Dog & Cat Desexing Surrey Hills
Elgar Road Vet proudly offer expert animal and pet desexing services to the local Box Hill and Surrey Hills community
At Elgar Road Vet, our team of skilled Veterinarians provides top-quality desexing options for your pet in Surrey Hills and nearby areas. We believe that desexing is important for all pet cats and dogs.
When should I have my pet desexed?
Desexing is typically recommended for pets at around 5 to 6 months of age. Although younger pets can also be desexed, it involves greater risks. Even if your pet is already an adult, there are many advantages to desexing.
The advantages to desexing include:-
-
- Desexing female dogs before their first cycle significantly reduces their risk of developing mammary tumours and cancer.
- If you desex your female dog or cat, you can prevent them from going into heat and attracting unwanted males to your home.
- If you desex your pet, you can prevent the occurrence of unwanted 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.
- 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.
- If you desex your pet, you can prevent the occurrence 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.
- 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 lead to 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.
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.
It's important to note that overfeeding is the main cause of obesity in pets, not desexing. After desexing, there may be a change in your pet's dietary requirements, and they may need to be fed less than before, depending on their breed, age, and activity level. For more information, please feel free to 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 conducted on weekdays. Please get in touch with us to schedule an appointment. The surgery estimate includes anaesthesia, hospitalisation, the procedure, and pain relief on the day. The cost of intravenous fluids on the day is separate.
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.
We ask that you drop off your pet at the clinic between 8 and 9 AM on the day of the surgery, unless you have pre-arranged with our staff.
After the surgery.
After the anaesthetic, please ensure that your pet is kept warm and sheltered from the weather.
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.
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.
Your pet will have a small bandage where the anesthetic was injected. You can remove this 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 Surrey Hills.