Your new puppy is a bundle of energy, excitement, mischief and wonder. So, the idea of your furry companion undergoing surgery can be a daunting proposition.
Thankfully, desexing is a common, routine procedure – but why is it important for your puppy?
Here is everything you need to know about puppy desexing.
Desexing brings health benefits
The biggest, and most obvious benefit of desexing, is that it prevents unplanned pregnancies. Regardless of whether you have a male or female puppy, unplanned pregnancies can be complicated and cause many stressful consequences.
But desexing can also have tremendous health benefits for the rest of your puppy’s life. It can curb behavioural issues, such as aggression, and minimise the risk of reproductive diseases, like cancers. It can also reduce the urge in your male puppy to roam or want to ‘escape’ to look for a female dog in heat – which lowers their risk of getting into fights with other animals, and in turn reduces the chances of them getting seriously hurt by vehicles when wandering.
If you want your puppy to have a long, healthy and happy life, desexing can go a long way to helping them. In 2013, a study based on data found in the Veterinary Medical Database concluded that desexing increased male life expectancy by 13.8%, and female life expectancy by 26.3%.
Desexing reduces pressure on shelters and pounds
Every year in Australia around 400,000 cats and dogs are up for adoption in shelters and pounds. Unfortunately, because of the overwhelming numbers, around 200,000 animals are euthanised.
Desexing is a socially responsible act of love for your new puppy. By taking care of their reproductive health and preventing unwanted pregnancies, you are helping to combat the overwhelming numbers of needy animals that show up in shelters and pounds every single year, and improve the chances of adoption for the animals that do end up there.
When should I desex my puppy?
The recommended age for desexing your puppy is around about when they are 5-6 months of age (peri-puberty). This is when puppies start to gain sexual maturity and can start reproducing.
Some dog breeds require the timing of desexing to be adjusted, depending on their bone growth and other maturity factors. The team at Matraville are here to support you and your new puppy with a plan that optimises their health needs, including the best time for them to be desexed. Remember – when in doubt, always ask your vet!
What happens during the procedure?
This procedure involves the surgical removal of your pet’s reproductive organs under general anesthesia.
We take great care of your puppy during surgery, and make sure that they are monitored closely afterwards to ensure that their post-anaesthesia recovery goes smoothly.
What happens after surgery?
You’ll be given a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts when you take your pet home. It’s important to make sure your puppy can’t bite or lick at their stitches, so keeping the elizabethan collar around their neck is an important part of ensuring they heal without any complications.
The Matraville team will follow-up with you for an appointment to remove sutures and a general check-over to see how they’re going post-surgery. Most pups are back to their normal, playful selves a week after surgery – but if you have any concerns at all, make sure to call your vet (or bring your pup in for a check-up) just to be safe.
As always, the team at Matraville Veterinary Practice are here to support you and care for your puppy across all their health needs. To chat about desexing your puppy, give us a call and we’ll arrange a time that’s convenient for you.