Important Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

 

Just about everyone has heard the phrase,"It's important to spay or neuter your pet".  And it's true! But we're never told why. . . .Besides controlling the pet population, there are several health benefits to your pet after being spayed or neutered.  The ideal age to spay or neuter your pet is 6 months.  Is your pet older than 6 months?

 It's okay! It's never too late! 

 

 

 Spaying your female pet (ovariohysterectomy)

In females, the procedure is called spaying.  This includes removal of both ovaries and the uterus through an incision into the abdominal cavity. The ovaries produce hormones called estrogen and progesterone.  This is also where eggs are produced during your cats' or dogs' "heat cycle."

*If spayed before the first heat cycle, your pet has less than 1 percent chance of developing breast or mammary cancer.

*If spayed after one heat cycle, your pet has an 8 percent chance of developing breast cancer.

*If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk increases to 26 percent!

**Eliminates the risk of a Pyometra, a serious and fatal uterine infection that requires

emergency surgery to save your pet.

*Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.

*Eliminates unwanted pregnancies.                                                                                                  

 


Neutering your male pet (castration)

In males, the procedure is called neutering.  The testicles are the site of sperm and testosterone production. 

Therefore, the procedure entails the removal of the testicles, leaving behind an empty scrotal sac that will shrink in time.

 

*Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, the second most common tumor in male dogs.

**Greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate.

*Reduces the risk of perianal tumors.

*Eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered at 6 months of age or

before the onset of these behaviors.

*Eliminates unwanted litters.

 

 

Common myths:

Spaying or neutering your pet does not:

*Alter his/her personality in any manner.

*Cause laziness or hyperactivity.

*Reduce his/her instinct to protect your family or home.

*Cause immature behaviors.

*Postpone or delay normal behavioral maturity. 

 

 

Looking out for Estrus or "heat cycles":
Canine:
Puberty in the female dog usually occurs around six months of age. The smaller breeds tend to go into estrus or “heat” earlier and some females can have their first “heat” cycle as early a

s four months of age.  On average this occurs about twice a year or every six months, although it varies from dog to dog. "Heat" cycles vary, but average two to three weeks for most dogs.

 

 Feline:
The female cat comes into “heat” or estrus many times each year. The heat period lasts about several days. If she is not bred and not spayed, she will return to heat in one to two weeks. This cycle will continue for several heat cycles.