Dog & Cat Desexing Mont Albert
Elgar Road Vet proudly offer expert animal and pet desexing services to the local Box Hill and Mont Albert community
At Elgar Road Vet, our team of experienced Veterinarians provides expert desexing options for your pet in Mont Albert and the neighbouring areas. We recommend desexing for all pet cats and dogs.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- If you desex your male cat, you can prevent the occurrence 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 reduce 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.
- Desexing your pet can lead to 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.
Spaying a female dog while on heat may not be safe as it can increase the risk of bleeding. Exceptions can be made for female cats due to their long period of being on heat. Feel free to contact us for more information.
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.
While desexing can help reduce aggression in male dogs, it's crucial to remember that training may also be necessary to manage any behavioural concerns. Additionally, it's worth noting that desexing may not have the same effect on 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.
You can book an appointment for desexing surgeries on weekdays. The cost of the surgery covers anaesthesia, hospital stay, the procedure, and pain relief for the day. Additional charges apply for intravenous 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.
To ensure the smooth running of the day's schedule, we kindly request that you drop off your pet between 8 and 9 AM on the day of surgery unless previously arranged with our staff.
After the surgery.
It is important to keep your pet warm and sheltered from the weather after the anaesthetic.
Please ensure your pet only receives a small meal (half serve) for dinner. Access to water should be provided at all times.
Your pet should have limited exercise for about 10 days after surgery to prevent wound breakdown and swelling.
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.
Please complete the full course of medication as directed.
We advise checking your pet's wound twice a day to make sure it is clean and dry with minimal swelling and redness. If you notice excessive swelling, redness or discharge, please contact the clinic immediately.
Please contact or call us (03) 9899 9518 if you would like further information about our desexing options for your pet near Mont Albert.