Dog & Cat Desexing Kerrimuir

Our team of experienced Veterinarians at Elgar Road Vet offer professional desexing services for your pet in Kerrimuir 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:-

• • Female dogs have a significantly lower risk of developing mammary tumours and cancer if desexed before their first cycle. 
  • By desexing your female dog or cat, you can avoid the problem of "in heat" cycles and unwanted males coming to your home. 
  • Desexing your pet can prevent unwanted litters of kittens or puppies. 
  • Desexing your male dog can prevent cancers related to the sex organs or sex hormone-related tumours of the anus. 
  • If you desex your pet, you can prevent the occurrence of life-threatening infections of the womb (pyometra) in female dogs and prostatic enlargement or infections in male dogs. 
  • By desexing your male cat, you can avoid the problem 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 eliminate the significant risk of them trying to escape to mate and potentially being injured, killed, or going missing, especially for male cats. 
  • 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:-

Will my pet’s personality change?

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. 

Can I spay my pet while it is on heat?

Spaying a female dog while she is on heat is not recommended due to the increased risk of bleeding. However, we may make exceptions for female cats, as they have a longer period of being on heat. For further information, please contact us. 

Will my pet gain weight?

Desexing does not cause obesity, as overfeeding is the primary cause of obesity in pets. However, there may be changes in your pet's dietary requirements after desexing, and they may need to be fed less than before, depending on their age, breed, and activity level. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us. 

Will it decrease aggression in my male dog?

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. 

Should my female pet have have a litter?

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. 

When can I make a booking?

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 chance of post-surgery infection, please clean your dog before their surgery day. Keep in mind that after the surgery, your dog cannot be washed until 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.

After the anaesthetic, please ensure that your pet is kept warm and sheltered from the weather. 

Please ensure your pet only receives a small meal (half serve) for dinner. Access to water should be provided at all times. 

To avoid wound breakdown and swelling, please limit your pet's exercise for around 10 days following surgery. 

To prevent your pet from licking or chewing their stitches or surgery site, they may need to wear an Elizabeth collar. This is especially important as the site needs time to heal. We also offer a product with a bitter taste 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 Kerrimuir.