Desexing
What you need to know prior to your pet's general anaesthetic
A full admission appointment with your surgical veterinarian for the day. This is your opportunity to ask any questions about the procedure and any general health questions you may have. The vet will check your pet’s heart and lungs in a pre-anaesthetic check. Pre-anaesthetic blood testing will also be discussed.
Your pet is usually sedated with a ‘pre-med’ as soon as admitted to hospital to relieve anxiety.
Anaesthesia is usually induced with an injectable agent and maintained with a combination of gases on an anaesthetic machine. Your pet has a tube placed in his or her airway to ensure that breathing is controlled at all times. We use isoflurane whilst your pet is in theatre – the most expensive but safest anaesthetic agent.
All anaesthetics are monitored by a veterinary nurse dedicated exclusively to your pet from induction of anaesthesia through recovery. We also monitor constantly with a respiration monitor, blood pressure, heart rate monitor and a machine that measures the level of oxygen in the blood.
Intravenous fluids are included in our desexing package. This helps to maintain blood pressure during surgery, protecting vital organs and reducing post-anaesthetic hangover.
The vet performs the surgery in a separate sterile operating theatre and wears a sterile surgical gown and gloves. Each surgical kit is individually sterilised. We do not share kits between patients.
Only the best for your pet. We don’t use cheaper alternatives.
To be used from suture removal to within a month of the surgery date. Learn more about our Hydrobath service here.
Your pet is given injectable pain relief before recovery from surgery. If necessary, this is topped up during recovery. Dogs are then sent home on 2 days of oral pain relief. This ensures their comfort at home as they recover from the procedure.
These are given at the time of surgery and occasionally we will send a pet home with them (usually if the surgery has been longer or more difficult for some reason).
A full discharge consultation with a vet.
As many free rechecks as necessary until sutures are removed. Very few pets have complications with desexing but if you are concerned about anything we encourage you to let us examine your pet at no extra charge. The most common complication is an inflammatory reaction to the suture material, especially in cats.
Why Should I Desex My Pet?
- As well as the obvious benefits of reducing unwanted litters, desexed pets are less likely to roam and get into trouble from fighting or accidents.
- Male desexed animals do not have such a strong smell and are less likely to mark their territory with urine. They also tend to show less aggression.
- Female animals in season can often be a nuisance for their owners due to the presence of unwanted suitors or the mess made from bleeding.
- Desexing reduces the risk of uterine infections and mammary cancer in female animals and prostate or testicular cancer in male animals.
- Desexed animals are cheaper to register with the council.
For any further information or to book your pet in to be desexed please call our friendly staff
