Desexing your pet

Our team of qualified and experienced veterinarians and nurses will take excellent care of your pet.

What is pet desexing?

Desexing is a simple and minimally invasive procedure. It prevents your pet from being able to reproduce when they are old enough. It also reduces the levels of circulating testosterone, oestrogen and other sex hormones in your pets. The operation is slightly different in male and female animals, but has the same result.

The modern desexing procedures used at the Ark have been optimised for a fast recovery. Your pet can be back to their normal selves as fast as possible. Our veterinarians and nurses have extensive experience in desexing operations as well as post-operative care. We can ensure that your pet is in safe hands and will receive the best of care.

You will receive post desexing information from us and we will make sure your pet receives great after care. Our friendly veterinary staff is always ready to answer any questions.

Why Desex Your Pet?

Desexing has multiple benefits for your pet and the overall pet community. The most obvious benefit is not having to deal with unwanted puppies or kittens. Desexing can also have behavioural benefits, as well as improve your pet’s health outcomes as they grow older. Since many of the benefits of desexing are gender and species specific, we’ve separated them for you:

Male dogs:

Behavioural problems in male dogs such as over-dominance, aggression, hypersexual behaviour or tendency to run away are normally a consequence of their testosterone levels. Desexing your male dog will reduce their levels of testosterone and help to manage these behaviours. Medically, desexing your dog can reduce their risk of certain tumours as well as foreskin inflammation

Female dogs:

If your dog spends time with other male dogs that you are not sure have been castrated and you do not want them to have puppies it is important to get them desexed. As well as preventing unwanted pregnancies, desexing also reduces the risk of breast and ovarian tumours in dogs later in life.

Male cats:

Male cats have a tendency to mark their favourite spots with urine. This leads to unpleasant smells. Uncastrated male cats are also more likely to wander to look for a mate. Putting them at risk of road accidents, as well as fight with other cats which can lead to injury. We recommend that you desex your male cat for their own safety. Especially if they are going to spend time outdoors.

Female cats:

As with female dogs, desexing your female cat will prevent unwanted pregnancies. It also reduce the risk of cancer development later in life. Desexed cats also do not go on heat, the period of time where they are able to breed. So do not experience any behavioural changes associated with this.

Male rabbits:

When they reach breeding age, male rabbits may sometimes start to show signs of aggression. If you are concerned about changes in your male rabbit’s behaviour, then desexing may be a good option for you.

Did you know the NSW government has changed the required age of desexing cats?

From 1st July 2020, all cats need to have been desexed before they are 4 months old. An additional yearly fee for cats not desexed by 4 months has now been introduced to encourage responsible ownership.

At the Ark, we are recommending that all cats are either speyed or neutered at 14 weeks old to abide by these new rules. Each kitten will be assessed prior to the procedure and exceptions can be made for medical reasons. For example, if the kitten is unwell or is too small (<1kg) for a safe anaesthetic, we will delay the procedure and notify the council to ensure that no additional fees are charged. More information can be found here. 

Pet Desexing Procedures offered at the Ark:

At the Ark, we offer a range of desexing procedures for different species. Our team will provide you with an estimate before the procedure. Fees are variable depending on the age, breed and sex of your pet. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask any questions about the desexing procedure and get any information you need.

We recommend that you aim to get your pet desexed between 4 and 6 months of age. This may seem young, but research has shown that performing the procedure in younger animals is associated with more rapid healing and has no other detriments to their health. We offer desexing for both male and female:

• Dogs
• Cats

Pet Desexing FAQs:

Will my pet still be the same after their operation?

Desexing may cause some small behavioural changes, but mainly in terms of reducing overdominance, aggression and a tendency to wander. Your pet will still remember you and their adorable personality will stay the same!

How long will my pet be in hospital for?

Desexing is a day procedure. You will be able to drop them off at the Ark in the morning. Pick them up in the afternoon when they have been assessed for discharge by our nurses. For more information on what to do on the day of surgery, visit the surgery page

Will my pet be in pain?

The younger we perform the procedure, the less invasive it is. This result in a rapid recovery and less discomfort for your pet. However, regardless of what age your pet gets desexed, we will provide them with appropriate pain relief to make sure they are as comfortable as possible.

What do I do when I bring my pet home from surgery?

Since the procedure involves a general anaesthetic, your pet may still be a little tired when they get home. It’s been a long day for them! It’s best to keep them in a smaller area where they can stay calm and rest. After an anaesthetic pets may be slightly nauseous. Often want to eat less dinner when they get home – and this is normal. If loss of appetite persists, however, contact the Ark as soon as possible so we can make sure everything is okay. When your pet is discharged, we will give you some home care notes with all this information. You also receive medications such as antibiotics or pain relief, and equipment such as collars to prevent your pet from licking the surgery site. It’s important that you follow these instructions so your pet can recover quickly without complications.

Is the desexing operation reversible?

No. If you get your pet desexed then the procedure is not reversible. This is why we recommend a consult with our veterinary team before the procedure so that you can discuss whether desexing is right for you. In most cases we strongly recommend getting your pet desexed. If you are thinking of breeding from them in the future, then it is better to leave them undesexed.

If you have any other questions about the desexing procedure, or have any concerns about your pet’s behaviour before or after their surgery, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 9416 1300 or book a consult online.