The changing landscape of desexing: vasectomy, ovarian sparing spay, non-surgical, or not at all? The current evidence

Dr Stuart Mason
BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS DACT
Monash Veterinary Clinic

Stuart graduated from the University of Melbourne, Australia, in 1999. After two years of mixed practice work in West Gippsland in Victoria, Stuart moved to small animal practice at Monash Veterinary Clinic in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, where he became partner in 2005. In 2012 Stuart became a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Animal Reproduction and in the same year a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. Stuart has been performing small animal reproduction work since 2002 including inseminations with fresh, chilled and frozen semen in bitches. Stuart has extensive experience in Transcervical Insemination (TCI) and has published two papers on the use of TCI with frozen semen in the bitch, one comparing pregnancy results of TCI to surgical insemination, and the other presenting continued results on frozen TCI. Stuart has special interests in assisted reproductive techniques, pyometra and the effects of nutrition on reproduction.

Has the one-sized fits all rule of: ‘desex all non-breeding animals at 6 months’ been thrown out the window? There is increased discussion amongst our clients regarding the reasons for desexing, the side effects of desexing, and potential benefits and risks of leaving animals entire. By evaluating current evidence, this lecture will allow Veterinarians to provide the best advice to their clients around when, if and how to ‘sterilise’ their pets.  

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