Dog Desexing
Safe, Professional Desexing for Male and Female Dogs
Desexing is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in veterinary practice and plays an important role in your dog’s long-term health and wellbeing.
At Lutwyche Veterinary Surgery, we perform dog desexing using modern anaesthesia, comprehensive patient monitoring and tailored pain management to help ensure your pet’s safety and comfort throughout the procedure.
Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy or considering desexing an adult dog, our experienced veterinarians are happy to discuss the most appropriate timing for your pet.
What Is Dog Desexing?
Dog desexing is a surgical procedure that prevents reproduction.
- Male dogs undergo castration, where both testicles are surgically removed.
- Female dogs undergo ovariohysterectomy (spey), where the ovaries and uterus are removed.
These procedures are performed under general anaesthesia.
Benefits of Dog Desexing
Desexing offers several health and lifestyle benefits.
Depending on your dog’s age, breed and individual circumstances, benefits may include:
- Preventing unwanted litters
- Eliminating the risk of uterine infection (pyometra) in female dogs
- Reducing the risk of mammary tumours when performed before or around the first season
- Preventing testicular cancer in male dogs
- Reducing the risk of some prostate diseases
- Reducing roaming behaviour in some dogs
- Reducing hormone-related behaviours in some individuals
Our veterinarians will discuss both the benefits and considerations so you can make an informed decision for your dog.
When Should My Dog Be Desexed?
The ideal age for desexing depends on several factors, including:
- Breed
- Adult size
- Sex
- Lifestyle
- Existing medical conditions
There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Some dogs benefit from earlier desexing, while others may benefit from waiting until they are more physically mature.
During your consultation, we’ll recommend the most appropriate timing based on your individual dog.
What Happens on the Day of Surgery?
Your dog’s safety is our priority.
On the day of surgery:
- Your dog will receive a pre-operative examination.
- A veterinarian will perform a thorough physical assessment before anaesthesia.
- An individual anaesthetic plan will be developed.
- Pain relief is provided before, during and after surgery.
- Your dog is carefully monitored throughout the procedure by our veterinary team.
- Once awake, your dog will continue to be monitored during recovery before going home.
We’ll also provide detailed home-care instructions before discharge.
Aftercare Following Desexing
Most dogs recover well after surgery with appropriate home care.
During recovery, we generally recommend:
- Restricting exercise for approximately 10–14 days.
- Preventing licking of the surgical wound using an Elizabethan collar or recovery suit if required.
- Administering prescribed medications exactly as directed.
- Monitoring the incision daily for swelling, discharge or redness.
- Returning for a post-operative recheck if recommended.
Our team is always available if you have concerns during your dog’s recovery.
Is Dog Desexing Safe?
Desexing is a routine surgical procedure performed every day in veterinary practices across Australia.
Although every anaesthetic carries some degree of risk, modern anaesthetic protocols, patient monitoring and pain management have made the procedure very safe for the vast majority of healthy dogs.
Before surgery, we’ll assess your dog’s overall health and discuss any factors that may influence their anaesthetic risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I desex my dog before the first season?
Recommendations vary depending on your dog’s breed, size and individual circumstances. We’ll discuss the latest evidence and help you decide on the most appropriate timing.
How long does recovery take?
Most dogs recover well within 10–14 days, although complete internal healing takes longer. We recommend restricting activity during the initial recovery period.
Will desexing change my dog’s personality?
Desexing does not change your dog’s personality. Some hormone-related behaviours may decrease, but your dog’s temperament, training and environment remain the biggest influences on behaviour.
Does my dog need blood tests before surgery?
For many pets, pre-anaesthetic blood testing is recommended to help identify underlying health issues that may not be obvious during a physical examination. We’ll discuss whether this is appropriate for your dog.
Why Choose Lutwyche Veterinary Surgery?
We understand that surgery can be an anxious experience for both pets and their owners.
Our experienced team is committed to providing compassionate care, modern anaesthetic protocols and personalised pain management to help ensure your dog’s procedure is as safe and comfortable as possible.
From your initial consultation through to post-operative recovery, we’re here to support both you and your pet every step of the way.Book Your Dog’s Desexing Procedure
If you’re considering desexing your dog or would like to discuss the best timing for surgery, we’d be happy to help.
Contact Lutwyche Veterinary Surgery on (07) 3161 6237 or book online to arrange a consultation with one of our veterinarians.