DESEXING YOUR PET

Desexing is a specialised surgical procedure which prevents sexual and reproductive behaviour and related health and behavior problems. Desexing reduces unwanted behaviour such as wandering, territorial aggression, fighting, dominance, urine marking, inappropriate and embarrassing sexual behaviour, howling and yowling etc. This means a healthier, more pleasant pet and fewer problems with neighbours and other animals. Cairns Regional Council offers registration discounts for desexed dogs and there are moves afoot to make desexing and microchipping of pets compulsory in Australia to reduce pet problems like overbreeding, strays and fights. .

The best time to desex your pet is between 3 and 6 months of age. Leaving it later than 6 months increases the risk of health problems like reproductive cancers and infections and risks your pet learning unwanted behaviour like mounting and spraying.

Desexing is a specialised surgical procedure which incorporates high quality medical care. Our vets and staff are trained in pain management and anaesthetic safety. Before anaesthesia, patients are checked for problems which could complicate the procedure or require additional care. At this time we can also blood test your pet to detect any hidden problems. Pre-anaesthetic blood tests are most important for delicate, sick or older animals.

We offer rapid recovery anaesthesia and intravenous fluids to improve anaesthetic safety and hasten recovery. Without this option animals are often be weak and groggy for 24-48 hours after surgery. These precautions advised for all pets and are essential for older animals or those with health problems.

Strong painkillers are given before and after surgery, and further pain relief is available for you to give at home if required. Our staff can advise you of your pet’s likely needs.

We routinely microchip and ear-tattoo pets when we desex them. This identifies them as being desexed, and the microchip helps ensure lost pets are reunited with their family. Microchipping is an essential measure to protect your pet against loss and is best done at desexing or earlier.

When your pet is desexed we can update their vaccinations, grooming, dentistry and more.

Your pet should be fasted after 9pm the night before surgery.
This means no access to food or water after 9pm or in the morning of surgery. Be aware animals may try to eat other pet’s food or drink from puddles or pools or pot plants etc.

After the procedure, your pet should be kept quiet, clean, dry and confined for 10 days until the sutures are removed..

Surgery is done by appointment, Monday to Friday. Generally your pet is in for the day: Drop them off between 7am and 9.30am (Cairns Vet Clinic); between 8am and 9.30am (Aeroglen Vet Surgery); between 8.30am and 9.30am (Gordonvale Vet Surgery) on the morning of desexing. They can normally go home after 3pm. We will call you when surgery is complete and confirm the pickup time. We may keep your pet in later if they are slow to wake up after surgery.

Your pet will have sutures which stay in for 10 days after the surgery. Suture removal is included in the cost, as are any checks following surgery if you have any concerns.

To make an appointment simply phone us or call in to the hospital. Please phone at least 2 days before you would like the surgery to be done.