Desexing, Spaying or “Fixing”

With the warmer climate in Darwin contributing to a longer breeding season for animals, desexing is particularly important to help control the local pet population and protect native wildlife. At The Ark Animal Hospital, our experienced team ensures your pet’s procedure is safe and stress-free, providing them with the best care during and after surgery.

Benefits of Dog and Cat Desexing

There are many benefits when it comes to dog and cat desexing or also know as neutering, spaying or castrating.

Health
–  Reduced risk of getting cancer or other diseases of the reproductive organs
– Reduced risk of acute uterine infections and breast cancer in females
– Females can suffer from physical and nutritional exhaustion if continually breeding.
– Pets generally live longer and healthier lives.

Behavioural
– Pets are less prone to wander, fight, and are less likely to get lost or injured
– Reduces territorial behaviour such as spraying indoors.
– In females it prevents mating behaviour and false pregnancy.

Cost
– Reduced Council rates for your dog
– No need to find homes for unwanted kittens or puppies.
– Potential cost savings for expensive surgeries from car accidents or fights, which are less likely to occur if your pet doesn’t roam around.

What is the best age to have my dog or cat desexed?

We can and do desex cats and dogs as young as 8 weeks of age. However in most cases there is no great rush and we recommend desexing your pet between 4–6 months, just after completing its primary vaccination course.

Cats can come on heat as young as 4 months of age so best not to delay it much longer to minimise “accidents”.

It’s never too late to desex. In fact, the risk of certain diseases increases with age, so desexing is even more important for older dogs.

Cost of Desexing

Please contact our clinic for costs. Do note that if your pets is obese, pregnant, on heat, have retained testicles or other health conditions then please inform our clinic staff to get an accurate costing as there may be additional costs.

Our clinic offers “Gold Desexing Packages” for dogs and cats

Desexing packages include some or all of:

• Pre Health check (will involve a thorough health assessment by our vets, ensuring that her heart, lungs etc are in good condition)
• Dental check (dental grading to see if your pet need a dental clean or tooth removal)
• Pre Anesthetic blood test (pre GA blood test will check their kidney and liver to ensure they are functioning at an adequate level for her to metabolise the anaesthetic)
• Desexing
• IV Fluid therapy (IV fluids will help stabilise their blood pressure throughout the surgery and assists in metabolising the anaesthetic after surgery)
• Nail clipping
• Extra pain killer
• Elizabeth collar
• Free stitch removal
• Treat for your pet
• No charge for minor restitching

Did you know desexing your dog will reduce your dog registration fees?

Darwin Shire
Desexed dog under 12 months – free registration
Desexed adult dog $25
Entire (un-desexed) dog $120

Palmerston Shire
Desexed dog $54.50 + GST
Entire dog $109 + GST

Pricing as of 2024

Our clinic also participates every year in the National Dog and Cat Desexing month in July. More information about this initiative

Read more

Desexing: an opportunity to change a life

Humping