Advantages Of Desexing

• Desexed dogs and cat generally live longer and happier lives.
• The hormones produced by the ovaries during a season or heat, have an effect on the uterus and mammary tissue. The more seasons she has, the more effect the hormones have on these tissues. This can lead to an infected uterus (pyometron), as well as mammary tumours (cancer) in older dogs and cats.
• No unwanted pregnancies occur, greatly reducing the number of unwanted puppies and kittens each year.

The Desexing Operation

• In both dogs and cats, an ovariohysterectomy is performed, which involves removing both ovaries and the whole uterus.
• Although this is a routine procedure, it in major surgery and does carry a small risk, as does any surgery where the animal has a general anaesthetic. The younger the animal, the more likely they are to recovery quickly and safely from the anaesthetic.
• We use an anaesthetic gas which is also used in human surgery, and is the safest available at the present time.
• A trained Veterinary Nurse will monitor your pet at all times and every precaution is taken to make sure the surgery is safe and uneventful.

Will Desexing Make My Pet Overweight?

Desexing will reduce an animal's metabolic rate, which can lead to a dog or cat putting on weight. However, reducing the amount of food the animal is fed and making sure that they continue to exercise will reduce the problem of weight gain.

When Is The Best Time To Get My Pet Desexed?

We recommend desexing at five to six months of age in most female dogs and cats, BEFORE they come into season.

Can You Desex My Pet If She Is In Season?

YES! There is a greater blood supply to the ovaries and uterus while the animal is in season, therefore the surgery will take slightly longer and be most difficult to perform. For this reason, there is a slightly increased cost for the desexing surgery while the female is in season.

Can I Wait Until My Pet Is Out Of Season?

YES! But the hormones which act upon the uterus while in season mean that the uterus does not go back to its normal size for about six weeks. Remember that your pet could fall pregnant during this time.

Can You Desex My Pet If She Is Pregnant?

YES! The stage of pregnancy will determine if additional things need to be performed, such as intravenous fluids or blood tests. The veterinarian can discuss this with you prior to admission to hospital.

What Do I Do Next?

• Contact Coreen Avenue Vets or Western Sydney Cat Hospital to book an appointment time and day. We only need a few days notice to book your dog or cat in for a desexing operation. Desexing can be performed Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays.
• You can drop your pet off either the night before, or the morning of surgery as long as you can withhold ALL food from her that morning.
• Think about whether you would like to have pre-anaesthetic blood test or a heartworm test done prior to surgery.
• Sutures will need to be removed ten days after surgery.