Most pet owners have had to consider at one point or another whether or not to desex their pet. It’s an important issue, and one that’s likely to have a big impact both on you and your pet.
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With National Desexing Month in July, Dr Bronwyn Orr, RSPCA Australia vet and Scientific Officer shares her insights on desexing cats and dogs.
“There are many good reasons for desexing your cat or dog,” said Dr Orr, “and they involve the animal, the owner and the entire community.”
Desexing your cat or dog has proven health benefits, she said.
“For females, desexing eliminates the risk of an infected uterus, called pyometra, and reduces the risk of mammary cancer. In males, it eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, and reduces the risk of prostate cancer and other tumours and hernias.”
Research also shows that, on average, desexed female dogs live longer than their undesexed counterparts.
For those whose cat or dog displays some undesirable behaviours, desexing may help reduce these as well, said Dr Orr.
“You might find that after desexing, your cat or dog is much less inclined to roam or mark its territory. Female cats usually stop vocalising at night.”
This is good for the animal and its owner, but this responsible pet ownership may have far-reaching benefits for the whole community.
Dr Orr also stresses the importance of desexing your cat or dog to help with overpopulation.
“Every year tens of thousands of unwanted dogs and cats enter pounds around the country. At the RSPCA, we also see many unwanted or unexpected litters of kittens and puppies. The absolute best way of preventing this from happening is by desexing our cats and dogs,” said Dr Orr.
A reason often cited by owners who are concerned about desexing their pet is that they are denying them the right to breed and experience having a litter. Dogs and cats are different to people in that regard, and a desexed pet is not going to yearn for having a litter of young in the same way that humans might yearn for children.
The desexing procedure involves surgery with general anaesthesia. In males, it involves removing the testes and in females, removing the ovaries, oviducts and uterus. The surgery is a routine procedure, which means that vets perform them regularly, and the risks are minimal. It is a day procedure and usually involves the animal being admitted to the vet in the morning, and being discharged in the afternoon. New surgical procedures mean that taking your pet back to the vet to have stitches removed is no longer necessary, as the sutures dissolve over time.
Dr Orr said that in many circumstances the best time to have your cat or dog desexed is before puberty.
“The procedure can be done as early as eight weeks of age or at a minimum 1kg of bodyweight. At the latest, it should be done before the animal reaches puberty for the maximum benefit and to prevent any unwanted pregnancies”. Check with your vet first to find out when the best time is to desex your pet.
“There are many good reasons to have your cat or dog desexed,” said Dr Orr. “Anyone who is still unsure about it should chat to their vet for additional professional advice.”
- RSPCA Australia, an independent, non-government community-based charity providing animal care and protection services. The RSPCA relies on donations from the public in order to carry out its work. To donate visit RSPCA and follow the links. You can also ring the RSPCA Donation Line on 1300 RSPCA1.