What do we mean by desexing?

Surgical desexing involves removing part of the reproductive system of an animal whilst under a general anaesthetic. There are many different names to describe this procedure but the correct word for female pets is spay or ovario-hysterectomy and for male pets it is castration or neutering.

Why do we recommend desexing?

Veterinarians recommend desexing to prevent unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. This is especially important for cats, as it is not always possible to tell when your female cat is on heat. In female dogs, desexing automatically stops their cycles and the related bleeding and attention from male dogs. Castration helps to control male aggression and dominance problems, though it is not a cure, and also reduces their wandering.  Uncastrated tomcats have a tendency to roam and fight, which leads to cat bite abscesses and possible infection with associated diseases such as FIV.

There are also important medical reasons for desexing. Spaying performed before two years of age reduces the risk of mammary tumours, ovarian, uterine and cervical tumours, and pyometra (an infection of the uterus) can also be prevented.

Castration reduces the risk of prostatic disease, perianal tumours, and eliminates the risk of testicular cancers.

Spaying involves entering the abdominal cavity and removing the ovaries and uterus. Castration involves the removal of the testicles through a skin incision. In dogs and female cats the surgical site will be sutured.

The operation is a day procedure and is performed under full general anaesthetic by one of our vets, and monitored both electronically and by a fully trained veterinary nurse.

We recommend a pre anaesthetic blood test before surgery to detect any abnormalities with the liver, kidneys or blood which may increase the risk of anaesthetic. We also recommend that intravenous fluids (a drip) are administered during the surgery. Fluids help to maintain normal blood pressure throughout an anaesthetic and assist in a speedy recovery.

Females should have a litter before being desexed. This is not necessary for your pet's benefit. Spaying a dog before her first heat will reduce the risk of mammary cancer to nearly zero.

Desexing will make my pet fat. By removing organs that produce hormones your pet's metabolism may be slowed, it's overfeeding your pet that will make it fat.

Pets become lazy after they are desexed. There is generally no change in the character of your dog. Young males will be less inclined to mount objects and jump the fence.

Desexing a trained guard dog will reduce his/her ability to guard. Guarding results from instinctive territorial behaviour... it is not changed by desexing.

I don't want to desex my dog because he will miss his parts. Desexing animals at six months means they do not have a chance to develop mating behaviours. Dogs are an important part of the family, but remember - they are not human!

The final decision is up to you. Desexing can be performed from five to six months of age onwards. Every year many stray and abandoned animals are euthanized at welfare organisations so it is best to desex your family friend to prevent unwanted pets. The vets and nurses in our clinic are always available to discuss this with you.

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