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Spaying / Neutering of Pet Dogs and Cats
Unless you are seriously considering showing or breeding your pet dog or cat we strongly recommend that you have her spayed or him neutered. To help in making this decision you may wish to review “Know the Facts BEFORE Breeding Your Dog” and “Top 10 Worst Reasons Not to Spay/Neuter Your Cat.” Besides the numerous health and behavioral benefits to be gained, you will eliminate the risk of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. Prior to your pet’s surgical procedure we strongly recommend that blood work be done to assess his/her ability to tolerate surgery and to metabolize and excrete the anesthetics. The blood work varies depending on the age of the pet but generally involves checking liver, kidney, glucose, protein, and electrolyte levels, blood clotting time and packed cell volume – a measurement of your pet’s red blood cells. Following surgery we strongly recommend that medications be given to help control post-operative pain. These can be given by injection or orally.
SPAYING (ovariohysterectomy) - FEMALE DOGS AND CATS
The ideal age for spaying is about six months old, before the first heat cycle. Spaying will probably lengthen the life of your pet, since she will not develop pyometritis, a potentially life-threatening uterine infection not uncommon in unspayed, middle-aged or older dogs and cats. Treatment for pyometritis requires surgery at a time when she is quite ill. The spayed pet is also less likely to develop mammary (breast) tumors, which often develop as she gets older, especially if she has several litters. The spay surgery involves a general anesthetic, abdominal surgery to remove the ovaries and uterus, and overnight hospitalization of your pet. The alternative to spaying is to keep a close watch on her for the entire heat period. The heat period for dogs lasts an average of 18 days and occurs at an average of seven-month intervals. Cats can go into heat for 1 to 2 weeks several times during the year. A spayed pet will not become obese if you regulate the diet and exercise her daily.
NEUTERING (orchectomy) - MALE DOGS AND CATS
Neutering or castration of a male dog is an operation, which may be performed by the veterinarian at six months of age or older. This operation will require general anesthesia, surgery to remove the testicles, and overnight hospitalization. After he has the operation your pet will make an even better pet. He will express his vitality in play often quitting some of his male behavior traits found to be embarrassing or unwanted. A neutered dog is less likely to roam thereby decreasing his chance of being hurt or killed and less apt to damage a neighbor’s personal property. Neutering will also eliminate the possibility of your pet’s developing testicular cancer and benign prostatic enlargement (dogs only) in their older years. A neutered cat will not undergo anxiety and stress, accompanied by aggressiveness and howling when in the presence of a female cat in heat. He will stay home more with less desire to roam. If neutering is done when the cat is young, he may not acquire the bad habit of spraying or urine marking.
If you ever have questions regarding any of the above information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Visit us online at www.WhiteBearAnimalHospital.com.
WHITE BEAR ANIMAL HOSPITAL OTTER LAKE ANIMAL CARE CENTER1909 East County Road E 6848 Otter Lake RoadWhite Bear Lake, MN 55110 Hugo, MN 55038 (651) 777-1393 (651) 426-8871 |