Surgery
From standard desexing to orthopaedics, dental and emergency surgery, we provide you with all the information and expertise you need to make the best decision for your pet.
Our Surgical Services
Desexing
Dentistry & Teeth Cleaning
Lump & Tumour Removal
Soft Tissue Surgery
Opthalmic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
Specialist Surgery Services
Penn Hip
Desexing
Desexing, or neutering, is a surgical procedure that prevents pets from reproducing. Our vets perform this procedure regularly—“castration” for males and “spaying” for females. Most pets go home the same day after surgery.
We usually recommend desexing between 4 and 6 months of age, but it’s never too late to desex your pet.
Desexing Guide
Although pets can be desexed at any age, there are several benefits to completing this procedure before 6 months of age.
Desexing your pet has many important benefits, including:
Preventing unwanted litters, which can be expensive and contribute to the high number of stray animals euthanised each year
Protecting males from testicular cancer and prostate disease
Reducing the risk of pyometra (uterine infection) and mammary tumours in females
Stopping the “heat” cycle in females
Reducing aggressive behaviour, especially in males
Lowering the urge to roam, helping to keep your pet safe
Supporting a longer, healthier life
Reducing council registration fees
Let me know if you’d like a version with more friendly or simplified wording for pet owners.
Book your pet’s surgery today.
- If your pet is a dog, wash them the day before surgery, as they cannot be bathed for 14 days afterward.
- Avoid feeding your pet after 8pm the night before surgery; water is fine.
- A blood test may be done before surgery to check vital organ function.
- The vet will conduct a thorough physical exam before administering anaesthesia.
- Some pets may need intravenous fluids during surgery. We’ll discuss this with you beforehand.
- To ensure your pet’s comfort, we provide pain relief before surgery and additional pain relief for aftercare.
Keep your pet restrained and quiet as the effects of anaesthetic can take some time to wear off completely.
Keeping them quiet is also essential to allow the wound to heal.
Food and water should be limited to small portions only on the night after surgery.
Follow any dietary instructions that the vet has provided.
Ensure all post-surgical medications (if any) are administered as per the label instructions.
Ensure your pet’s rest area is clean to avoid infection.
Check the incision at least twice daily for any signs of infection or disruption (eg. bleeding, swelling, redness or discharge). Contact the vet immediately if these symptoms appear. Do not wait to see if they will spontaneously resolve.
Prevent your pet from excessively licking or chewing the wound. Special cone-shaped collars assist with this problem if needed.
Common Desexing Questions
Your pet will retain their pre-operation personality, possibly with the added bonus of being calmer and less aggressive.
No – it is actually better for her not to have any litters before being spayed.Her risk of developing breast cancer increases if she is allowed to go through her first heat.
Your pet’s metabolism may be slowed due to hormonal changes after desexing,however this is easily managed with adjusting feeding and ensuring adequate exercise. There is no reason a desexed pet cannot be maintained at a normal weight.
As with all surgery, there is some tenderness immediately after the procedure, but most pets will recover very quickly. We administer pain relief prior to surgery and after surgery too. Your pet will be discharged with a short course of pain relief medication to take at home for the first few days after the surgery. In many cases, your pet will likely need some encouragement to take it easy!
No, your dog will be just as protective of their territory as before the surgery.
