Pet Desexing - Eltham Veterinary Practice

What is Desexing?

Surgical desexing involves removal of part of a pet’s reproductive system whilst under a general anaesthetic. In females, desexing is also known as speying or an ovarian hysterectomy and involves removing the ovaries and uterus. In males, desexing is also known as castration or neutering and involves the removal of both testicles.

Deciding to Have Your Pet Desexed

Deciding on whether to have your pet desexed is a question that every pet parent asks. At Eltham Veterinary Practice we recommend that all pets not intended for breeding be desexed. Not only are there a number of health benefits but having your pet desexed also decreases the potential for unwanted puppies and kittens.

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Why We Recommend Desexing

Veterinarians recommend desexing to prevent unwanted pregnancies in females and to stop millions of dogs and cats being destroyed at animal shelters every year. Desexing is especially important for cats, as it is not always possible to tell when a female is in season. In female dogs, desexing automatically stops their cycles and the associated bleeding and attention from male dogs that result in pregnancy.

Castration in male pets helps to control several behavioural related issues. In dogs it can prevent aggression problems and wandering instincts. 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.

What is Included in the Cost of Desexing?

We believe in a high standard of care for your pets. Our desexing cost includes more than just the cost of the surgery. Our desexing cost includes;

All our animals are placed on a drip to maintain their blood pressure throughout the anaesthetic.
All our animals are placed on a drip to maintain their blood pressure throughout the anaesthetic.
We take the opportunity to clip your pets nails and check their ears, as these are procedures most pets find uncomfortable when awake.
We check your pets for retained baby teeth, extra dew claws and hip laxity.
We use buried sutures so you don’t need to worry about your pet removing them, and there is usually no need for an Elizabethan collar on your pet post-operatively (which we realise are horribly awkward and uncomfortable for both you and your pet).
Pain relief to keep your pet comfortable at home.
A free revisit consultation 14 days post operatively to check the surgery site but also to answer any questions you may have.

Your Pet’s Care in Our Hospital

Once your pet has been admitted to our ward, we will perform a health check, take blood and administer a sedative, this will help your pet to relax. After surgery your pet will recover on a heating pad, accompanied by hygienic, dry and fluffy bedding. 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.