DOGS and cats can be wonderful family pets and in most cases, desexing the animal enhances its nature without any negatives.
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The decision to desex your pet can be a very personal one.
However, with the amount of unwanted kittens and pups being born every day, pet owners are being forced to consider their responsibility when it comes to the neutering of their companion animal.
Desexing will not affect the animal’s overall personality but will generally encourage it to be just one of the family – more loving and content.
Of course, we all want what is best for the animal as well as for all the members of the household and the neighbourhood. There is nothing worse if Millie or Tara is in season and a stray gets into your yard. Subsequently you will have a litter of unwanted puppies or kittens, which may involve a veterinary bill.
Or, in the case of a male, Toby or Rex trying to break out or just howling all night and urinating everywhere because he has picked up a female’s scent.
On the positive side, desexing has been proven to reduce the incidence of some medical problems including cancer and some infections.
Also, the prevention and treatment of some behavioural problems such as wanting to escape, roaming and aggression (both territorial and dominance).
However, it is important for an owner to be aware of the reduction in the metabolic rate after desexing which can lead to an increase in weight of the animal.
Consequently weight monitoring may become necessary as obesity can also lead to medical problems such as diabetes and also lameness caused by the extra stress put on the limbs, muscles and tendons.
As desexing is not classified as a major operation, the animal is quick to recover though exercise should be limited for a few days and a check kept on the area.
Vets recommend the procedure be carried out between four to six months of age. This will also mean a saving on registration fees. The compulsory state government fee for registration is currently $195 for entire animals but only $52 (or in the case of a pensioner $22) for a desexed animal.
Finally, my theory is what the animal does not know, he/she will not miss.
July is National Desexing Month. Some veterinary clinics around the country are offering desexing discounts to during the month of July.
