Ponsonby Tails - August 2009

Monday, Aug 3, 2009

Desexing, also known as spaying or neutering, is one of the most important steps in your pet's life.  Desexing has many benefits for both pets and owners. Many behavioural and health problems can both be reduced by desexing your pet.

Microchipping is the only way to clearly and permanently identify your pet. Microchipping is now required by law for any new puppy (since July 2006), but microchipping is beneficial for any pet. A microchip is the best way to ensure your pet is returned promptly if it goes missing or is impounded.

For the month of August, Ponsonby Vet Centre is running a "Desex and Microchip" promotion. All routine Desexing and microchip implantation is 20% off!   Conditions apply.

 Benefits of desexing

Desexing has many important benefits for you and your pet. Most importantly, desexing prevents unwanted puppies and kittens. Many unwanted behaviours like roaming, fighting, urine marking and mounting are sparked by reproductive instincts, so early desexing will reduce many of these problems. Desexing prevents females coming into season along with the associated problems and unwanted attention this garners. Unneutered animals are more likely to be involved in accidents due to their frequent roaming behaviour.

Neutering also has many health benefits for cats and dogs. Unneutered male dogs are at a high risk of many health problems, including prostate infections and cancer, testicular tumours, perineal tumours and hernias.
Unspayed female dogs are at a high risk of mammary tumours and pyometra (a severe infection of the uterus). Spaying female dogs prior to their first season virtually eliminates the risk of mammary tumours later in life. Spaying also reduces the chance of mammary tumours in cats. 
Neutering male cats has indirect health benefits by reducing roaming and fighting. Intact male cats are more prone to trauma, abscesses and feline AIDs.

The Procedure

Neutering is done under general anaesthesia.  Here at Ponsonby Vet Centre we take every possible step to ensure that the entire procedure is as safe and non-stressful for your pet as possible.  This begins with a thorough physical exam  by one of our vets to identify any health concerns.  This is followed by a pre-anaesthetic blood test to pick up any abnormalities with the internal organs (especially the liver and kidneys) that might not be apparent on a physical exam. 

Your pet receives a pre-medication that includes a sedative and a pain killer.  This makes them calm and relaxed, preventing any anxiety or discomfort during induction of general anaesthesia. Anaesthesia is induced using the safest modern drugs available. Every patient receives an intravenous catheter to receive IV fluids and drugs. A breathing tube is also placed in every patient to allow administration of oxygen and monitor breathing. Further painkillers or nerve blocks may be administered during anaesthesia. The patient is monitored continuously throughout anaesthesia by one of our qualified veterinary nurses. A pulse oximeter monitors the amount of oxygen in the blood and a Doppler monitor is used to measure blood pressure.

Surgery is performed in a dedicated sterile operating room using full sterile technique including masks, a surgical gown and gloves. Stitches are usually buried beneath the skin to reduce irritation and licking.After completion of the surgery additional painkillers are used to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery from anaesthesia. Most of our patients are awake and ready for a small meal soon after surgery.
Strict rest is required after surgery and your pet receives more pain medication at home. A post-operative check at 3 days ensures your pet is recovering well and any post-operative problems are detected early.

New Team Member

Sarah is our new receptionist here at Ponsonby Veterinary Centre. Sarah has recently moved from Wellington to the big city of Auckland. Having studied veterinary nursing at Weltec, Sarah will be able to help you with any questions and queries about your animals over the phone and behind the front desk.
Sarah has a cat named Brook who stays with her in Eden Terrace. Sarah has a keen interest in the arts and music