What do “spay” and “neuter” really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days.
How old should my pet be to be spayed or neutered?
While puppies and kittens are traditionally spayed/neutered at six months following the completion of their initial vaccinations, the surgeries can be performed on animals of any age beginning around 6 months. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet
- Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
- Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
- Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You
- Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
- Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and territory.
- Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
- Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
- Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
- Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away,
or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
- Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
- Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
- Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
- Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
- Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
Fix That Bunny!
When being conscientious about the pet overpopulation, don’t forget to spay or neuter your pet rabbit. Altering rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing. Spaying females can prevent ovarian, mammarian, and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature does. Also, rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and are the third-most surrendered animal to shelters.
Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It’s a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.
Are there any risks of spaying or neutering?
- As with any surgical procedure, post-operative discomfort can be expected for a few days following the surgery, but both procedures are routine and relatively low risk.
- Spay and neuter surgeries are performed under anesthesia, which is generally very safe. Any risks of anesthesia may be reduced with pre-anesthetic blood testing.
What can I do to make my pet comfortable after surgery?
- Aside from offering some extra tender loving care, it is very important that you adhere to the discharge instructions sent home with your pet. Your pet will need to have his or her activities restricted for approximately one week following the surgery. Some patients will have stitches that will need to be removed between one and two weeks after the surgery. Regardless of whether or not your pet has stitches, it is imperative that your pet not lick the surgery site. The majority of postoperative complications are a direct result of the cat or dog licking their incision. If there is a concern that your pet may be a “licker” it can be fitted with an Elizabethan collar to wear until the incision heals.
- You may also ask your veterinarian about medicines that may decrease post-operative discomfort. Never, under any circumstances, give your pet any medications without first getting permission from your veterinarian.
Miscellaneous
- Following their surgery, pets usually spend one night in the hospital.
“Spay or Neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It’s a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.”
(The Humane Society of the United States)