Desexing (also called neutering or sterilisation) is a surgical procedure that prevents your pet from reproducing. The health benefits extend far beyond population control — desexed pets are protected from certain cancers, infections, and behavioural issues associated with hormones and mating instincts.
Benefits of Desexing Your Pet
The positive outcomes for desexed pets are well-documented by veterinary research. Both male and female animals experience significant health and behavioural benefits.
Benefits for Female Pets (Spaying)
Spaying is the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. Benefits include:
- Prevents pyometra: A life-threatening uterine infection that affects unspayed females
- Eliminates ovarian and uterine cancer risk: These organs are completely removed during surgery
- Reduces mammary tumour risk: Spaying before the first heat cycle significantly reduces the risk of mammary cancer
- No heat cycles: Eliminates the behavioural changes, vocalisation, and bleeding associated with being in season
- No unwanted pregnancies: Prevents accidental litters of puppies or kittens
Benefits for Male Pets (Castration)
Castration is the surgical removal of the testicles. Benefits include:
- Eliminates testicular cancer risk: The testicles are completely removed during surgery
- Reduces prostate disease: Significantly lowers the risk of prostate enlargement and infection
- Less roaming: Desexed males are far less likely to escape and roam in search of a mate
- Reduced territorial marking: Particularly beneficial for cats, reducing urine spraying indoors
- Less aggression: Hormone-driven aggression towards other animals is reduced
Community Benefits
Every desexing procedure helps reduce the number of unwanted pets in shelters across Australia. Thousands of healthy dogs and cats are euthanised each year due to overpopulation. Desexing your pet is a responsible choice that benefits the entire community.
Desexing Options at Gippsland Veterinary Hospital
We offer flexible options for desexing your pet, whether you prefer a one-off service or ongoing wellness care.
Standalone Desexing Surgery
Book desexing as a single procedure at Gippsland Veterinary Hospital. This is ideal for pet owners who prefer to pay for individual services as needed. Our standalone desexing includes:
- Pre-anaesthetic health check
- General anaesthesia and monitoring
- Surgical desexing procedure
- Pain relief medication
- Post-operative recovery monitoring
- Take-home care instructions
Desexing with Best Mates Wellness Plan
Best Mates is a comprehensive pet wellness plan built for Australian pets, available across our national network of Apiam veterinary clinics. Best Mates offers three package options to suit your pet’s life stage — and Desexing is one of them.
The three Best Mates packages are:
- Desexing — standard surgical desexing for your cat or dog, with the option for chemical castration
- Dental Scale & Polish — comprehensive dental care including x-rays and dental charting
- Flea, Tick & Worm Prevention — complete parasite protection covering heartworm, fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms
All Best Mates members also receive unlimited consultations at any participating Apiam clinic across Australia. Whether you’re at home in Maffra or travelling interstate, your pet receives the same high standard of care at any network hospital.
Learn more about Best Mates or ask our team at Gippsland Veterinary Hospital which package is right for your pet.
When to Desex Your Pet
The optimal age for desexing depends on your pet’s species, breed, and individual health factors. Our Gippsland Veterinary Hospital veterinarians will recommend the best timing for your specific pet.
Cats
Most cats can be desexed from four months of age. Early desexing is particularly important for cats as they can become sexually mature and fall pregnant from as young as four months old.
Dogs — Small to Medium Breeds
For small to medium breed dogs (under 20kg adult weight), desexing is typically recommended between five and six months of age, before the first heat cycle in females.
Dogs — Large and Giant Breeds
For large and giant breed dogs (such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, and Rottweilers), recent veterinary research suggests delaying desexing until the dog has reached skeletal maturity. This may be 12 to 18 months of age depending on the breed. Delaying desexing in these breeds may reduce the risk of certain orthopaedic conditions and some cancers. Our veterinarians can advise on the optimal timing for your large breed dog.
The Desexing Procedure
Desexing is a routine surgical procedure performed under general anaesthesia. Whether you choose standalone desexing or the Best Mates wellness plan, our experienced veterinary team follows the same strict surgical protocols to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort.
- Pre-Anaesthetic Health Check: Before surgery, your pet receives a full physical examination to ensure they are fit for anaesthesia. We may recommend pre-anaesthetic blood tests, particularly for older pets.
- Anaesthesia and Monitoring: Your pet is placed under general anaesthesia using modern, safe anaesthetic agents. A dedicated veterinary nurse monitors their heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels, and temperature throughout the procedure.
- The Surgical Procedure:
- For females (spaying): The veterinarian makes a small incision in the abdomen to remove the ovaries and uterus. The incision is closed with sutures.
- For males (castration): A small incision is made near the scrotum (dogs) or on the scrotum (cats) to remove the testicles. Blood vessels are sealed using modern surgical techniques.
- Recovery: After surgery, your pet is moved to a warm, quiet recovery area where they are closely monitored as the anaesthesia wears off. Most pets are ready to go home the same day.
- Post-Operative Care Instructions: Our veterinary team will provide you with detailed instructions for caring for your pet at home, including wound care, activity restriction, and pain relief.
Post-Operative Care
Proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery. Following your veterinarian’s instructions will help prevent complications.
- Rest and confinement: Keep your pet quiet and restrict exercise for 10 to 14 days to allow the incision to heal
- Monitor the incision: Check the wound daily for signs of redness, swelling, discharge, or opening of the sutures
- Prevent licking: Use an Elizabethan collar (cone) or surgical suit to prevent your pet from licking or chewing the incision
- Pain relief: Administer any prescribed pain medication as directed
- No bathing: Keep the incision dry — no baths or swimming until the wound has fully healed
- Follow-up appointment: Return to Gippsland Veterinary Hospital for a post-operative check and suture removal if required
Best Mates members benefit from unlimited consultations, so any post-operative concerns can be addressed at no additional cost.
Desexing Requirements in VIC
In VIC, desexing requirements are regulated by local councils. Many councils offer reduced registration fees for desexed pets, and some have mandatory desexing requirements for certain breeds or circumstances. Contact for information about registration requirements and desexing incentives in your area.
At Gippsland Veterinary Hospital, we can also combine desexing with microchip implantation — a legal requirement for all dogs and cats in Australia — while your pet is under anaesthesia.
