Did you know July is National Pet Desexing Month?

DESEXING both cats and dogs is a worldwide recommendation, with July being National Pet Desexing Month.

There are a range of medical and behavioural benefits in doing so, apart from the obvious reason of minimising unwanted litters.

Entire male pets have higher testosterone levels, increasing their tendencies to roam, mount others and be more dominant/aggressive.

Desexing reduces these hormones which in turn reduces these urges, making them more manageable, with less fighting and wandering. It does not change their character or personality.

Entire male and female pets’ urine is often more pungent and used to mark their territory. Following desexing, this problem is often eliminated or at the very least reduced.

The medical benefits to desexing are enormous. The reduced risk of developing mammary carcinoma (breast cancer) in females and prostate disease in males. Mature entire females commonly develop a life-threatening uterine infection called ‘pyometra’; this would not happen in a desexed female.

Common myths including pets becoming fat, lazy or needing to have a litter first are indeed myths. Even the costs involve outweigh those of an undesexed pet in the long run.

It is a day procedure, and preferably done at around six months of age, but can, and should still be done even if your pet is older.

The Torquay and Surfcoast Veterinary Clinic is offering 20 per cent off desexing bookings made in July. Bookings must be made before July 31 to receive the discount. The procedure must also be scheduled to take place before October 31.

Phone the Torquay and Surfcoast Veterinary Clinic (29 Surf Coast Highway, Torquay) on 5261 4137 to make your booking.

Doctor Kate Gittings is the proud owner of Torquay and Surfcoast Veterinary Clinic. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2001 and is passionate about companion and native animal health and welfare.