Onewa Road Veterinary Hospital Ltd
Independent, locally owned and operated veterinary care for the North Shore and Central Auckland.
Also known as neutering, desexing is a common surgical procedure performed daily by veterinarians to remove an animal's reproductive organs or ability. Often referred to as a neuter or spay, in males the typical procedure is called castration, and in females, it is spaying.
Neutered dogs and cats will not go on heat, have periods or the desire to mate, nor become pregnant.
Castrating males involves the removal of the testicles, whilst spaying females involves the removal of the ovaries or ovaries and uterus.
Surgery for females is more complex so it requires a longer anesthetic and longer surgery time. For this reason, recovery from surgery is generally slower for females than for males. Once at home, you will need to look out for signs of infection after neutering and for the first night keep them quiet and prevent them from playing, climbing stairs, and running. Most are back to normal within 24 hours of surgery.
It is likely female cats, female and male dogs will need to wear a cone after neutering to prevent them from pulling out their stitches. How long they should wear the cone for will depend on their temperament, but usually at least a week. Stitches are then removed 10-14 days after surgery.
Desexing before puberty is usually recommended for both cats and dogs. It is ideal to have females spayed before her first heat cycle, at 5 to 6 months of age. For males, it can be done as soon as the testicles descend into the scrotum, usually 4 to 6 months of age.
Many kittens and puppies from rescue shelters are neutered at an earlier age, prior to being adopted.
For some dogs, the best age for neutering may depend on other factors such as breed, genetic predisposition, or body size. Some breeds like Labradors, Golden Retreivers, Rottweilers, desexing after puberty (first heat) may have some benefits. Please discuss with us what is right for your dog.
An unwanted pregnancy and resulting kittens and puppies to care for, and find homes for, are obvious signs. Also, overly aggressive dogs or wandering cats can be calmed down and benefit from desexing.
What are the behavioural benefits of spaying a cat? How does neutering affect a male dog? There are many health and welfare benefits of desexing cats and dogs including:
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. Whilst low, these may include anaesthetic complications, infection, or bleeding. Other cons against desexing include:
The pros and cons of desexing cats and dogs can be debated, but the overwhelming pros of birth control and behaviour improvements outweigh any potential cons.
Please contact us to discuss desexing your pet to understand the cost, benefits, and risks.
The above information is provided as an educational guide only and is not a substitute for advice from your pet’s healthcare professionals. If your pet’s symptoms continue, you are concerned about them, or want further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Royal Canin Rottweiler Puppy for puppies up to 18 months old.
Royal Canin Exigent Savour Sensation for fussy cats from 1 to 7 years that prefer a formula based on its texture and how it feels in their mouth.
Royal Canin Shih Tzu complete dog feed for adult and mature Shih Tzus - Over 10 months old.
For adult Shih Tzus over 10 months of age
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Shih Tzus 8 weeks to 10 months old
ROYAL CANIN® Starter Mother and Babydog Mousse is recommended for bitches during gestation and lactation and all breed puppies from weaning - 2 months.
This complete diet is tailored to meet the higher energy needs of non-neutered adult dogs plus includes nutrients to maintain joint and digestive health specifically required by large dogs. It can be fed throughout your dog’s adult life.
Recovery is a complete and balanced diet to support nutritional restoration and convalescence of cats and dogs.
Royal Canin Adult Small Dog is recommended for adult small breed dogs (<10kg) from 10 months to 8 years old.
ROYAL CANIN® ANALLERGENIC IS A SCIENTIFICALLY FORMULATED AND UNIQUE NUTRITIONAL SOLUTION FOR DOGS AND CATS WITH SEVERE DIETARY ALLERGIES.
CARDIAC DRY IS SCIENTIFICALLY FORMULATED TO SUPPORT HEART HEALTH IN DOGS SUFFERING EARLY CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE & HYPERTENSION.
Royal Canin Dental Dog is recommended for adult medium breed dogs (over 10kg and 12 months) and large breed dogs (over 25kg and 15 months for daily oral hygiene, dental plaque and tartar (to limit their development), and associated halitosis.
Royal Canin Dental Small Dog is recommended for small breed (1-10kg) adult dogs.
Diabetic diets are specifically formulated to help in the management of glucomodulation in diabetic dogs.
ROYAL CANIN® Gastrointestinal loaf is a complete dietetic feed for dogs, formulated to help reduce acute intestinal absorptive disorders, and promote nutritional restoration and convalescence. Highly digestible ingredients. Increased level of electrolytes and high concentration of essential nutrients. High energy density.
ROYAL CANIN® GASTROINTESTINAL LOW FAT WET is specifically formulated for adult dogs with gastrointestinal diseases that require fat restriction.
ROYAL CANIN® Gastrointestinal Low Fat dry is a complete dietetic feed for dogs, formulated for the regulation of lipid metabolism in the case of hyperlipidaemia. This feed contains a low level of fat and a high level of essential fatty acids.
