Animal & Pet Desexing Box Hill

Elgar Road Vet proudly offer expert animal and pet desexing services to the local Box Hill and surrounding communities including Balwyn, Blackburn, Burwood, Burwood East, Doncaster & Doncaster East.

Our team of experienced Veterinarians provide expert desexing options for your pet in Box Hill and surrounding areas. At Elgar Road Vet we recommend that all pet cats & dog be desexed.

When should I have my pet desexed?

Desexing is recommended at approximately 5 to 6months of age. Younger pets can be desexed however there are more risks. If your pet is already an adult there are still significant advantages to desexing.

The advantages to desexing include:-

Substantially decreased risk in female dogs of mammary tumours and cancer if prior to their first cycle.
No unwanted “in heat” cycles where your bitch (female dog) or queen (female cat) may attract unwanted males to your house and no calling by the queen.
No unwanted kittens or puppies.
No cancers from the sex organs or sex hormone related tumours of the anus (male dogs)
No chance of infections of the womb (pyometra) or prostatic enlargement or infections in male dogs. These are life threatening.
Decreased risk of urine marking and spraying especially in male cats.
Decreased antisocial behaviour and aggression especially in males.
Less risk of your pet trying to escape to mate and therefore go missing or being injured or killed on the road. These risks are significant especially for male cats.
Decreased risk of fighting with other animals of the same sex and species, again, especially male cats.
Desexed pets are more likely to live longer and have healthier lives.
Reduced council fees.

Common questions we are asked include:-

Will my pet’s personality change?

Your pet will retain the personality they have developed prior to desexing however desexing often decreases aggression in male animals. Your male dog is likely to be better behaved to other male dogs and male cats are much less likely to fight. We also see male animals become much more friendly towards their owners, especially male cats. All pets are less likely to try and escape and roam. The guarding instinct is retained so your dog will continue to guard you and your house.

Can I spay my pet while it is on heat?

The bitch should not be spayed while on heat due to increased risk of bleeding. Ideally we would avoid spaying an on heat queen, however due to their long period of being on heat we do make exceptions for cats. Please speak to us for further information.

Will my pet gain weight?

Overfeeding causes obesity not desexing. There is often a change in the dietry requirements of pets after desexing. They can often be fed less than prior to desexing but this varies on breed, age, activity level etc. Please speak to us for further information

Will it decrease aggression in my male dog?

Desexing does decrease aggression in male dogs however your dog may need training to help with this behaviour as well as the surgery. Desexing does not tend to be as effective in changing aggression in female dogs.

Should my female pet have have a litter?

Having a litter doesn't change your dog or cat’s personality or make them happier. In Australia we still euthanise unwanted kittens and puppies so we don't want new little lives to come into this world unless they are wanted and can be cared for. Early desexing also decreases the risk of mammary tumours in bitches.

When can I make a booking?

The desexing surgery can be performed any weekday. Please ring us to make an appointment.

The estimate for surgery include the anaesthetic, hospitalisation, the surgery and pain relief on the day. We do recommend intravenous fluids on the day and this is a separate cost.

What to do before the surgery.

Please wash your dog before the day of the surgery if they are dirty. Clean skin reduces the risk of post operative infection and after surgery your dog cannot be washed again until stitches are removed.

Give your pet their evening meal the night before surgery then make sure they have no further access to food after 10 PM. Your pet should have free access to water at all times.

We usually ask for your pet to be dropped off to the clinic between 8 and 9 in the morning of the surgery unless pre-arranged with the staff.

After the surgery.

Please keep your pet warm and out of the weather the evening after the anaesthetic.

Give your pet only a small meal (half serve) for dinner. Water should be available at all times.

Please restrict your pet’s exercise for approximately 10 days as this reduces the risk of wound breakdown and swelling.

Your pet must not lick or chew at the stitches or surgery site. Your pet may need to wear an Elizabeth collar (bucket on the head). We also have a product that has a bitter taste designed to discourage licking.

Where the anaesthetic has been injected will have a small bandage. This can be removed 1 - 2 hours after your pet has gone home.

Please finish all medication as directed.

Check your pet’s wound twice a day. It should look clean and dry, with very little redness and swelling. Please contact the clinic if it is excessively swollen, red or any discharge.

Please contact or call us (03) 9899 9518 if you would like further information about our desexing options for your pet.