Responsible dog ownership includes having your pet desexed. Not only does this prevent unwanted puppies, but it can also benefit your dog's health in several ways. Below is a guide to everything you need to know about dog desexing.
What Exactly Is Dog Desexing?
Dog desexing, or spaying/neutering, is a surgical procedure that removes a dog's reproductive organs. For female dogs, this means the ovaries and uterus are removed; for male dogs, the testicles are removed. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.
What Are the Benefits of Dog Desexing?
There are several benefits to having your dog desexed, including:
Reducing the risk of certain cancers
Desexing can help reduce the risk of mammary cancer in female dogs and testicular and prostate cancer in male dogs.
Preventing unwanted litters
Every year, thousands of puppies are born in Australia to parents who can't find homes for them all. Desexing your dog helps prevent this from happening.
Curbing problem behaviours
Un-desexed dogs are more likely to display problem behaviours such as roaming, urine marking, aggression and mounting behaviours. These behaviours are usually caused by hormones and can be prevented or reduced by desexing.
When Should You Desex Your Dog?
It is recommended that you desex a dog before it reaches sexual maturity. However, this may vary depending on your dog's breed; large breeds may be desexed at a later age due to their slower maturity rate. You should always discuss the best time to desex your dog with your veterinarian.
What Are the Risks Associated With Dog Desexing?
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with dog desexing. These include infection at the surgery site, postoperative pain and bleeding. Your veterinarian will discuss these risks with you prior to performing the procedure and will take steps to minimise them. Overall, the risks associated with desexing are low, and the potential benefits are high. If you're a responsible pet owner, desexing is important in ensuring your dog lives a happy and healthy life.
Summary
The best way to decide if desexing is right for your pet is to talk to your veterinarian about the pros and cons. They can help you weigh all the factors involved in order to make the best decision for you and your furry friend. If you would like more information about dog desexing, contact a local vet today. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
When I notice that my dog didn't look well, I was really worried. Little Danny hadn't been eating his food and had been sleeping a lot. I called my sister and asked for advice. She recommended that I take my dog Danny to the vet. I booked an emergency appointment at the veterinary surgery and later that day my dog was seen by the vet. Assess Danny's help and prescribed some antibiotics. I was really impressed with the level of care provided by the veterinary surgery. Since this time, I have become extremely interested in animal well-being, so I decided to start this blog. Enjoy!