What are the advantages of desexing my pet?
In females, prevention of unwanted pregnancies is the 
compelling reason to have the surgery done. Prevention of 
health problems associated with the uterus, ovaries and 
mammary glands is an added bonus.

On the more practical side, seasons are messy. Your bitch will 
drip blood from the vulva for at least one week as well as 
attracting male dogs.  She will become promiscuous and likely to 
attempt escape, even if she has never tried it before.

In males, desexing is primarily performed to reduce the risk of 
aggression and other problematic behaviours that may develop 
as the dog grows to social maturity.  It also reduces the risk of 
prostatic or testicular disease in old age.

Male dogs that are desexed young are more likely to grow into 
contented family members. This applies to both small and large 
breeds.  Entire males may want to dominate. They are less 
amiable and more difficult to control. They are more likely to be 
"backyard houdinis" who escape at every opportunity and more 
likely to pick fights with other dogs, or be dangerously territorial. 

Should I let my bitch have one litter first?
Having a litter of puppies can be a wonderful experience (if you 
and your dog are well prepared for the pregnancy and beyond) 
but is completely unnecessary for your bitch's long term well 
being.  It also involves a major commitment from you.

Should I let my male dog mature first?
Often we are called upon to desex animals in the hope that it 
will "quieten them down", reduce aggression or dominant 
behaviour. Castration will help some of these cases, but in others 
will have little effect.  Once behaviour is entrenched in your 
dog's personality it will not automatically disappear with the loss 
of hormonal influence.  This is why we recommend the surgery 
be done at six months of age.

Will my dog get fat?
Too much food and too little exercise are what make dogs fat.
Desexing can slightly reduce the metabolic rate. This means that 
less food is required to maintain the same body weight.
Desexing does not cause obesity.

What is involved in the surgery?
An ovariohysterectomy (spey) is a major surgical procedure in 
which the uterus and ovaries are removed under general 
anaesthesia. Castration is also performed under full general 
anaesthesia. Both testicles are removed entirely from the 
scrotum.  These procedures are a very familiar procedure for all 
veterinarians and the failure rate, complications and risk factors 
are exceedingly low.

Things you may notice immediately after the surgery:
1. The abdomen or scrotal area will have been shaved for the 
    strict surgical hygiene required. There may also be a patch of 
    hair removed from the foreleg where the intravenous 
    anaesthetic was given.  The hair will re-grow in 6 to 8 weeks.

2. Your dog may be drowsy the evening of the surgery and
    quiet for a few days afterwards.

3. She/he may show no interest in food for 24 hours.

4. The left ear will be tattooed with a small symbol for 
    permanent evidence of the desexing.

Things you must do for your animal after the surgery:
1. Keep her/him inside and warm on the first night after the 
    surgery.

2 . Do not let your dog worry the sutures. This will introduce 
    infection and delay healing.  If necessary an elizabethan 
    collar can be used to prevent licking.

3. Check the wound daily for signs of inflammation or painful 
    swelling. A small amount of soft, non-painful swelling is 
    normal. If you are unsure, telephone the clinic.

4. Keep your dog as quiet as possible for the first five days 
    after the surgery. Strenuous exercise should be avoided until 
    after suture removal.

5. The sutures are removed after 10 days.  Please telephone to 
    make an appointment.

The savings
The cost of desexing is subsidised by this clinic as part of our 
contribution to animal welfare. The operation involves the following:

1 . A fully sterilised surgical kit including instruments, drapes, 
    swabs etc.

2. A pre-anaesthetic examination.

3. General anaesthetic.

4. One veterinarian operating and one trained nurse assisting.

5. Recovery monitoring and hospitalisation.

7. Administrative costs including booking fees, internal records etc.

8. Suture removal.