Your vet may have recommended Sterilisation for your pet. Although it’s routine surgery, it’s major – so understandably, you may worry. You may wonder, “Should I sterilise my pet? When should I sterilise my pet? What happens on the day of surgery?”
This article – written by a veterinarian at a pet clinic in Singapore – discusses the above issues in dogs and cats.
1) Reduces womb infection (pyometra) risk
When unsterilized female pets repeatedly go on heat, womb cysts form – predisposing to pyometra. Pyometra is life-threatening. Pets will die without emergency surgery. Surgery on sick animals carries a greater risk than surgery on healthy animals, so it’s better to spay and minimize pyometra risk.
Signs of pyometra are usually vague and include vomiting, lethargy and reduced appetite. Smelly, discolored vaginal discharge may be present or absent. If you suspect pyometra in your pet, contact a vet immediately.
2) Reduces/removes the risk of some cancers
~80% of cat breast cancer cases and ~50% of dog breast cancer cases are malignant (malignant cancers invade and damage other organs). The lower the number of heats a female pet experiences before sterilisation, the lower the eventual breast cancer risk. Also, spaying eliminates womb cancer risk.
3) Eliminates unwanted behaviour in unspayed cats
Cats in heat get restless and yowl. In tropical countries like Singapore, unsterilised cats can go on heat throughout the year. Imagine the complaints from your neighbours!
There are many advantages of neutering your male pet.
1) Reduces unwanted hormone-related behaviours
Unsterilised male pets often mark their territory (including furniture) with urine. Unsterilised male pets also tend to escape from home and look for female animals. This exposes them to diseases (e.g. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) from fights with other animals.
Unsterilised pets also tend to hump humans/other animals.
2) Eliminates testicular cancer risk
The risk of testicular cancer increases with age. Neutering removes the risk.
3) Eliminates the risk of twisted testicles
Twisted testicles are painful and life-threatening. Signs include swollen testicles, lethargy, vomiting etc. If you suspect twisted testicles in your dog, contact an emergency vet clinic in Singapore immediately.
4) Reduces risk of enlarged prostate
Older, unsterilised male dogs often develop enlarged prostates. This can cause peeing/pooping difficulties.
5) Reduces risk of perianal gland hernia and tumour
Hormonal stimulation, which occurs in unsterilised male dogs, increases their risk of developing perianal tumours and hernias.
Puppies and kittens reach sexual maturity from 6 months of age (although large-breed puppies generally hit “puberty” later and some kittens hit “puberty” at 4 months old).
Vets generally recommend spaying before the first heat. Many vets recommend that kittens and small-to-medium dogs be sterilised at 6 months old. It’s best to sterilise large-breed pets later – usually after 12 months of age – as it has been shown that they need their reproductive hormones to help their bones and joints to mature. However, these are general guidelines. Consult your vet for specific advice.
Vets for Life offers various types of surgeries, including cat/dog sterilisation. However, sterilisation is not a walk-in procedure. It has to be pre-booked. Fast your pet before the surgery, as general anaesthesia is dangerous for pets with full stomachs. Sterilisations are packaged with a pre-surgery consult. Your vet will take a history and perform a physical exam to determine your pet’s suitability for surgery under general anaesthesia. Vets for Life offers bloodwork to detect underlying issues. Your vet may also recommend additional procedures (e.g. dew claw removal) to be done along with sterilisation if required. Surgery will be done only if your pet is deemed suitable.
General anaesthesia medically induces unconsciousness, so your pet will not be awake or feel any pain during the surgery. A licensed veterinarian will perform the surgery in our state-of-the-art, sterile (germ-free) operating theatres, while veterinary technicians will monitor your pet’s vital signs (e.g. heartbeat) with Drager patient monitoring systems. The clinic will contact you after the surgery, when your pet is sufficiently awake. Post-surgical pain relief will be given to reduce discomfort. In Singapore, your pet is discharged on the same day if the surgery goes smoothly.
Proper post-operative care minimises complications. Normally, we would require you to limit your pet’s activity and place them on a cone to avoid disrupting the surgical stitches. The vet clinic will give you specific post-surgical instructions. They will also dispense pain medication and wound cleaning supplies for your pet.
Most pet clinics in Singapore will recommend a post-surgery consult. Monitor your pet in the meantime. If you notice any issues (e.g. tiredness/poor appetite beyond 1-2 days, wound swelling/discharge, difficulty urinating), contact your vet promptly. If your pet does not urinate for over a day or you see internal organs protruding from the wound, contact an emergency vet clinic in Singapore immediately.
Your pet can resume their normal lifestyle if the review goes well.
Sterilisation is a good investment that benefits your pet. Consult our vets for further advice.
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