SERVICES
Desexing
At Riverbank Animal Hospital in South Grafton we routinely desex kittens and puppies at 5-6 months of age and recommend that this is done for all cats and dogs that are not going to be bred from. There are many advantages to desexing, some physiological and some behavioral:
Reduces the number of unwanted puppies and kittens
Proven to reduce the incidence of mammary cancer in females desexed at a young age
Eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer in females
Eliminates the risk of Pyometra in females (a common disease in older entire females that can be fatal).
Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer in males
Reduces the risk of prostate disease in males
Helps to prevent dog to dog aggression
Helps to prevent dominance related behavioral issues
Helps to prevent dogs straying from home
Eliminates the inconvenience of blood spotting in females that are in season.
Reduces the likely hood of pets urine marking (a common problem in entire male cats).
Commonly asked questions:
Will getting my pet desexed change their personality?
No, it will not other than reducing undesirable behaviors such as hyper sexuality, aggression, straying and urine marking.
Will my pet get fat after he/she is desexed?
No, but desexing can reduce a pet’s metabolic rate slightly, therefore you should monitor your pet’s weight during the few months after being desexed and be prepared to cut their food back if they are starting to gain weight. Depending on breed you may have to cut food back after desexing by up to one third.
Will my pet have to stay in hospital over night?
Usually desexing is a day procedure with them being ready to go home between 4-5pm on the day of the operation. Sometimes we recommend an over night stay in certain cases and are happy to keep your pet in over night if you would prefer this (no extra cost).
Will my pet be sore after the operation?
No, we always give all surgical patients pain relief that is tailored to their specific needs.
What will I have to watch for after my pet’s desexing operation?
It is important that your pet is kept warm and quiet after the desexing operation. You must also ensure that they do not lick or scratch at their sutures. A Buster collar can be purchased to prevent them from being able to lick at their sutures. For most pets though this is not a problem.