ROYAL CANIN® Gastrointestinal Puppy dry is a complete dietetic feed for puppies, formulated to help reduce acute intestinal absorptive disorders, and promote nutritional restoration and convalescence.
Hepatic Canine is a scientifically formulated diet for the nutritional management of liver disease in dogs
ROYAL CANIN® HYPOALLERGENIC IS PRECISELY FORMULATED FOR DOGS AND CATS THAT SUFFER FROM ADVERSE FOOD REACTIONS (AFR).
ROYAL CANIN® HYPOALLERGENIC IS PRECISELY FORMULATED FOR DOGS AND CATS THAT SUFFER FROM ADVERSE FOOD REACTIONS (AFR).
Royal Canin Mature Consult Large Dog is recommended for mature large breed dogs (> 25kg) over 5 years old, ideally after a senior health check
Royal Canin Mature Consult Medium Dog is recommended for mature medium breed dogs (11 to 25kg) over 7 years old, ideally after a senior health check
Royal Canin Mature Consult Small Dog is recommended for mature small breed dogs (≤10kg) over 8 years old, ideally after a senior health check.
Royal Canin Adult Large Dog is recommended for adult large breed dogs (>25kg adult weight & 15 months of age, with a tendency to gain weight.
Royal Canin Adult Small Dog is recommended for adult small breed dogs (<10kg adult weight) after neutering and adult small breed dogs over 6 months with a tendency to gain weight.
Satiety is precisely formulated for safe and effective weight loss and successful long term weight management in dogs.
SATIETY IS PRECISELY FORMULATED FOR SAFE, EFFECTIVE WEIGHT LOSS AND SUPPORTS SUCCESSFUL LONG TERM WEIGHT MANAGEMENT IN DOGS.
Royal Canin Satiety Weight Management Small Dog is precisely formulated for safe and effective weight loss and successful long term weight management in small dogs.
ROYAL CANIN® SENSITIVITY CONTROL IS A SCIENTIFICALLY FORMULATED DIET WITH SELECTED PROTEINS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FOOD INTOLERANCE, FOOD ALLERGY AND GASTROINTESTINAL SENSITIVITY IN CATS AND DOGS.
ROYAL CANIN® SENSITIVITY CONTROL IS A SCIENTIFICALLY FORMULATED DIET WITH SELECTED PROTEINS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FOOD INTOLERANCE, FOOD ALLERGY AND GASTROINTESTINAL SENSITIVITY.
Urinary S/O is formulated for the nutritional management of adult dogs with urinary stones (struvites) and to help prevent their recurrence. This is achieved through the diet's urine acidifying properties and its low magnesium levels.
Royal Canin Canine Urinary S/O Wet is formulated for the nutritional management of dogs with lower urinary tract disease.
Royal Canin Dental Feline is recommended for adult cats requiring daily oral hygeine support
ROYAL CANIN® ANALLERGENIC IS A SCIENTIFICALLY FORMULATED AND UNIQUE NUTRITIONAL SOLUTION FOR DOGS AND CATS WITH SEVERE DIETARY ALLERGIES.
Royal Canin Feline Calm is recommended to support adult cats in cases of cats in stressful situations or undergoing behavioural therapy for anxiety and stress-related digestive, skin, and urinary disorders
ROYAL CANIN® Diabetic diets are specifically formulated to help in the management of glucomodulation in diabetic cats.
Diabetic diets are specifically formulated to help in the management of glucomodulation in diabetic cats.
The ROYAL CANIN® Gastrointestinal Feline diet is precisely formulated to support cats with acute and/or chronic gastrointestinal conditions.
The ROYAL CANIN® Gastrointestinal Fibre Response is specially formulated with a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers to aid with intestinal movement for your cat’s GI upsets.
The ROYAL CANIN® GASTROINTESTINAL HAIRBALL diet, is precisely formulated for cats, to help eliminate ingested hair and control hairball formation.
ROYAL CANIN® Gastrointestinal Kitten dry is a complete dietetic feed for kittens, formulated to help reduce acute intestinal absorptive disorders, and promote nutritional restoration and convalescence.
The ROYAL CANIN® Gastrointestinal Feline wet diet is precisely formulated to support cats with acute and/or chronic gastrointestinal conditions.
ROYAL CANIN® HYPOALLERGENIC IS PRECISELY FORMULATED FOR DOGS AND CATS THAT SUFFER FROM ADVERSE FOOD REACTIONS (AFR).
MOBILITY FELINE IS FORMULATED TO SUPPORT JOINT HEALTH AND MOBILITY WITH EPA&DHA AND GREEN LIPPED MUSSEL EXTRACT
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. It is not intended as medical or health advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional who understands your pet's individual needs.