What is Cat Desexing?

Cat desexing, also known as sterilisation or "fixing," is a surgical procedure that prevents your cat from reproducing. The procedure varies between male and female cats:

Female Cats (Spaying/Ovariohysterectomy)

Spaying involves the complete removal of the ovaries and uterus through a small abdominal incision. This procedure eliminates heat cycles and prevents reproduction. The surgery typically takes 20-45 minutes under general anaesthesia.

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Male Cats (Castration/Neutering)

Neutering involves the removal of both testicles through two small incisions in the scrotum. This is a less invasive procedure than female spaying, taking approximately 10-20 minutes and often requiring no external sutures due to the small incision size.

Health Benefits of Cat Desexing

Health Benefits That Extend Your Cat's Life

Desexing provides significant long-term health advantages for both male and female cats.

‍Female cats (spaying) who are desexed before their first heat cycle have less than 0.5% risk of developing mammary cancer, compared to significantly higher rates in intact females. The procedure completely eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometra) and ovarian cancer by removing these organs entirely.

Male cats (neutering) benefit from elimination of testicular cancer risk and reduced likelihood of prostate problems. Additionally, neutered males experience fewer hormone-driven health complications and typically live longer, healthier lives due to reduced fighting and territorial behaviours.

Behavioural Improvements

Behavioural Improvements for Indoor Living

Even indoor cats benefit tremendously from desexing due to significant behavioural improvements. Female cats who aren't spayed can come into heat every 15-21 days, leading to persistent yowling, calling, and restless behaviour that disrupts household peace. This vocalisation often occurs at night and can be extremely distressing for both cats and their families.

Male cats experience dramatic behavioural changes after neutering. Undesexed males often spray urine to mark territory, creating unpleasant odours throughout the home. They're also more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviours with other household cats and attempt to escape outdoors in search of mates.

Fixed Price Cat Desexing

Service Price*
Standard castrate $200
Standard spey $350
In-season (heat) surcharge $50
Pregnancy (in-utero) surcharge $100

Prices are indicative only*

The above cost estimates includes:

  • Pre-surgical examination & consultation
  • General anaesthesia and monitoring
  • Intravenous fluid therapy
  • Medications and injections
  • Post-operative monitoring
  • Suture removal

Additional costs that may apply:

  • Pre general anaesthesia blood test
  • Heat or pregnancy surcharge
  • If male cat does not have both testicles descended

Why Choose ASC for Your Dog's Desexing Surgery?

  • Dr Jas has over 21 years of experience as a vet.
  • Quality care at affordable prices.
  • Advanced equipment and surgical techniques
  • Proven track record and exceptional patient outcomes
  • State-of-the-art surgical equipment and modern fixation methods

Cat Desexing Surgical Procedure

Pre-Operative Preparation

  1. Health examination: Complete physical assessment
  2. Fasting: 12-hour food fast, water until 2 hours before surgery
  3. Weight assessment: Accurate weight for anaesthetic dosing
  4. Blood work: Pre-anaesthetic screening for adult cats (optional)

Day of Surgery

Female Cat Spaying Procedure:

  1. Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia with continuous monitoring
  2. Surgical preparation: Sterile surgical site preparation
  3. Incision: Small 2-3cm incision
  4. Organ location: Locating Y-shaped uterus in abdomen
  5. Ovary removal: Careful removal of both ovaries
  6. Uterus removal: Complete removal of uterine body
  7. Ligasure use – Advanced vessel-sealing device that cauterises and seals blood vessels, reducing bleeding and surgical timelayer closure with absorbable sutures
  8. Closure: Multi-layer closure with absorbable sutures

Male Cat Castration Procedure:

  1. Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia with monitoring
  2. Positioning: Dorsal recumbency with sterile preparation
  3. Incision: Incision made at scrotum
  4. Removal: Careful removal of both testicles
  5. Closure: Often no sutures required due to small incisions
  6. Recovery: Quick recovery due to minimal invasive nature

Post-Operative Care and Recovery

Immediate Post-Surgery (0-24 hours)

  • Warm, quiet environment: Comfortable recovery space
  • Monitoring: Close observation for normal recovery
  • Limited activity: Restrict jumping and vigorous activity
  • Pain management: Prescribed pain relief medications
  • Small meal: Light meal if not nauseous

Recovery

For Female Cats
  • Strict confinement: Indoor only until suture removal
  • Elizabethan collar: Prevent licking of incision site
  • Daily wound monitoring: Check for swelling, discharge, or separation
  • Activity restriction: No jumping on furniture or climbing
  • Litter box: Use non-clumping litter to prevent incision contamination
For Male Cats
  • Indoor confinement: Keep indoors for 7-10 days
  • Monitor incision sites: Small wounds should heal quickly
  • Separate from females: May still have viable sperm for 1 week
  • Normal activity: Usually resume normal activity within 2-3 days
  • Watch for complications: Swelling or discharge from incision sites

Ongoing Care

  • Suture removal: Typically 10-14 days for females
  • Gradual activity increase: Slowly return to normal activities
  • Follow-up appointment: Veterinary check to ensure proper healing
  • Return to outdoor access: When fully healed and cleared by vet

FAQs

  • Do indoor cats need desexing?

    Indoor cats can slip outside whilst in heat or seeking mates can disappear for days, facing dangers like traffic, disease, and predators. Desexing eliminates this drive to escape, making cats more content to remain safely indoors.

  • At what age should I desex my kitten?

    The optimal age is 4-6 months, before the first heat cycle in females and before territorial behaviours develop in males.

  • Will my cat gain weight after desexing?

    Weight gain is possible due to reduced metabolism, but it's preventable with proper diet management and exercise.

  • How long until my cat is back to normal?

    Male cats typically recover within 2-3 days, while females may need 7-10 days for full recovery.

  • Will desexing stop my male cat from spraying?

    Neutering eliminates spraying behaviour in about 90% of male cats, though established behaviours may take time to resolve.

Further Readings:

Council Registration & Legal Compliance

Council Registration and Legal Benefits

Registration Discounts

Most Australian councils offer Significant lifetime registration discounts for desexed cats throughout Melbourne.

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Legal Compliance

  • Mandatory desexing states: Compliance with legal requirements
  • Permit exemptions: Limited exemptions for registered breeders
  • Penalties: Fines for non-compliance in mandatory states
  • Proof required: Veterinary certificate of desexing status

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When to Contact Your Vet Post Surgery

When to Contact Your Veterinarian Post Cat Desex Surgery

Immediate Concerns

  • Excessive bleeding: Active bleeding from incision sites
  • Difficulty breathing: Respiratory distress or abnormal breathing
  • Pale gums: Signs of internal bleeding or shock
  • Collapse: Sudden weakness or collapse
  • Persistent vomiting: Vomiting beyond 12 hours post-surgery

General Concerns

  • Loss of appetite: Not eating beyond 24 hours
  • Lethargy: Unusual lethargy after first day
  • Incision problems: Swelling, discharge, or separation
  • Behavioural changes: Unusual hiding or aggression
  • Litter box issues: Difficulty urinating or unusual litter box behaviour

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