Dog & Cat Desexing Donvale
Elgar Road Vet proudly offer expert animal and pet desexing services to the local Box Hill and Donvale community
Our team of experienced Veterinarians at Elgar Road Vet offer professional desexing services for your pet in Donvale and the surrounding areas. We strongly recommend that all pet cats and dogs be desexed.
When should I have my pet desexed?
We recommend desexing your pet at around 5 to 6 months of age. While younger pets can also be desexed, there are more risks involved. Even if your pet is already an adult, there are still significant benefits to desexing.
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 prevent unwanted "in heat" cycles and eliminate the risk of attracting unwanted males to your home.
- By desexing your pet, you can avoid the problem of unwanted litters of kittens or puppies.
- Desexing your male dog can eliminate the possibility of cancers related to the sex organs or sex hormone-related tumours of the anus.
- Desexing your pet can eliminate the possibility of life-threatening infections of the womb (pyometra) in female dogs and prostatic enlargement or infections in male dogs.
- Desexing your male cat can eliminate the issue of urine marking and spraying, especially in male cats.
- If you desex your pet, you can prevent the occurrence of antisocial behaviour and aggression, especially in male animals.
- If you desex your pet, you can prevent the occurrence of them trying to escape to mate and potentially being injured, killed, or going missing.
- If you desex your pet, you can prevent the occurrence 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:
If you desex your pet, their personality will remain the same, 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.
While it is not advised to spay a female dog while she is on heat due to increased bleeding risk, exceptions may be made for female cats given their long period of being on heat. Please get in touch with us for more details.
It's important to understand that overfeeding is the primary cause of pet obesity, not desexing. After desexing, your pet's dietary needs may change, and they may require less food than before, depending on their age, breed, and activity level. For more information, please contact us.
Desexing can decrease aggression in male dogs but it's important to note that training may also be needed to address any behavioural issues. It's worth noting that desexing may not be as effective in changing aggression in female dogs.
In Australia, having a litter does not improve your cat or dog's personality or happiness. Unwanted kittens and puppies are still put down, so it is not recommended to have litters unless they are wanted and can be cared for. Early desexing also reduces the risk of mammary tumours in female dogs.
Desexing surgeries are available on weekdays. The cost of the surgery includes anaesthesia, hospitalisation, the procedure, and pain relief for the day. Additional fees apply for intravenous 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.
Give your pet their last meal the night before surgery and do not offer any more food after 10 PM. Ensure that they always have access to water.
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.
After the anaesthetic, please ensure that your pet is kept warm and sheltered from the weather.
Make sure to feed your pet only a small dinner (half serve) after the surgery. Your pet should have free access to water at all times.
Reducing your pet's exercise for approximately 10 days after surgery can help prevent wound breakdown and swelling.
Your pet must not lick or chew at their stitches or surgery site, as it may interfere with the healing process. We may suggest the use of an Elizabeth collar to prevent licking, and we also have a product that discourages licking with a bitter taste.
The injection site of the anesthetic will be covered with a small bandage that can be removed 1-2 hours after your pet is discharged.
Please ensure you finish all medication as directed by our staff.
We recommend checking your pet's wound twice a day. It should appear clean and dry, with minimal 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 Donvale.