Why Desex?
In male animals, desexing can reduce behaviours such as aggression, territorial marking, roaming and other unwanted behaviours. It can also lessen the risk of certain cancers as well as eliminating testicular cancer. Desexing also prevents unwanted litters.
In females desexing prevents phantom pregnancies as well as lowering the risk of uterine infections, mammary gland and uterine cancers. It also reduces the mess and the hassle that comes from a female being in season and reduces the risk of a variety of potentially fatal diseases later in life.
Getting your pet desexed
Your pet will need to be brought in early after having been fasted since the previous evening. They will undergo a full physical and possibly undergo a blood test to determine their suitability for undergoing general anaesthesia. They received gas anaesthetic and are put on IV fluids during and post-surgery. Your pet will be on a special warming device during and after surgery and are monitored by dedicated nurses to ensure recovery goes smoothly. You will be notified of completion of the surgery once your pet is in recovery and stable. Pets will also receive a 24 hour pain relief shot so they remain comfortable and pain free after surgery. You will be supplied with a certificate of sterilization. In most cases your pet will go home the same day, but may occasionally be kept overnight for observation.
Once you have taken your pet home, you need to keep them calm, warm and as relaxed as possible for up to 2 days after surgery. There may be shaved patches on the body where blood samples were taken or intravenous fluids were administered via a catheter. There is also likely to be sutures which should be kept clean and dry for the next 10 days. These will be removed at your follow up visit, 10 days after the surgery. You can give your pet food and water but they may be nauseous after the surgery. In case of vomiting, remove the food and offer again the following day. Any bleeding or severe swelling should be checked by your vet as soon as possible.