Dog & Cat Desexing Kew
At Elgar Road Vet, our team of skilled Veterinarians provides top-quality desexing options for your pet in Kew and nearby areas. We believe that desexing is important 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 prior to their first cycle greatly 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.
- Desexing your pet can eliminate the issue of unwanted litters of kittens or puppies.
- By desexing your male dog, you can avoid the risk of 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.
- Desexing your pet can eliminate the problem 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.
- Desexing your pet can enhance their chances of having a longer and healthier life.
- Desexing your pet can result in reduced council fees.
Common questions we are asked include:-
Will my pet’s personality change?
Desexing your pet will not 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?
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.
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?
While desexing can reduce aggression in male dogs, it's essential to understand that training may be required to manage any behavioural problems. It's also important to note that desexing may not have the same effect on aggression in female dogs.
Should my female pet have have a litter?
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.
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.
Unless pre-arranged with our staff, we request that your pet is dropped off to the clinic between 8 and 9 AM on the day of surgery.
After the surgery.
Make sure your pet is warm and protected from the weather after the anaesthetic.
It is important to provide your pet with a small meal (half serve) for dinner after the surgery. Make sure that they have free access to water at all times.
To avoid wound breakdown and swelling, please limit your pet's exercise for around 10 days following surgery.
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.
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 Kew.