Do not give your pet food after midnight the night before the operation and water is fine to give.
• A blood test may be performed prior to surgery to check vital organ function if you have elected it, or if the pet is over seven years old.
• The vet will perform a thorough physical examination before administering an anaesthetic.
• All of our desexing patients receive intravenous fluid support during their surgical procedure here at Kingston Vet, regardless of age or health status. All pets benefit from the steady blood pressure as well as speedy recovery from general anaesthetic, which IV fluids help to promote and maintain.
• To ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible, all pets receive pain relief prior to desexing and to take home for a few days after the procedure (cats receive an anti-inflammatory injection that lasts for a few days, so there is no need to tablet them at home!).