Desexing your pet is another important part of being a responsible pet owner in Hong Kong. Desexing your pet not only avoid unwanted babies but also prevents your pets from nasty diseases such as pyometra, mammary gland cancer and prostate problems. As you are probably aware that a relevant HK authority has to kill thousands of abandoned and stray animals every year because no one will look after them. This problem is ongoing and we encourage you to be part of the solution by timely desexing your pets. Here are some myths and facts about desexing your pets.
Myth : Desexing is dangerous!
Fact : No, it is NOT. Desexing is considered a basic and routine surgical procedure. But like any other surgical procedures, it is done under general anesthesia , therefore carries some risks. Unfortunately there is no such thing as 100% safe general anesthesia but it is a calculated risk only. Just like the kind of risk you take when you walk on the road or take a taxi or bus or airplane to travel. All veterinary surgeons are trained to perform these procedures proficiently. As a matter of fact, of all the surgical procedures your veterinary surgeon has performed, the desexing procedures are the ones he or she would have performed in highest number of time. That makes the desexing the safest procedure of them all.
Myth : Desexing is expensive!
Fact : No, it is NOT. Another soft tissue surgical procedure that takes the same amount of time to perform in comparison to desexing will cost you 2 to 3 times more. Veterinary profession has deliberately made desexing affordable to encourage you to do it. It is our contribution to solve this ongoing stray pet problem. In fact, it is a bargain.
Myth : Desexing is very painful!
Fact : No, it is NOT. It is performed under general anesthesia therefore your pet does not feel the procedure at all. Like any other surgical procedures, there is some post-operative pain but it generally is a minor pain and is tolerated very well. If significant pain is anticipated, your veterinary surgeon will dispense some pain killers or you may request the same if your pet is especially sensitive to pain.
Myth : Desexing will make my pet fat!
Fact : No, it does NOT. Desexing does not automatically make your pet fat. It does, however, may make it easier to get fat. But good exercise and proper diet can keep your pet fit and trimmed. The most common reasons of obesity in dogs and cats are lack of exercise and over feeding. Not desexing.
Myth : Do not desex too early. Desexing a female dog after 1 or 2 heats is much better.
Fact : One of the greatest benefits of desexing your female dog before she has her first heat is its preventive effect on mammary gland cancer. Desexing before the first heat is 100% effective in preventing mammary gland cancer. The preventive effect reduces by 15-17% if desexing is done after the first heat. The effect reduces further 15-17% if desexing is done after the 2nd heat. So it does not need a genius to figure out that letting your female dogs have a few heats before desexing is not a good idea at all.
Myth : Desexing changes my pet’s behavior!
Fact : Desexing may change your pet’s behavior but it will be in a good way. In male animals, desexing takes away male sex hormone called testosterone. Therefore, it may reduce aggression and make him a much better and safer companion for you and all the people around you. In female animals, their ovaries will only come into action when they are in heat. Which is about a few weeks a year only. The rest of the time, hormonally and behaviorally speaking, they are behaving as though they are desexed.
Myth : Flutd is more common in desexed male cats!
Fact : No, it is NOT. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (Flutd) is known to happen in both desexed and entire male cats equally.
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