Desexing or Neutering your Pet
Desexing
There is ongoing discussion about the benefits and risks of desexing male and female dogs. Wherever you look you will find differing opinions as to whether the surgery should be done and when.
Our general advice is to let pups mature until at least six months of age before desexing. An adolescent check at that age is an excellent opportunity to discuss this important decision with the veterinarian when you visit Ripponlea Veterinary Hospital.
The government encourages you to desex your dog by charging much higher registration rates for entire dogs. This is due to their concerns that high numbers of un-neutered pets leads to high numbers of unplanned pregnancies and unwanted puppies. For the team at Ripponlea Veterinary Hospital our advice is based firmly on your pet’s welfare.
For both sexes weight gain after desexing is a concern. Desexing changes a pet’s metabolic rate and they use their food more efficiently. Also, around the time of desexing a puppy’s growth rate is slowing down. Adjusting the diet and weight monitoring is needed for a few months until they settle into a healthy adult weight range. Our scales are always available for weight checks, and we guarantee a treat each time your pup sits on the scales.
Research has suggested that for male large breed dogs there may be an increased risk of cruciate ligament injuries in dogs desexed before skeletal maturity. This may be a reason to delay desexing, but is always balanced with considerations of behaviour and lifestyle.
Desexed male dogs have a markedly reduced incidence of prostate disease in later lite and will not suffer from testicular cancers.
Female dogs have a season twice yearly, where they bleed and become attractive to males. Their behaviour changes and they may try to escape to find a mate. This can be hard to manage and so desexing is often recommended before the first season. For dogs desexed early there is an increased risk of incontinence in later life, which requires medication to manage.
Desexed female dogs do not have problems with womb infections of pseudo-pregnancies and have a reduced risk of breast cancer in later life.
Anaesthetic and Surgical Risks of Desexing
There is a small risk associated with any anaesthetic or surgical procedure. At Ripponlea Veterinary Hospital, an ASAV accredited hospital of excellence, we have developed and routinely revise and refine our surgical and anaesthetic protocols to minimise risk to our patients.
After surgery complications such as minor wound swelling and breakdown generally occur because our patients don’t follow their post surgical treatment plan, that is to rest and not lick their wounds. While this sounds simple, our pain control in many patients is so good that the next day they assume they can run, jump and play as normal. This is where you come in, providing a quiet, calm environment for the week after surgery. To prevent licking we strongly recommend a collar be used, although we recognize this can be a bit of a trial for everyone.
ASAV Accreditation
In October 2022 Ripponlea Veterinary Hospital gained accreditation as a ASAV hospital of excellence. This scheme recognises companion animal practices that achieve high levels of quality healthcare and practice management in innovative, state-of-the-art hospitals. Our hospital facilities, anaesthetic and surgical protocols were evaluated and accepted to match the high standards this accreditation requires. We can’t rest on our laurels though, this accreditation needs to be renewed every four years, and so our commitment to providing the highest quality veterinary care continues.
There is ongoing discussion about the benefits and risks of desexing male and female dogs. Wherever you look you will find differing opinions as to whether the surgery should be done and when.
Our general advice is to let pups mature until at least six months of age before desexing. An adolescent check at that age is an excellent opportunity to discuss this important decision with the veterinarian when you visit Ripponlea Veterinary Hospital.
The government encourages you to desex your dog by charging much higher registration rates for entire dogs. This is due to their concerns that high numbers of un-neutered pets leads to high numbers of unplanned pregnancies and unwanted puppies. For the team at Ripponlea Veterinary Hospital our advice is based firmly on your pet’s welfare.
For both sexes weight gain after desexing is a concern. Desexing changes a pet’s metabolic rate and they use their food more efficiently. Also, around the time of desexing a puppy’s growth rate is slowing down. Adjusting the diet and weight monitoring is needed for a few months until they settle into a healthy adult weight range. Our scales are always available for weight checks, and we guarantee a treat each time your pup sits on the scales.
Research has suggested that for male large breed dogs there may be an increased risk of cruciate ligament injuries in dogs desexed before skeletal maturity. This may be a reason to delay desexing, but is always balanced with considerations of behaviour and lifestyle.
Desexed male dogs have a markedly reduced incidence of prostate disease in later lite and will not suffer from testicular cancers.
Female dogs have a season twice yearly, where they bleed and become attractive to males. Their behaviour changes and they may try to escape to find a mate. This can be hard to manage and so desexing is often recommended before the first season. For dogs desexed early there is an increased risk of incontinence in later life, which requires medication to manage.
Desexed female dogs do not have problems with womb infections of pseudo-pregnancies and have a reduced risk of breast cancer in later life.
Anaesthetic and Surgical Risks of Desexing
There is a small risk associated with any anaesthetic or surgical procedure. At Ripponlea Veterinary Hospital, an ASAV accredited hospital of excellence, we have developed and routinely revise and refine our surgical and anaesthetic protocols to minimise risk to our patients.
After surgery complications such as minor wound swelling and breakdown generally occur because our patients don’t follow their post surgical treatment plan, that is to rest and not lick their wounds. While this sounds simple, our pain control in many patients is so good that the next day they assume they can run, jump and play as normal. This is where you come in, providing a quiet, calm environment for the week after surgery. To prevent licking we strongly recommend a collar be used, although we recognize this can be a bit of a trial for everyone.
ASAV Accreditation
In October 2022 Ripponlea Veterinary Hospital gained accreditation as a ASAV hospital of excellence. This scheme recognises companion animal practices that achieve high levels of quality healthcare and practice management in innovative, state-of-the-art hospitals. Our hospital facilities, anaesthetic and surgical protocols were evaluated and accepted to match the high standards this accreditation requires. We can’t rest on our laurels though, this accreditation needs to be renewed every four years, and so our commitment to providing the highest quality veterinary care continues.
Play is the highest
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(A. Einstein) |