Desexing your Dog
Desexing is recommended at around 6 months of age prior to maturity in both sexes. This is a day surgery performed under general anaesthesia and dogs can return home the same evening. A tattoo is placed in the left ear as a symbol of desexing.Desexing of female dogs or speying involves removal of the ovaries and uterus. It is preferable to desex female dogs when they are not on heat or pregnant so that the uterus is not distended at the time. There are no proven benefits to temperament associated with allowing female dogs to experience one heat or have a litter before desexing.
Desexing results in sterilization and stops bitches coming on heat. Undesexed female dogs come on heat for three weeks twice yearly. The heat begins with a bloody vaginal discharge. Bitches on heat attract male dogs from far and wide as well as being keen to stray in search of such company themselves.
Medical advantages to speying at 6 months include the prevention of mammary cancer and avoiding life-threatening uterine infections later in life.
Desexing of male dogs or castration involves removal of the testicles under general anaesthesia. The result is sterilization and a reduction of male hormone related behaviours including some types of aggression and roaming in search of bitches on heat. Desexing before such habits have evolved best averts these behaviours. Medical benefits of desexing include prevention of testicular tumors, benign prostate enlargement and some tumors of the anal area.
A slow release implant is available that temporarily suppresses testosterone levels and induces a state similar to that of a desexed male, including infertility. Use of this method needs to be discussed with your vet before commencement. All dogs and bitches receive pain relief at surgery which lasts for 24 hours. Recovery time is just a few days. Aftercare includes controlling vigorous activity and monitoring the wound.
Desexing does not change your dog’s basic personality and with appropriate diet and exercise, they are not expected to gain weight.
We strongly recommend desexing for animals not destined for breeding so as to reduce the production of unwanted litters. Dog registration is significantly cheaper for desexed dogs.
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