Desexing

Desexing, also known as sterilisation, neutering, or speying, is a routine surgical procedure performed to prevent pets from reproducing. At Bohle Veterinary Surgery, desexing forms an important part of preventative healthcare and responsible pet ownership.

Desexing can provide a range of health, behavioural, and welfare benefits for both dogs and cats, while also helping reduce unwanted litters and pet overpopulation.

What Does Desexing Involve?

Female Pets

Female desexing (speying) involves surgical removal of the ovaries and usually the uterus under a general anaesthetic. This prevents pets from coming into season and becoming pregnant.

Male Pets

Male desexing (castration) involves surgical removal of the testicles under a general anaesthetic. This prevents reproduction and may reduce some hormone-driven behaviours.

All desexing procedures performed at Bohle Veterinary Surgery include careful anaesthetic monitoring, pain relief, and post-operative care to help ensure a safe and comfortable recovery.

Benefits of Desexing

Desexing may provide a number of important health and behavioural benefits, including:

Female Pets

  • Prevention of unwanted pregnancies
  • Prevention of pyometra (life-threatening uterine infection)
  • Reduced risk of mammary cancer, especially when performed early
  • Prevention of ovarian and uterine disease
  • Elimination of heat cycles and associated bleeding or behaviours

Male Pets

  • Reduced risk of testicular disease and some prostate conditions
  • Reduced roaming and wandering behaviours
  • Reduced urine marking in some pets
  • Reduced hormone-driven mounting behaviours
  • Lower risk of fighting-related injuries in some animals

Cats

Desexing cats also helps reduce behaviours associated with mating, including spraying, yowling, fighting, and roaming. Desexed cats are generally less likely to wander long distances or become involved in territorial fights.

When Should My Pet Be Desexed? 

The most appropriate age for desexing varies depending on your pet’s species, breed, size, health, and lifestyle.

Traditionally, many pets were desexed around 5–6 months of age, however current veterinary recommendations recognise that the ideal timing may differ between individual animals, particularly in large and giant breed dogs.

Some factors that may influence desexing recommendations include:

  • Breed and expected adult size 
  • Orthopaedic development
  • Behavioural considerations
  • Reproductive disease risks
  • Lifestyle and environment
  • Ability to prevent unintended breeding

Our veterinarians will discuss the most appropriate timing for your individual pet based on current evidence and your pet’s individual needs.

Before Surgery

Prior to surgery:

  • Make a booking for your pet’s procedure
  • Dogs can be bathed the day before surgery, as bathing is not recommended afterwards until healing has occurred
  • Food should be withheld overnight before surgery unless otherwise advised
  • Water is usually allowed until the morning of surgery
  • A thorough physical examination will be performed prior to anaesthesia
  • Pre-anaesthetic blood testing may be recommended to assess organ function and overall health
  • Intravenous fluid therapy and pain relief may also be recommended as part of the procedure

Our team will discuss your pet’s individual anaesthetic and surgical plan with you before the procedure.

Recovery After Desexing

Most pets recover very well following desexing surgery and return home the same day.

After surgery, pets should have:

  • Restricted exercise and activity for 10–14 days
  • Monitoring of the surgical site daily
  • An Elizabethan collar (cone) or recovery suit to prevent licking
  • Medications given as directed
  • Follow-up appointments if required

Food should be offered in small portions on the night of surgery, and pets should be kept quiet while the effects of anaesthesia fully wear off.

It is important to check the surgical site daily for swelling, redness, discharge, bleeding, or signs of discomfort. Preventing licking or chewing is essential, as even a small amount of interference can damage the wound and delay healing.

Cats recovering from desexing should be kept indoors and confined during healing, while dogs should avoid running, jumping, swimming, or rough play until fully recovered.

Are There Risks Associated With Desexing?

Desexing is one of the most commonly performed veterinary surgical procedures and is generally very safe. As with any surgery or anaesthetic, there are some risks involved, however complications are uncommon.

Current research suggests desexing recommendations should be individualised, particularly for some large and giant breed dogs where growth and joint development may be considerations. This is why we tailor our recommendations to each pet rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Weight gain can also occur after desexing if calorie intake is not adjusted appropriately, however this can usually be managed successfully with proper diet and exercise.

Responsible Pet Ownership

Desexing plays an important role in reducing unwanted litters, shelter overpopulation, and preventable animal suffering. It also allows owners to focus on providing the best possible lifelong care for their pets.

If you would like to discuss desexing or determine the best timing for your dog or cat, contact Bohle Veterinary Surgery to arrange an appointment with our team.