Desexing Your Pet
Desexing, also known as neutering (for males) or spaying (for females) is another important step you can take to support your pet’s long-term health and wellbeing.
At Forth Valley Vet Clinic, we offer safe, professional desexing procedures for dogs, cats, and rabbits, and we’re here to help support you through the procedure from start to finish. Whilst desexing is generally a routine procedure it is always carefully managed with your pet’s safety and comfort our number one priority.
WHY DESEX YOUR PET
There are many reasons to consider desexing your pet, including:
Prevent Unwanted Litters: Helps avoid accidental pregnancies and reduces pressure on animal shelters across Australia.
Health Benefits : Desexed pets have a lower risk of mammary tumours, pyometra (uterine infection), testicular cancer, and prostate issues.
Behavioural Improvements: Desexing can reduce roaming, mounting, marking, and other hormonally driven behaviours, especially in males.
Community Impact: Helps control stray populations and reduces the spread of disease and injuries from fighting or mating.
WHEN SHOULD YOU DESEX YOUR PET
The ideal timing for desexing depends on a number of important variables such as on your pet’s species, breed, size, health risks and lifestyle.
DOG DESEXING - GENERAL GUIDELINES ONLY
At our clinic, we believe in tailoring desexing recommendations to suit your puppy’s individual needs. While desexing plays an important role in preventing unwanted litters and reducing certain health and behavioural concerns, the timing of surgery can also influence your puppy’s long-term growth and wellbeing.
Every dog is different, so it is important to discuss the timing during your pets health checks to ensure it suits their needs and your lifestyle.
So the below chart is a general guide only:
Why wait longer for larger dogs?
The main reason is bone and joint development. In larger breeds, growth plates (areas of developing bone) close later, and early desexing may slightly increase the risk of orthopaedic issues like hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament injuries. By allowing these dogs to mature before desexing, we support stronger bones and more balanced musculoskeletal development.
Again, every dog is unique, and there may be individual factors, such as behaviour, medical history, or home environment that influence the best timing for your pet. We’ll always discuss this with you during your puppy's health checks to make sure the plan suits your dog and your lifestyle.
CAT DESEXING GENERAL GUIDELINES
RABBIT DESEXING GENERAL GUIDELINES
Whether you're unsure about timing, concerned about recovery, or just want to know more, our team is happy to talk through all your questions.
Desexing Surgery at our Clinic
At Forth Valley Vet Clinic, we understand surgery, especially for the first time, can feel a little daunting for our clients and patients. Our goal is to minimise anxiety, ensure a safe procedure, and manage pain before, during, and after surgery.
At our clinic, a spay (female desexing) involves the surgical removal of both the ovaries and the uterus through a small incision in the abdomen. For males, we perform a castration (neuter) by making an incision before the scrotum to remove both testes, leaving the scrotum intact. In both procedures, we typically use dissolvable sutures, which do not require removal unless otherwise advised.
In Tasmania, it is not legally compulsory to tattoo a dog’s ear after desexing. However, many veterinary clinics, including ours, routinely place a small tattoo in the left ear during the desexing procedure. This is a standard practice used to provide a permanent, visible indication that the animal has been desexed.
What you can expect when your pet is desexed with Forth Valley Vet Clinic:
-
Before surgery, we thoroughly examine your pet and we recommend a pre-anaesthetic blood test. This helps us check organ function (especially the liver and kidneys), blood cell levels, and electrolyte balances—so we can tailor their care and ensure it's safe to proceed.
Why it matters: Early detection of hidden issues helps us avoid complications and provide a safer anaesthetic experience.
-
Your pet will receive intravenous fluids during surgery to help maintain stable blood pressure and support circulation and organ function.
Why it matters: This keeps your pet well-hydrated and improves recovery after surgery, particularly under general anaesthesia.
-
Pain relief is provided before, during, and after the procedure, with take-home medication included as part of your pet’s care plan.
Why it matters: Managing pain isn’t just about comfort, it promotes faster healing, reduces stress, and improves your pet’s overall recovery.
-
We use gas anaesthesia delivered via a soft breathing tube to ensure a smooth and controlled anaesthetic. This allows us to adjust the depth of anaesthesia quickly and safely throughout the procedure.
Why it matters: Gas anaesthesia is gentle on young animals and allows for a quick wake-up and smoother recovery.
-
Our operating theatre is maintained to the highest standards of sterility, using surgical gowns, caps, gloves, sterile instruments, and aseptic techniques for every procedure.
-
Your pet will be closely monitored at every stage—before, during, and after surgery—by our experienced veterinary nursing team. We monitor heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels.
Why it matters: Continuous monitoring allows us to detect even subtle changes and respond immediately, ensuring your pet stays stable and safe.
-
Your pet will recover in a warm, quiet space with soft bedding and gentle handling. When it’s time to go home, we’ll give you clear aftercare instructions and be available to answer any questions during recovery. At our clinic, we require all pets to go home with an e-collar in place after surgery.
Why it matters: Wearing an Elizabethan collar is important because interference with the surgery site can lead to infection, wound breakdown, or delayed healing. The collar helps protect the area during the critical recovery period, ensuring the stitches remain intact and reducing the risk of complications. It's typically worn for 7–10 days, or as advised by your vet.