Also known as neutering, desexing is a procedure that stops your pet from being able to reproduce. Desexing is a critical tool in reducing the number of strays and unwanted animals in the community. Commonly referred to as ‘castration’ for males and a ‘spey’ for females, desexing involves a single day in the hospital with no overnight stay required.
Most animals are desexed from the ages of four to six months and onwards, but this depends on the pet. Cats are most commonly desexed from four months of age, while larger dogs benefit from delaying desexing until fully grown. Our surgical veterinary team can help you decide on the best age to desex your pet.
Why Desex?
In addition to population control, desexing has behavioural and health benefits. For dogs, aggression, fighting and roaming behaviours are reduced. For cats, spraying, roaming and fighting are reduced in toms and calling behaviours are eliminated in queens.
Health benefits involve the reduction of mammary, ovarian and uterine tumours and infections in females and a minimised risk of prostatic disease, testicular tumours and perineal hernias in males.
Contact us today to find out more about animal desexing.