Male and female desexing have different benefits and procedures. When you choose to have your male animal neutered, you will be minimising their chances of developing hormonally influenced behavioural issues and medical problems.

The Benefits

There is a global epidemic of unwanted dogs and cats; millions of domestic animals are euthanised each year. This is a problem that can be reduced by neutering.

Even though male cats and dogs will never get pregnant, their sex hormones affect their behaviour. This leads to territorial fights and animals straying away from home when they sense a female in heat nearby. Also, male cats mark their territory by spraying urine on vertical surfaces.

Certain diseases affect cats and dogs when they aren’t neutered, including prostate and testicular cancers. In short, when you choose to neuter your animal, you’ll have a safer, cleaner, and less aggressive pet in your home.

The Procedure

You will need to withhold food and water from your pet on the night before surgery. Desexing dogs and cats have similar procedures where a small incision is made and their testicles are removed. The incision is usually closed with either dissolvable sutures or surgical glue, and they should be able to return home right away after surgery.

After desexing male dogs, they may decrease any humping behaviour or lifting their leg to mark their territory during walks.

The Aftercare

When you bring your dog home, you will want to feed them a small-sized meal and stop any excessive activity that could affect the incision site. A quick walk on a leash may be good for them so they can go to the bathroom and stretch their legs. Different dogs react differently to anaesthesia, so don’t be alarmed if your dog needs a full day of rest.

Keep your male cat inside for 2 weeks after neutering to prevent them from gathering bacteria or injuring the incision site. Give them a quiet, dark place to rest and ensure their litter box is clean and they have access to water and food.

If the incision site on your animal is red, shows discharge or has an open suture, take them back to the vet to be checked. If your dog or cat is excessively licking at the site, placing a cone over their head may be necessary – you can acquire this from your vet.

When can I bathe my dog?

You should wait 2 weeks after neutering before bathing your dog.

At what age should my animal be neutered?

Here at Kedron Veterinary Clinic we recommend desexing animals at 6-8 months of age to ensure their hormones develop appropriately, and to have the procedure done before they develop negative behaviours. Some breeds can be desexed sooner.

Make an Appointment with Kedron Veterinary Clinic

To organise an appointment to neuter your male pet, speak to the team at Kedron Veterinary Clinic. Call (07) 3857 1785 or contact us online.