Deciding on whether to have your pet desexed or not is a question that every pet parent asks.

At Harbourside Vet Care we do recommend that all pets be desexed. Not only are there many health benefits but having your pet desexed also decreases the number of unwanted puppies and kittens that find themselves homeless or in shelters across Australia. 

In South Australia desexing is a mandatory requirement unless you are a registered breeder

Surgical desexing involves removal of part of a pet’s reproductive organ whilst under a general anaesthetic. In female desexing (also known as spaying or an ovarian hysterectomy) this involves removing the ovaries and uterus. In male desexing (also known as castration or neutering)

this involves the removal of both testicles.

In female dogs, desexing automatically stops their cycles and the associated bleeding and attention from male dogs that result in pregnancy.

Castration in males can aid in controlling some behavioural related issues. In dogs it can prevent aggression problems and wandering instincts which are characteristic of ‘pack’ animals that

need to seek other dogs' company. It is in fact kinder to desex your male pet to stop the ‘hormonal’ need to wander and find a mate. In male cats it can reduce the tendency to roam and

fight which often leads to cat bite abscesses and related complications.

In both cats and dogs, male urine odour can be particularly strong and pungent. 

Desexing usually prevents this odour plus in most cases desexing will reduce or eliminate spraying in cats.

There are also significant medical benefits for desexing your pet. In females, desexing (also known as spaying) reduces the risk of mammary tumours, and eliminates the risk of tumours in the ovaries, uterus and cervix, and prevents other medical conditions such as pyometra.

In males, desexing (which is also knows as neutering), reduces the risk of prostatic diseases, perianal tumours and eliminates the risk of testicular cancers.

The correct age for desexing can vary depending on the breed and size of your pet and your lifestyle. The current recommended age for desexing a dog or cat is 6 months, however at Harbourside Vet Care we believe that each of our patients is unique and the decision of when to desex your pet should be made in partnership with your vet.

Staying at home with them is not necessary as long as they have somewhere warm and comfortable to stay. However, if you are considering making special plans to be with your pet, we suggest you take the day off after surgery rather than the day of surgery

Once your pet has been admitted to our hospital, we will perform a health check and administer a sedative and pain relief pre-med before the surgery, this will help your pet to relax and improve the quality of recovery after the procedure. Your pet will be treated as if they are our own. Not only will our veterinary nurses continue to monitor throughout the recovery process, they will also give your pet the attention (and cuddles of course) they deserve.