You may have encountered scenarios where your pet gets pregnant, delivers a litter and you are left wondering what to do with the litter. You might not have enough room or resources to cater for the extra pets and end up either asking your friends or family to take a pet. You might also end up taking the litter to a pet shop or shelter, which usually leads to overwhelmed shelters.
To avoid this, you can have your pet desexed, which can also be referred to as spaying for females and castration or neutering for males. Here's what you need to know about pet desexing:
Pet Desexing
For male pets, this involves the surgical removal of the testes or testicles. For female pets, it involves the surgical removal of the ovaries. It is usually done under general anaesthesia, meaning your pet has to be put under.
You should know that for female pets, some vets may remove the entire uterus. However, this is an extensive surgery. Simply removing the ovaries is enough.
Isn't Desexing Inhumane?
This depends on your opinion or view. It is usually argued that desexing prevents your pet's litter from being born and forced to live under stressful or uncomfortable conditions (if you lack the resources to make your pets comfortable). Most of your pet's litter may end up becoming street pets or stuck in a shelter.
Desexing Is Not Randomly Done
It is important to know that there is a recommended age to desex particular pets. This does not mean that it is impossible to desex your pet once it reaches a particular age; the suitable age bracket mainly accounts for the time your pet is old enough to get pregnant and when there are minimal risks. Such an age is usually when your pet is younger.
Therefore, as soon as you get your pet, contact a veterinarian who specifically specialises in the particular pet you own. Ask him or her about desexing and he or she will inform you of the best desexing age and list down various benefits and risks that might be involved. That way, you get a clear picture and understanding of what to expect.
Other Benefits of Desexing
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, pet desexing also carries other benefits for various pets. For example, you can find that some male dogs are desexed to help them grow bigger. A male ferret is neutered to reduce its musk smell (a kind of non-pleasant smell that male ferrets produce). A female ferret is spayed to prevent it from getting a life-threatening disease known as aplastic anaemia.
For more information about pet desexing, speak with a professional.