PETS :: LAPAROSCOPIC DESEXING + ALARPLASTY
A couple months back we had Persephone (our then 13 month old pug) booked in for desexing as well as alarplasty to help her with breathing. Our regular Vet recommended UVTHS as they specialise in these surgeries and have the latest medical equipment. After much conversation and discussion with the doctors and professionals we went ahead with what we believed to be the best decision for our little golden nugget, Sephie. Safe to say it all went extremely well and I’m very happy with her results and the improvement it has made to her health and long-term well being.
Check out my list of things to know when considering these surgeries for your pup.
1. DOES YOUR VET RECOMMEND THE SURGERY?
When Persephone was officially ours we were made aware of her pre-existing condition with her nose a term called ‘Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome’. Around 5 months of age our Vet asked us about our intentions with her and if we had any questions and one of our weighted conversations was around getting her desexed and if surgery would be ideal for her and her well being. Knowing her history and having monitored her growth our Vet advised us to wait till she was around 12 months old before booking her in for a consultation (in her opinion) with the best specialised Vet Surgeons in Sydney, UVTHS.
2. IS IT WORTH THE MONEY, SOUNDS EXPENSIVE?
I hate to mention this one but I feel as though it needs to be said. It would be cruel to not consider this financial expenditure before taking a squishy faced dog into your family. It will be of a higher cost and something you will most likely need to have saved for within the first 12 months of your Pugs life. Some Pet insurances may cover the alarplasty surgery however ours was not covered due to it being a pre-existing condition (which we were aware of). Though we did get a little back for the laparoscopic desexing surgery.
3. DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHERE YOU BOOK IN FOR THE SURGERY?
Going into it I absolutely wanted the most care and consideration for Persephone. And with our regular Vets recommendation we sort out the least invasive surgery, keyhole surgery at UVTHS. In our experience, our surgeon Dr Jason H. did such a great job explaining the process and answering any questions. He was also very clear about what was to happen. But I also think you need to go into these conversations with a level of trust and respect that they do know what they are doing. So it all went to plan and I’m pleased that Persephone was in such experienced and trusted hands. Her results speak for themselves. It was also fantastic that both surgeries were done on the same day - less stress for her and us!
4. CAN YOU MANAGE THE POST-RECOVERY PERIOD WITH YOUR PUP?
After surgery you are going to need to be with your pup pretty much 24/7 for the duration of her recovery. There’s a period of time off work that may be needed and considered. Your pup is going to need to be calm, rested and medicated for most of the recovery period. I stayed with Sephie and cared for her all that time. I do believe that made all the difference in her fast recovery and resulting in no issues with the healing process.
5. WILL MY DOG HATE ME FOR IT?
This question and also am I being cruel by going through with the desexing was a question that I agonized over. Here’s the thing, when I picked up my little nugget post surgery, I was the nervous one, she was just really excited and happy to see me with her little cinnabon tail wagging with glee. I also knew that when we got her that I wasn’t interested in her for breeding. So I do feel as though I made the best considered decision for her long-life health and well being. And no, she doesn’t hate me nor does she take note of the surgeries in that, there is a change to her physically. Her behaviour is the same and her personality is just as sunny as ever.
Let me know if this helped you in your decision in the comments below..
