Desexing

Desexing Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits at Small Friends Veterinary Hospital

Congratulations on your new small friend! Desexing, also called neutering, is an important part of responsible pet ownership. It helps reduce unwanted litters, prevents reproductive health problems, and can support better long-term behaviour in dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Veterinary team performing pet desexing at Small Friends Veterinary Hospital
  • What Is Desexing?

Castration (males): removal of both testicles

Speying (females): removal of both ovaries and most of the womb

These are major surgical procedures performed under veterinary anaesthesia. At Small Friends Veterinary Hospital, all patients receive:

  • A physical examination before surgery
  • Optional pre-anaesthetic blood tests to check liver, kidney, and blood health
  • Safe, modern anaesthetic agents
  • Monitoring during and after surgery

For more information on anaesthesia, see our Anaesthesia Page.

  • Why Desex Your Pet?

  • Dogs & Cats

    • Prevents heat cycles, unwanted pregnancies, and reproductive health issues

    • Reduces anti-social behaviours like aggression, roaming, marking, and spraying

    • Early speying lowers the risk of breast cancer in females

    Rabbits

    • Up to 80% of female rabbits develop uterine cancer if not spayed

    • Desexing reduces unwanted sexual or dominance behaviours

    Desexing generally does not change your pet’s personality, although a slight reduction in metabolism may occur, so dietary adjustments may be needed.

  • When to Desex
  • Cats: by 3 months of age
  • Dogs: by 6 months of age
  • Female dogs: ideally at 6 months to avoid spey incontinence
  • Male rabbits: 3–4 months
  • Female rabbits: from 6 months

It is not necessary for a female to have a litter before speying. Early desexing is best for health and behavioural outcomes.

  • Preparing for Surgery

  • Dogs and cats must fast from midnight before surgery (water allowed).

  • Rabbits do not fast before surgery.

  • Drop-off is between 8:00–8:30am; small friends spend the day in hospital under supervision.

After surgery, your pet may be sleepy from anaesthesia, but a long-acting pain injection ensures comfort for about 24 hours. Stitches must remain clean and dry until removal, usually 10 days after surgery.

Book Your Pet’s Desexing Surgery

Protect your small friend’s health and well-being. Call Small Friends Veterinary Hospital to arrange a desexing appointment.

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