Desexing

Malvern Vet Hospital offers desexing for dogs and cats of both sexes.

In dogs, there has been significant research done on the impact of desexing at different ages and different breeds. In some breeds there is a correlation between the age of desexing and the incidence of subsequent joint disorders, cancers and urinary incontinence. For a specific medical recommendation on what is the ideal age to desex your dog please contact us at askthevet@malvernvet.com.au  and advise us of your dogs age and breed (or mix of breeds if known) and we will get back to you with a recommendation of what age is best to desex.

Cats should be spayed or castrated at 6 months of age (as recommended by the AVA – Australian Veterinary Association). At this age, the animals are old enough for an anaesthetic but still have immature reproductive tracts – ensuring a safer surgery.

The pet needs to be kept rested for the next 7- 10 days (no walks) and intradermal sutures are used which are dissolvable with no ties visible for pets to pull at and no need to be removed.

Pre anaesthetic screening :

Recommended even in young animals as it can be used to establish a normal baseline and can help uncover congenital abnormalities. Used to assess the function of your pets’ kidneys and liver as they are the organ responsible for filtering the medications used. If there is some disease there already an anaesthetic can compromise these organs further and potentially push them into renal failure. If you pet is found to have some renal disease we may alter the medications used or adjust our procedure plan. The blood test also checks your pets red and white blood cells for signs of infection or clotting deficiencies which again can alter the our procedure plan. Strongly recommended in cats and dogs over 7 years of age.  The blood test will be done on the morning of the procedure prior to any medications being given.

Brachycephalic breeds:

Short nosed breeds (brachycephalics), such as Pugs/ French bulldogs, have a higher risk of regurgitating while under anaesthetic, as a result of their altered anatomy. While under anaesthesia, regurgitation can lead to burning the lining of the oesophagus. Inhalation of the regurgitated contents may also cause aspiration pneumonia (infection in the lungs). To avoid this happening and to improve your pets safety during a general anaesthesia, we recommend using medication to prevent vomiting, as well as antacids, before and after the procedure. Please speak to a veterinarian in order to determine if this precaution is necessary for your dog.