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| Spay / Neuter | Why Spay / Neuter | |
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Sadly, each year more than 15 million dogs and cats are euthanized in the US because of overpopulation. Altering pets through spay/neuter surgery helps prevent the unwanted birth of animals that would be difficult to place into good homes. The spaying and neutering of pets can also reduce the incidence of sex-hormone related diseases. Roughly one-fourth of all dogs in shelters are purebred. Pet owners who are considering not altering their purebred pet should keep this fact in mind. Will my dog or cat be a better pet after altering? Yes. In addition to the benefits of not having heat periods and unwanted offspring, the animal's tendency to roam is decreased. Most pets become less aggressive toward people and other animals. Spaying or neutering your pet will not alter the pet's training or its ability to work or hunt. What are some of the other known advantages of having my pet altered? The neutered male cat has a decreased urine odor and is far less inclined to mark its territory by spraying urine. The neutered male dog is less likely mark territory and display aggression toward other dogs. Neutered dogs have fewer tumors around the anus and decreased urine odor. The spayed female cat and dog do not have reproductive tract disease problems, have less urinary tract infections, and significantly fewer cases of mammary cancer. Spaying prevents the occurrence of pyometra in females. Pyometra is a bacterial infection in the uterus. If the bacteria gets into the pet's bloodstream, it can be fatal. Altered pets are less likely to make inappropriate sexual approaches toward people or objects. They are less likely to roam and are less likely to be aggressive. This helps to prevent pets from becoming lost or stolen, being hit by cars, or contracting a contagious disease through fighting with other animals. Altering your pet helps to control pet overpopulation by reducing the number of litters of puppies or kittens who will need good homes. What is actually done in a spay or neuter procedure? In both cases, the animal is given general anesthesia so that it cannot feel anything. Spay Surgery A spay surgery (also called an ovariohysterectomy) is performed on females. While performed routinely, an ovariohysterectomy is a major surgery in which the reproductive tract – including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus – is removed. Bloodwork may be performed to make sure the pet is healthy enough for anesthesia and surgery. |
Neutering Neutering refers to the castration of a male animal. It is a surgical procedure in which both testicles are removed. Neutering requires considerably less time and equipment than a spay surgery. How old should my pet be before surgery? Consult with your veterinarian about the best age for your pet to have this surgery. In most cases, it is considered safe to alter dogs and cats as early as eight weeks of age. As long as they are healthy enough for surgery, there is generally no upper age limit for pets to be spayed or neutered and, in fact, older pets can benefit from the surgery. Should the female have a heat period or a litter before being spayed? If your pet is going to be a companion animal, then there are no benefits to allowing her to have a litter or to go through a heat period. It is actually healthier for your dog or cat never to experience a heat as it lessens the animal’s chance of getting mammary cancer and decreases the animal’s stress and risks due to pregnancy and delivery. Research indicates that dogs spayed prior to their first heat have less than a half of one percent chance of experiencing mammary cancer as compared to an eight percent chance after the second heat. Cats spayed after their first heat have a seven times greater chance of suffering from mammary cancer than cats spayed prior to their first heat. Why shouldn’t I just keep my female dog or cat confined while she is in heat? You can do this, of course. But, remember, your unspayed dog will come into heat twice a year for its entire life. A cat comes into heat once a month for its entire life. Also, do not forget all of the other health benefits of spay surgery as listed above. Will spaying or neutering my pet cause it to become fat and lazy? No. Weight gain is due to being fed more calories than the animal uses. Watch the quantity of food you give your pet. Also, older pets need fewer calories than younger ones because they tend to be less active and are no longer growing. Regular play and exercise, along with diet, are the keys to keeping your pet in shape. Please
help stop
the endless cycle of pet overpopulation..... PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER |
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P.A.W.S. Of Dearborn County, Inc. (Partners For Animal Welfare Society Of Dearborn County, Inc.) and P.A.W.S. Of Dearborn County Humane Center 200 Charles A. Liddle Drive, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 2011 All Rights Reserved |
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