Desexing: Makes Your Pet Live Longer

Regardless of whether your pet is a dog, cat, rabbit, ferret or guinea pig, getting them desexed is a big part of giving your pet a long and healthy life.

Regardless of whether your pet is a dog, cat, rabbit, ferret or guinea pig, getting them desexed is a big part of giving your pet a long and healthy life. Read on for more info about why.

Health

Preventing Cancer

One of the biggest reasons to desex your pet is also one that tends to frighten owners the most – cancer. Males that are not desexed are at risk of testicular cancer, regardless of species. Females are at risk of breast cancer, particularly dogs and cats. Breast cancer accounts for half of all tumours in female dogs that are not desexed, and is the third most common tumour in entire cats. Cancer of the ovaries and uterus (womb) are another type of cancer that females that are not desexed are at a real risk of. Up to 60% of female rabbits that are over three years old and not desexed will get uterine (womb) cancer. The types of cancers just described are often malignant, spreading to other parts of the body. They can make your pet very sick, and can even kill them. This risk of these cancers is dramatically reduced, if not eliminated, by getting them desexed.

Preventing Infection

Females that are not desexed, particularly dogs, are at risk of getting a truly horrible infection of the uterus called pyometra, which can kill them. The first sign that they are sick is that they become lethargic and go off their food, and they deteriorate rapidly. Treatment is emergency surgery to remove the infected uterus. As you can imagine, surgery is a much safer procedure in a young, healthy pet than a sick one!

Having Babies is Hard Work

As any human mum can tell you, having babies is hard work, especially if you have several at one time! Pregnancy and birthing carries risks such as nutritional deficiencies, babies getting stuck during birthing (requiring emergency caesareans to save them), and infection of the breast tissue. As pregnancy puts extra strain on your pet’s body, repeat pregnancies means they are more likely to wear out physically, potentially leading to a shorter life span.

Behaviour

Desexing isn’t going to turn your energy-filled young pet into a calm relaxed one, nor is it going to change the personality of your lovely well mannered one. But it does discourage a number of undesirable behaviours. It reduces the risk of your pet trying to wander off in search of a mate and getting lost. It reduces territorial activities such as spraying indoors, and aggression. If done before the behaviour starts, it means your pet is less likely to hump your friends when they come to visit, and less likely to invite the neighbouring animals into your house.

Basically, pets that are desexed are far more likely to live longer, healthier and happier lives than those that aren’t. The greatest benefits are seen in pets that are desexed when they are still young (before 6 months of age is recommended), but it is still beneficial for older animals. If your pet hasn’t been desexed yet, call our friendly team to get your pet booked in today! We can desex your pet dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig and ferret.