It's hard to believe how quickly Archie is growing up. Almost overnight he started showing signs of sexual development such as urine marking. I was not going to breed from him so there was no reason for me to keep him entire and I certainly dont need unecessary testosterone flowing in my house. Archie's operation went smoothly and within 24hours he was bounding around like he always was, despite me trying to keep him relatively quiet for a few days.
WHY DESEX?
Every year throughout Australia we still see many thousands of unwanted kittens and puppies euthanased as a result of people not desexing their pets. Unless you are a dedicated, registered dog or cat breeder, desexing your pet is the best way you can help promote responsible pet ownership by reducing unwanted litters as well as setting your pet on the path to becoming good canine or feline citizen.
Apart from population control, desexing your pet provides them with health and behavioural benefits too ( see below).
Desexing (or neutering) is the most common surgical procedure performed on companion animals in Australia.
WHAT AGE? While traditionally vets recommended six months of age, these days desexing is done routinely in animals from 12 weeks (and sometimes as young as 7 or 8 weeks). With advances in anaesthetics and surgical techniques, and studies which show no adverse health effects of early age desexing, paediatric (puppy/kitten) desexing has become recognized as a safe procedure.
MALES
In males, the surgery is called CASTRATION and involves removal of both testicles. This stops the production of sperm and greatly reduces the amount of circulating testosterone in the body. The scrotum generally remains intact.
Benefits
- reduction in inter-dog aggression
- reduced tendency to roam (looking for females in heat)
- reduced mounting and urine marking behaviour
- eliminates risk of testicular cancer (particularly a problem in males where one or both testicles have not descended and remain within the abdomen)
FEMALES
In females, the surgery is called SPEYING. This usually involves remove of both ovaries and the uterus (an ovariohysterectomy) through a small abdominal incision, resulting in absence of reproductive cycling and the inability to have puppies or kittens. It is generally recommended not to desex females when in season, due to the increased risk associated with higher blood flow to the reproductive organs.
Benefits
- eliminates the risk of unwanted pregnancies
- absence of cycling means no heat periods (messy discharge, male dogs hanging around, behaviour changes in the bitch or queen)
- reduces the risk of mammary cancer – in this case the risk is significantly lowered by desexing early before sexual maturity
In most cases, the procedure will involve a day-stay in hospital for your pet (don’t forget no breakfast is to be given on the morning of the operation, unless otherwise advised by your vet). Most pets (except male cats) will have skin stitches which must stay in place for 10-14 days after surgery – it is important that your pet does not lick at these. An Elizabethan collar (head bucket) may be needed if they do. Restricted exercise levels are recommended until the stitches are removed, to give time for the body to heal, and no baths or swimming are allowed either.
In both sexes a small tattoo to signify the procedure has been done is placed on the inside of the left ear at the time of surgery.