Desexing for female dogs

 

Female dogs are normally desexed at 4-6 months of age, however the procedure can be carried out later in life. Speying involves completely removing the ovaries and the uterus. A speyed dog cannot have puppies or a come into heat/season.

 

Health benefits of speying include:

•        Eliminates the possibility of getting cancer of the ovaries and uterus;

•        Eliminates the possibility of getting a pyometra (infection of the uterus – can be life threatening);

•        Greatly reduced risk of developing mammary (breast) cancer and mastitis (inflammation/infection of mammary glands);

•        Eliminates risk of pregnancy complications. Examples include calcium deficiency, puppies becoming stuck and emergency caesarian section (c-section);

•        Less likely to escape/roam to find a mate. This means less chance of injury through fighting other animals and car accidents.  

 

The benefits of no oestrus (heat) include:

•        No need to be confined; female dogs on heat often need to be confined to prevent them from mating. Even if you don’t have a male dog at home other undesexed            males will travel long distances, dig holes and jump fences to get to a female on heat. Confinement may make the female upset and confused;

•        No discharge; when females are on heat they may produce a discharge from their vulva. If the female is allowed inside this can be upsetting for owners if it gets on          the floor, lounges or other furniture. A female that is normally allowed inside/on furniture may feel upset and confused if she is suddenly not.      

 

Cost benefits and ethical reasons to spey include:

•        Eliminates cost of pregnancy complications (an emergency caesarian section can cost up to $4000);

•        Eliminates cost of food and vaccinations for puppies;

•        Council registration is in most cases cheaper for desexed animals;

•        Eliminates unwanted puppies (please remember there are already thousands of animals without homes in animal shelters across Australia).

 

Feeding:

Unfortunately speying does result in a reduced energy requirement. As with any animal, if they are fed more than they require they are at risk of becoming overweight. Speyed dogs require less food than undesexed dogs and therefore their diet needs to be adjusted accordingly.

 

Speying is a day procedure that we perform routinely under a general anaesthetic. Your pet does need to be fasted prior to the surgery and will have stitches for 10-14 days after. To discuss speying further or to make an appointment please call us.