Questions and Answers About Pet Desexing and Aftercare

When your pet has desexing surgery, you want it to feel comfortable afterwards. Usually, most pet desexing surgeries have no problems. However, you should take steps to ensure your pet is comfortable and has no complications. Here are some questions and answers you may have about pet desexing surgery and what to expect afterwards.

Is Desexing Surgery Major Surgery?

Desexing is a major surgical procedure, especially for females. With females, the surgeon goes into the abdominal cavity to remove the uterus and ovaries. The procedure for males is less complicated, but both genders get general anaesthesia. Therefore, your pet will need a recovery period after the surgery.

What Happens When the Pet Returns Home?

Your pet will feel groggy and may want to hide when you first bring it home. Give your pet a warm and quiet place to recover. You may want to keep other pets away from the recovering pet. Some pets may be stressed and cranky after the procedure and may growl or nip at their companions.

Can Pets Have Food After Surgery?

You can offer your pet food and water after surgery, but it may not want to eat right away. Some veterinarians suggest a half-meal soon after bringing your pet home and a regular meal later in the day. Young animals may need smaller and more frequent meals. Some pets may experience nausea and vomiting for a few hours after the procedure but should be better by the next day.

How Does One Take Care of the Stitches?

You must monitor the stitches to ensure that they heal properly and don't become infected. Don't bathe your pet for a couple of weeks, as this can introduce bacteria into the wound. Make sure your pet doesn't lick the wounds. You may need to use a cone to prevent licking. Don't let your pet roughhouse with other pets as sutures could loosen.

Can Pets Still Be Fertile After Desexing?

Female pets cannot get pregnant after desexing. Their surgeon removes their internal sex organs, including their ovaries and uterus. However, male pets can still impregnate female pets for as long as a month after surgery. Therefore, you must keep your recently desexed male pet away from any females in heat during this period. Keep your pet confined as much as possible.

Pet desexing is usually not a complicated procedure. Most pets recover promptly after the surgery and have few if any side effects. Because desexing involves sutures, make sure the sutures stay clean until the veterinarian removes them. If you have questions about desexing or its aftercare, talk to your veterinarian for more individualised answers.


Share