Pet Care
Spaying and Neutering
Why is spaying or neutering important?
Your pet is your companion, your friend, and a member of your family. However, not everyone feels this way about their pets. About four to six million cats and dogs are euthanized every year in shelters across America. If one pair of cats produces eight kittens each year, each of those kittens will then reproduce, and then each of those kittens will reproduce. By the time six years pass, there are approximately 300,000 cats in that one kitty family tree. By the seventh year, the descendants of the original mother and father number almost 2.4 million!
For every kitten or puppy that finds a good home, four others are unwanted, unloved, and possibly neglected or abused. Be a part of the solution! Spaying and neutering will help reduce the number of unwanted pets. Another benefit is that it will help prevent certain health problems down the road.
What is spaying?
Spaying of female dogs and cats, otherwise known as an ovariohysterectomy, is the surgical removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. Once the procedure is done, all heat cycles will be eliminated. The unwanted bleeding, nervousness, and desire to mate that goes along with the heat cycle will no longer be present.
Females are often mature enough to reproduce once they reach six months to nine months of age. Female dogs go through their heat cycle every six months. The entire heat cycle may be as short as a few days or as long as three to four weeks. Personality changes may be noted during this time such as short-temperedness or anxiousness. Female cats go into heat continuously every three to four weeks during certain times during the year. Signs of bleeding are rarely seen in the cat. Instead, nervousness, unusual behaviors such as rolling on the floor, hiding, or begging for constant attention are what is noticed. They usually become very vocal, meowing through the cycle.
Studies have been done to show that if a female pet is spayed before her first heat cycle, the chances of her developing mammary cancer later in life are greatly reduced. Spaying also prevents uterine infections and difficult or dangerous pregnancies.
What is neutering?
Neutering of male dogs and cats, called orchiectomy, is the surgical removal of the testicles. If it is done early in life, it eliminates reproductive behavior.
Males reach sexual maturity at six to nine months of age. After that time they are able to breed any time they are exposed to a receptive female. Cats and dogs that are not neutered are prone to wander off in search of a female. Pets that are wondering are more often exposed to diseases and injury from fights and traffic accidents.
Male cats are known to mark their territories by spraying urine on furniture, walls, shrubs, etc. Male does can be anxious to mark their territories as well. This behavior is greatly reduced once the pet is neutered. Neutering can also reduce any aggression that may be present in a male dog.
There are other benefits to neutering as well. Prostatic disease, testicular cancer and infections are no longer a threat.
After your pet has been neutered, he will be less likely to roam and will enjoy staying at home more.
When should my pet be spayed or neutered?
Your pet should be spayed before her first heat cycle. Males can be neutered as early as 4 – 5 months of age. Your veterinarian will be able to set up the appropriate time for your particular pet to have surgery.
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