Should I get my pet Desexed?
Having second thoughts on whether to desex your pet or not? Here at Ipswich Family Veterinary Clinic will highly recommend that all pets are desexed. Not only are there a number of 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.
What is desexing?
Desexing is a surgical procedure that involves removing part of a pets reproductive system whilst under a general anesthetic. When desexing females, it is also known as spaying or an ovariohysterectomy, this involves removing the ovaries and uterus. When desexing males, it is also known as castration or neutering, this involves removing both testicles.
Why you should desex your pet
Our Veterinarians recommend that you desex your pet for a numerous amount of benefits. Do you ever go to animal shelters and think you just want to adopt them all? Well all around Australia, millions of dogs and cats are destroyed at animal shelters every year and hopefully await a forever home! If you desex your pets this is stop unwanted pregnancies and prevent the shelters from being run down each and every day with an over flow of animals coming through the doors.
Desexing helps to control several behavioral 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 would be kinder of you to desex your pet to stop the hormonal need to wander and find a mate. With male cats it can reduce the tendency to roam and fight which will often lead to cat bite abscesses and other related complications.
In both cats and dogs, male urine odor can be particularly strong and pungent, desexing usually prevents this odor plus in most cases desexing will reduce or eliminate spraying in cats.
There are also medical benefits such as in females, it reduces the risk of mammary tumors, and eliminates the risk of tumors in the ovaries, uterus and cervix and prevents other medical conditions such as pyometra. With males this will reduce the risk of prostatic diseases, perianal tumors, and eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.
What age can your pet be desexed you ask?
Well here at Ipswich Family Vet Clinic we recommend desexing anytime usually around 4-6 months of age. The benefits of desexing as explained have more effect if carried out when the pet is of a young age. However this procedure can be performed at any age.
Heard a few rumors and myths about desexing?
Rumour: Bitches and Queens will make better pets if they have a litter before desexing or Females should have a littler before being desexed
Our Answer: Wrong! There is no evidence to support this commonly heard tale. This will not benefit your pets health either, spaying before she has her first heat will reduce the risk of mammary cancer to next to nil. Every season/heat a female has, significantly increases her chance of developing mammary cancer.
Rumour: Desexing my pet will make him/her fat
Our Answer: By removing organs that produce hormones, your pet metabolism may be slowed. After desexing your pet usually requires less food to maintain body weight so as a pet owner you will need to make sure you aren't over feeding your pet and also make sure your pet is getting daily exercise.
Rumour: I don't want to castrate him because he will loss his manhood
Our Answer: Dogs are a very important part of our families but please remember they are not human at the end of the day, and you need to make sure that you are doing the right thing by them in regards to their long and healthy lives. Trust us when we tell you that he will not "miss" them after being castrated. Castrating your pet will reduce so many issues such as; testicular tumours, prostate diseases, perineal hernias, perianal adenomas, agression/behavioral problems, wandering and territorial issues.