Desexing

Desexing is a routine operation performed by the veterinarian to remove your pet's sex organs. Desexing can help calm your pet's behaviour and may even contribute to a longer life.

Dogs

Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus from female dogs. It is a major surgical procedure involving a general anaesthetic. Spaying should be done before their first heat cycle (6 months). The operation will eliminate heat cycles and might contribute to longer life for your pet by reducing or eliminating the chance of certain health problems such as mammary cancer.

If you choose not to spay your female dog, when she is in season you will need to keep her confined (approx 3 weeks). An unspayed pet has an increased risk of uterine infection, mammary tumors and other health problems. They may also display unusual behaviour and wanderlust during their heat cycle.

Neutering of male dogs is the surgical removal of the testicles, also known as castration. Castration is also a surgical procedure that requires general anaesthic. The best age for neutering is before the dog is fully mature, at around 6 months of age.

Neutering can help calm your pet, make him less likely to roam and reduce his risk of developing prostate infections or prostate cancer.

Cats

Desexing makes your cat unable to reproduce and stops the production of hormones that are responsible for the cat's sexual behaviour. Unless you plan to breed your cat, deciding whether to desex or not is one of the most important decisions a new cat owner will have to face. The procedure for male cats is called neutering or castration and for females, spaying.

A queen can produce up to four litters a year and when in season they become very restless and vocal. If they are frustrated enough because they are not let outside, they may spray urine attracting tom cats for miles. Male cats tend to spray urine which has a very unpleasant smell. They wander and may become involved in more fights with other cats, perhaps over a queen in heat or because they tend to wander more away from home, increasing their chances of being involved in an accident of some sort.