Dog & Cat Desexing Canterbury
Elgar Road Vet proudly offer expert animal and pet desexing services to the local Box Hill and Canterbury community
Our experienced Veterinarians offer expert desexing services for your pet in Canterburyand surrounding areas. At Elgar Road Vet, we highly recommend desexing for all pet cats and dogs.
When should I have my pet desexed?
Although it's recommended to desex your pet at around 5 to 6 months of age, younger pets can also undergo the procedure. However, it involves greater risks. Regardless of age, there are many advantages to desexing your pet.
The advantages to desexing include:-
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- Desexing female dogs before their first cycle significantly reduces their risk of developing mammary tumours and cancer.
- Desexing your female dog or cat can eliminate the issue of "in heat" cycles and the possibility of attracting unwanted males to your home.
- By desexing your pet, you can avoid the problem of unwanted litters of kittens or puppies.
- If you desex your male dog, you can prevent the occurrence of cancers related to the sex organs or sex hormone-related tumours of the anus.
- Desexing your pet can prevent life-threatening infections of the womb (pyometra) in female dogs and prostatic enlargement or infections in male dogs.
- Desexing your male cat can decrease the risk of urine marking and spraying.
- By desexing your pet, you can avoid the issue of antisocial behaviour and aggression, especially in male animals.
- Desexing your pet can reduce the risk of them trying to escape to mate and potentially being injured, killed, or going missing.
- Desexing your pet can eliminate the risk of fighting with other animals of the same sex and species, especially male cats.
- By desexing your pet, you can increase their chances of having a longer and healthier life.
- By desexing your pet, you be eligible for reduced council fees.
Common questions we are asked include:
Desexing your pet won't affect their personality, but it can decrease aggression in male animals. Your male dog is likely to behave better around other male dogs and male cats are less likely to fight. Male animals can also become friendlier toward their owners, especially male cats. All pets are less likely to try to escape and roam. The guarding instinct is retained, so your dog will continue to guard you and your house.
It is not recommended to spay a female dog while she is on heat as it may increase the risk of bleeding. However, in the case of female cats, due to their long period of being on heat, we may make exceptions. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please note that overfeeding, not desexing, is the main cause of obesity in pets. After desexing, your pet's dietary requirements may change, and they may need to be fed less, depending on their breed, age, and activity level. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
It's important to remember that desexing can decrease aggression in male dogs, but training may still be necessary to manage behavioural issues. It's also important to note that desexing may not have the same impact on aggression in female dogs.
In Australia, having a litter does not change your cat or dog's personality or make them happier. Unwanted kittens and puppies are often euthanised, so we do not encourage new litters unless they are wanted and can be cared for properly. Early desexing also helps reduce the risk of mammary tumours in female dogs.
We conduct desexing surgeries on weekdays. The surgery cost includes anaesthesia, hospitalisation, the procedure, and pain relief for the day. Additional fees are charged for IV fluids on the day.
What to do before the surgery.
For a lower risk of post-surgery infection, please make sure to wash your dog before their surgery day. Please remember that after the surgery, your dog cannot be washed until the stitches are removed.
The evening prior to surgery, feed your pet their dinner and avoid giving them any food after 10 PM. Water should be accessible to them at all times.
Please drop off your pet at the clinic between 8 and 9 AM on the day of surgery unless otherwise arranged with our staff.
After the surgery.
It is important to keep your pet warm and sheltered from the weather after the anaesthetic.
We recommend giving your pet a small meal (half serve) for dinner after the surgery. Please ensure that they have access to water at all times.
Reducing your pet's exercise for approximately 10 days after surgery can help prevent wound breakdown and swelling.
It's important that your pet doesn't lick or chew at their stitches or surgery site. Your pet may need to wear an Elizabeth collar (a cone-shaped headpiece) to prevent them from doing so. We also offer a bitter-tasting product to discourage licking.
After the surgery, your pet will have a small bandage where the anesthetic was injected. You may take it off 1-2 hours after bringing your pet home.
Make sure to finish all medication as instructed by our staff.
Twice daily checks of your pet's wound are recommended to ensure it appears clean and dry with little swelling and redness. Please contact the clinic if you notice excessive swelling, redness or discharge.
Please contact or call us (03) 9899 9518 if you would like further information about our desexing options for your pet near Canterbury.