Desexing

Desexing

From 1st July 2018, it is now law in South Australia that all dogs and cats not registered for breeding need to be desexed by 6 months of age. (There are a few very specific medical or health reasons, where a veterinarian can provide documentation to support the reason for an individual pet to remain entire)

Regardless of this, there are compelling reasons for having your dog or cat de-sexed. Quite apart from potential health risks, it also reduces the potential for unwanted puppies and kittens. Animal shelters constantly battle with huge numbers of unwanted puppies and kittens and put literally thousands of animals to sleep every year. In modern western society, it is our responsibility to do our bit to limit the unwanted births of puppies and kittens.

Puppies and Dogs

Male dogs are driven to seek out females (bitches) on heat, often resulting in injuries from climbing or breaking through fences, either to get out, or to get into a property to meet a bitch on heat.

Entire males are more prone to a variety of health problems in later life, including prostate disease and a few particular cancers. The most common cancer in entire males is testicular cancer.

Urine odour is greatly reduced.

Entire bitches are more prone to develop breast cancer, as well as a potentially fatal form of uterus infection (pyometron)

There is no evidence to support the statement that bitches settle more or are better off, if they have had a litter of pups. Similarly, there are no scientific benefits for allowing bitches to have their first heat cycle.

Do not defer de-sexing of your growing pup and put it’s health and wellbeing at risk.

Kittens and Cats

Both males and female cats wander less, than their entire counterparts. Most wandering and fighting happens between dusk and dawn, which can result in serious injury. Commonly, cat fight abscesses result which are painful, frequently require veterinary attention, and more importantly risk transfer of potentially fatal viral diseases, including FIV ( Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) which results in Feline AIDS.

When on heat female cats are incredibly vocal, and quite distressed until they achieve the end goal.. ie to be mated.  If they have a chance, they will wander more during their heat cycles. They attract male cats from the surrounding district. This further compounds the opportunity for more fighting, injury and illness.

Urine spraying is greatly reduced, particularly in male cats and urine odour is greatly reduced.

Do not defer de-sexing of your growing kitten and risk it’s or other cats health and wellbeing.

To have your pet booked in for a desexing, please contact the practice on 08 8362 6688 or discuss this with our team when you next visit the practice.