EMERGENCYDesexing your pet can be a difficult and emotional decision. At Peninsula Vet Care, we recommend desexing your pet for several reasons, unless you are planning to breed or show your purebred animal. Here are some FAQs about desexing your pet, covering benefits, suggested age and more. Furthermore, check out our video highlighting what to expect.
For most animals and breeds (mainly cats and dogs), they should be desexed around six months of age. Rabbits are usually desexed around four months of age.
However, larger breed dogs are prone to hip dysplasia and certain types of cancer, so they are ideally desexed when fully grown (around 12 months). This can reduce the risk of disease, but may not be suitable for all dogs.
The benefits to desexing your animal include:
- Reducing the risk of ovarian, uterine and mammary cancers and disease for females, testicular and prostate cancer and disease for males. Pyometra (severe life-threatening uterine infections) and mammary cancers can be prevented by desexing.
- Avoiding unwanted puppies, kittens, or little ones!
- Preventing unwanted hormonal behaviours. Male dogs, specifically, can develop aggressive territorial behaviour, which can lead to unwanted barking, spraying (urinating), and biting. Females will bleed and vocalise when in heat and can often become aggressive.
If would like more information, feel free to contact one of our vets to chat about desexing your pet.
Our Locations
Emergency & Referral Hospital Open 24/7
161 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington VIC 3931 
(03) 5979 9600 
hospital@penvetreferral.com.au
