Desexing

Desexing

Desexing your cats will result in a cat that is a more pleasurable pet:

• Desexing reduces the number of cat fights, hence reducing the number of abscesses, and spread of Feline Aids.
• Your cat will stay home more and be less likely to get into strife such as being hit on the road. Tom cats have been clocked with a range of up to 14 km.
• You will have less urine spraying around your house and less caterwauling at night.
• AND MOST OF ALL there will be fewer kittens. Fewer kittens = more birds, anyway you look at it.

What are the benefits of desexing your female dog?

• Desexed bitches don’t attract male dogs (and the ensuing dog fights)
• They are at less risk of developing mammary gland tumours
• They won’t have false pregnancies and
• They won’t develop potentially life threatening uterine infections.

What are the benefits of desexing your male dog?

• Health wise your dog will be less likely to develop disease of the prostate or tumours of the testes.
• His desire to roam will be reduced, some report by up to 90%, which makes life a lot safer for him.
• His level of dominance based aggression to other male dogs will be less.
• He will urine mark his territory less.
• AND there will be fewer UNWANTED pups.

Desexing Male Dog Myths:

• People think their dog’s personality will change. The only thing that changes is they lose their reproductive drive.
• They think their dog will become "soft". As Vets, we do not see this – for most dogs, you can not tell from their behaviour whether they have been desexed or not.
• There is a misplaced belief that desexed animals will get fat. Desexed pets require less food and their weight can be controlled this way.

What does desexing involve for your dog or cat?

It is a day stay surgery performed under general anaesthetic with pain relief. It is a more complicated surgery to desex a female than a male. We will ensure that the best quality of surgery and medical care are given to your pet.

Desexing Subsidy 

Desexing procedures are heavily discounted by Veterinary Surgeons as a way of contributing to animal health in our communities. In addition, the Humane Society of NZ can contribute 50% of the cost of desexing your pet, if financial hardship is the reason you have not had your pet neutered. Contact any of the staff in our clinics for more details.

Joanna van Pierce, BVSc, Bay of Islands Veterinary Services