What is desexing? The decision to desex is an important decision for every dog owner. The term ‘desexing’ can be misleading as your pet will not lose their gender! Desexing is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of reproductive organs. In a female, desexing is referred to as ‘speying’ and involves the complete or partial removal of the uterus, uterine horns and ovaries. In the male, testicles are removed in a process called ‘castration’. After the surgery your pet will no longer be able to breed. Why is desexing done? Increases lifespan Council registration significantly lower Animal population control Behavioural issues e.g. less likely to roam or exhibit aggression to other dogs Reduces the risk of mammary and ovarian cancer, uterine infections and pyometra Eliminates the issue of dealing with a bitch on heat including bleeding, vocalising and confinement. Reduces the risk of many prostate, testicular and peri-anal diseases Reduces the risk of urine spraying or marking. It’s important to note that we have an over population of stray dogs in Australia and breeding should only be entered in to if you are financially prepared and educated on the breeding process. We recommend only purebred animals with appropriate pedigree papers be used for breeding. As veterinarians we believe in science and as such we base our recommendations on the most recent evidence-based research around this issue. There is a LOT of information out there on this topic so we’ve tried to summarise it for you below. RECOMMENDATION: In the overwhelming majority of cases we recommend desexing your pet due to the above reasons. Factors to consider when desexing Skeletal effects Oestrogen and testestorone (the sex hormones) are important to the closure of growth plates in the bones of pets. Desexing earlier leaves the growth plates open for longer which leaves them at a higher risk of growth plate fractures and effects their growth (their bones get longer) which can lead to orthopaedic is