At Box Hill Veterinary Clinic, we offer both castration and spaying desexing procedures for dogs and cats. Not only do we recommend desexing to minimise the possibility of unwanted puppies or kittens, but it may also reduce the risk of health problems in your pet.

 

If you would like any advice on our desexing services for your pet, contact Box Hill Veterinary Clinic now, or read our FAQ’s for more information on whether a desexing procedure is suitable for your pet.

 

Desexing FAQ’s

 

What is meant by castration?

 

In this operation, which is performed under general anaesthetic; both testicles are removed, thus removing the source of sperm.

 

Why should I consider castrating my dog or cat?

 

There are many advantages to castrating your pet, including:

 

• A desexed pet (male or female) will not produce unwanted litter

• Dogs usually become more placid while cats often become more homely after castration as they are less likely to wander

• It reduces the incidences of problems occurring in the prostate gland, perineal hernias, tumours of the testicles, and hormone-related tumours

 

At what age should my pet be castrated?

 

We recommend that this operation takes place at 6 months of age. If your pet has been used for breeding and you now want him desexed, there is no problem with performing the operation on older animals.

 

What is meant by spaying?

 

Spaying, or desexing, is the term applied to the operation in which the ovaries and uterus are removed from your female dog or cat.

 

Should my female dog or cat be spayed?

 

Here are some of the advantages of having your pet spayed:

 

• Desexing prevents your female pet coming into season, which can at times occur every three weeks

• Desexing avoids unwanted litters of kittens or puppies

• Spaying greatly reduces the likelihood of health problems in pets, such as breast cancer

 

At what age should she be desexed?

 

The female dog will come into heat anytime from 6 months of age onwards, depending on the size of the dog. Small breeds usually come on heat at about six months of age, while larger breeds may not start until nine to ten months of age. We recommend that the desexing operation take place at 6 months of age regardless of the breed.

 

We recommend that a female cat is desexed at six months of age, usually prior to her first heat.

 

How long does recovery take?

 

It usually doesn't take long, most pets are completely back to normal within a couple of days after the surgery. When you take your dog or cat home from our veterinary hospital, it is best to keep your pet confined indoors to restrict their activity.

 

Myths about De Sexing

 

"My dog will become fat" - this is not true unless you don't exercise your pet and if you over feed it.

 

"My dog will become passive" - your dog will continue to develop its guarding instincts.

 

"We should let my dog/cat go through one heat cycle (oestrous)" - not true, in fact, they will be less at risk of mammary cancer if they are desexed before the first heat (oestrous).