Meet Miffy, a six month old domestic long haired cat. At six months old, Miffy is mature enough and ready for her desexing operation. Desexing any animal is a day procedure at Reservoir Veterinary Clinic. Miffy's owners brought her in on the morning of her operation day. On admission, Miffy was weighed and given a thorough check by our veterinarian before being housed in a comfy cage in our hospital.

Miffy was placed on intravenous fluids, administered through a catheter in one of her forelegs. We place all of our surgical patients on fluids to support their liver and kidneys throughout the procedure, to help regulate their blood pressure and to ensure that we always have access to a vein if needed.

Nurse Rebecca perpared for Miffy's procedure before Miffy was removed from her cage and brought to the preparation room. In the preparation room, Miffy was placed under anaesthetic by a tube that was placed in her trachea to allow the anaesthetic gas and oxygen to be administered. This tube also ensures that her airway remains open while she is asleep. Once induced, Miffy's fur was clipped and her skin was prepared for surgery. She was then moved to the surgical theatre. Dr Tanya scrubbed her hands and put on her sterile gown and gloves, ready to operate on Miffy.

Desexing a female cat, also called spaying, is an abdominal surgery involving the complete removal of the animal's uterus and ovaries. It is a routine procedure for our veterinarians and nurses, who perform several every week. Desexing male animals, or castrating, is a less invasive procedure as male sex organs are external to the abdominal wall.

Nurse Rebecca monitored Miffy's vital signs and her anaesthetic depth throughout the procedure. A tattoo was placed in Miffy's left ear as a permanent sign that she has been desexed. The operation went smoothly and Miffy woke up well on her comfy bed. She stayed on fluids for several hours after the procedure to continue to support her liver and kidneys as they processed the drugs she had been given. She was given pain relieving drugs and antibiotics to make sure that she was comfortable. Later that afternoon, Miffy's owners came to collect her and take her home. They were given full instructions regarding Miffy's aftercare requirements and will bring her back in two weeks for her to have her stitches removed.

At Reservoir Veterinary Clinic, we highly recommend desexing of all pets and at any age from six months old. Desexing can get more complicated (and expensive) the older the pet gets so the earlier age they are desexed the better. Desexing prevents unwanted litters adding to the burden our animal shelters are bearing. It also protects your pet from several cancers and conditions that can affect them as they get older, such as testicular cancer, prostate issues, pyometra (infected uterus) and phantom pregnancies. It reduces the occurrence of some behaviour issues, such as urine spraying, territorial aggression, restless behaviour in 'in season' females.

If you have any questions about desexing or would like to book an appointment, please contact us and one of our friendly veterinary nurses would be delighted to help you out.

Other related articles:

• Desexing - sterilisation and your pet 
• General anaesthetics - a safe approach for your pet