Surgical Services for Dogs and Cats in Victoria
Most conversations about veterinary surgical services in Victoria start with a single word, spay or neuter, and stop there. That is a shame, because for a great many dogs and cats there is more than one reasonable option and they are not interchangeable. Some remove hormones, some do not. Some are quick, some are more involved. Our practice lays the choices out with their trade-offs, answers what you ask, and then supports whichever decision you make for your own animal.
Sterilization Choices for Dogs and Cats in Victoria
We offer five distinct sterilization procedures rather than one default. Every one of them prevents unwanted litters. Where they differ is what else they do, and that difference matters most in the arguments owners actually have: growth plates, body shape, continence, behaviour, and long-term disease risk. There is no single correct answer for every dog or cat, and anyone who tells you otherwise is simplifying. What we can do is set out what each option removes, what it leaves in place, and what the practical consequences are, then let you weigh that against your own animal’s breed, size, age, and household. Timing matters as much as method. For some breeds the sensible course is to wait until the growth plates have closed, and for others there is little reason to delay. We will give you our view on timing for your particular dog or cat rather than a blanket age.
Brachycephalic Airway Surgery in Victoria
Flat-faced dogs and cats are built with soft tissue that has not shortened along with the skull, and the result is an airway that has to work harder for every breath. We carry out named airway procedures for these breeds, including correction of stenotic nares, where the nostril openings are too narrow, and shortening of an elongated soft palate, where excess tissue at the back of the throat sits over the airway. We also address cleft palate. Owners of pugs, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Persian cats often describe snoring, noisy breathing, gagging after eating, or a dog who overheats on a short walk in summer. Those signs warrant an airway assessment rather than home management. Not every flat-faced pet needs surgery, and part of the appointment is working out whether yours does.
Options for Male Pets
Castration removes the testicles and with them the main source of male hormones. A vasectomy interrupts the vas deferens instead, so the animal is sterile but keeps hormone production. Owners choose between them for different reasons, and the right one depends on breed, adult size, and what you want from the years after.
Options for Female Pets
Spay, also called ovariohysterectomy, removes the ovaries and the uterus. Ovariectomy removes the ovaries and leaves the uterus. An ovary-sparing spay does the reverse, removing the uterus while leaving the ovaries so hormone production continues. Each carries a different set of consequences and we will go through all three before anything is booked.
All veterinary services
Pre-surgical X-ray and lab
Dental care and extractions
Puppy first-year guide
About our veterinary team
General and Specific Surgical Procedures
Alongside sterilization and airway work, our veterinarians carry out a range of general and specific procedures for dogs and cats. That includes soft tissue surgery, mass and lump removal with the sample sent for laboratory analysis, wound repair, and abdominal procedures. Having digital X-ray, ultrasound, and the in-house laboratory in the same building means the pre-surgical picture is usually complete before a patient is booked rather than assembled afterwards. Where a case calls for equipment or training beyond general practice, we say so plainly and refer to our specialist referral partners. No veterinarian on our roster holds a specialty board certification, and we do not describe our surgery in specialist terms. Every surgical patient goes home with a named point of contact and a recheck arranged, so nobody is left wondering at the weekend whether an incision looks the way it should. Sutures, where they are used, are checked at that recheck rather than left to you to judge.
Anaesthesia, Monitoring, and Recovery
Anaesthesia is the part owners worry about, and reasonably so. Every surgical patient has a pre-anaesthetic assessment, and bloodwork is recommended beforehand so the anaesthetic plan is built around that individual animal rather than a standard protocol. During the procedure a member of the team monitors the patient continuously. Pain control starts before the first incision rather than after recovery, because it works better that way. Most dogs and cats go home the same day with written aftercare instructions covering activity restriction, the incision site, feeding, and what would warrant a phone call. We would far rather hear from you about something minor than have you wait and wonder.
Confirming Surgical Availability in Victoria
Surgical days are scheduled around anaesthetic staffing and theatre availability, so we ask that you call to confirm availability rather than assume a date. That call also gives us the chance to ask a few questions up front, which usually saves a wasted trip: your pet’s age and weight, what you have noticed at home, whether there have been previous anaesthetics, and, for sterilization, roughly where you have got to in your own thinking. Dr. Vandeep Shergill founded this practice in 2017 and continues to practise here, and the surgical approach described on this page reflects how the owners want the work done. Reception will also tell you about fasting before an anaesthetic, what time to arrive, and roughly when to expect a call from us on the day.
FAQ
What is the difference between a spay, an ovariectomy, and an ovary-sparing spay?
A spay removes the ovaries and the uterus. An ovariectomy removes the ovaries only. An ovary-sparing spay removes the uterus and leaves the ovaries in place, so hormone production continues. All three prevent litters, and they differ in what they leave behind. We go through the trade-offs before booking.
Why would an owner choose a vasectomy over a castration?
A vasectomy sterilizes without removing the source of male hormones, which some owners prefer for reasons connected to growth, body shape, or behaviour. A castration removes the testicles and the hormones with them. Which suits your dog depends on breed, adult size, and your own priorities.
My French bulldog snores and gets tired quickly. Does he need airway surgery?
Noisy breathing, gagging, and poor heat tolerance may be signs of a restricted airway and warrant an assessment. Not every flat-faced dog needs surgery. Book an appointment so a veterinarian can look at the nostrils, the soft palate, and how he breathes under mild exertion.
Is bloodwork before surgery necessary?
It is recommended. Pre-anaesthetic bloodwork shows how the liver and kidneys are working, which is what clears the anaesthetic agents from the body. Results let us tailor the anaesthetic plan to your individual animal rather than use a standard protocol.
Will my pet go home the same day?
Most surgical patients are discharged the same day with written aftercare instructions. Our clinic does not provide overnight observation, so a patient who would need it is planned for differently from the outset and we will discuss that with you in advance.
How do I book a surgical procedure?
Call us on (778) 265-4500 to confirm surgical availability. Surgical days are scheduled around anaesthetic staffing, so dates are agreed on the phone rather than assumed. Reception will take a few details about your pet during that call.
Thinking about sterilization, or worried about how your flat-faced dog is breathing? Call Vic West Pet Hospital in Victoria on (778) 265-4500 to confirm surgical availability and book a consultation where the options are laid out properly before you decide.