Desexing surgery is the removal of the reproductive organs from a male or female animal. Dogs and cats can be neutered or spayed. Neutering refers to altering a male animal, whereas spaying refers to altering females. This process makes your pet unable to reproduce. There are many benefits to desexing dogs and cats. The most obvious is the reduction of unwanted litter and the number of animals that end up in shelters every year. Desexing has benefits for the animal too as it prevents the risk of potentially deadly diseases like testicular and ovarian cancer in females and prostate problems in males.De

If your pet has had an unplanned litter or is due to come into season, spaying is recommended. Like humans, female pets come into season or ovulate, twice a year. If this takes place during a time when there are not any males around, your pet could become pregnant.

It is important to spay your pet before their first seasonal ovulating period. This usually starts when they are six months old. Spaying a spayed animal is recommended around six months of age too. This is to make sure your pet does not develop any cancerous tumours later on in life. After elective surgery, you need to allow time for the animal to recover. How long this takes depends on a number of factors.

Here is how long your pet takes to recover from desexing. Recovery time can vary, but the average dog takes about a week to recover fully. 

You can usually expect your pet to return to normal in around two weeks. Keeping your pet comfortable and warm is important.

Here is your guide to caring for your pet after surgery.

Watch for signs of pain or discomfort. Your pet may be sleepy, reluctant to play, avoid being touched or generally seem out of sorts. 

Your pet may also show signs of constipation. This could occur because of the anaesthetic. Most animals will recover fully within a few days. However, some dogs may need longer to adjust. If your pet has developed an infection, it may take longer. 

Your vet will be able to tell you if it is normal for your pet to seem a little out of sorts for the first week after surgery. Your pet may also experience some discharge or leaking of urine. This happens when the incision from the surgery is still healing. It is nothing to worry about and should clear up within a few days. 

Your pet may also experience some swelling around the area of the surgery. This is normal and should reduce within a few days. Your pet may need to wear an Elizabethan collar for a day or so after surgery. This is to protect your pet from licking or biting the area. If the stitches get wet, they may need to be removed. 

Your vet will tell you when to go back to have them looked at. The stitches will usually be removed two weeks or two weeks after surgery. It is important to keep your pet warm and comfortable while recovering. Ensure they have somewhere comfortable and warm to sleep, such as a cushion on a chair or bed. Also, ensure you regularly check after Dog desexing