Spaying and Neutering

One of the best decisions a pet owner can make for a pet’s overall health and well-being is to spay or neuter.

Here are just a few of the benefits:

– Curb bad behaviors (urine marking, aggression, and roaming)

– Reduce risk of cancer. For unspayed females, the risk of cancers of the reproductive system is much higher than in spayed females. For male pets that are neutered, the chances of getting testicular cancer are eliminated, and research points to a lower rate of prostate cancer.

– Reduce long-term costs. The costs of a spay or neuter procedure is much less than the treatments required for reproductive system cancers.

– Reduce the overall number of pets that are euthanized. According to the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized each year. By reducing the breeding instinct, less overpopulation will occur.

– A better pet. Males, who are not neutered, will seek a mate, leading to roaming. They’ll also display dominance behaviors when encountering other males–often resulting in fights and severe aggression. Females, after spayed will be more content, without the discomfort they experience during breeding seasons.

– A safer pet. A spayed female will not be sought out by male dogs.

What exactly is spaying or neutering?

Spaying is the sterilization surgery performed on a female pet. The ovaries and uterus are removed under anesthesia. Usually an overnight stay is suggested to help monitor your pet’s comfort and health.

Neutering is the sterilization of male pet where the testicles are removed. A minimal hospital stay, if any, is required. This procedure is also performed under anesthesia.

The recovery for both surgeries is minimal, as are the risks. Prior to your pet’s surgery, we will explain the procedure, risks and after-care of your pet.