It’s difficult to contemplate, and yet every year, millions of healthy dogs and cats in shelters are euthanized because there are more pets than people willing to provide them with a loving home. This comes to one animal every 13 seconds. That is a sobering statistic, but the good news is that we can solve this together. The decision to spay or neuter your pet is the finest way to prevent overpopulation and give every dog/cat a chance at having a family.
What to Expect During the Procedure
We understand that surgery might be a little scary for pet parents, but this is the kind of procedure we do every day with meticulous and thoughtful consideration.
- For Females (Spaying): Once your pet is safely anesthetized and the anesthesia has taken effect, a veterinarian makes a small abdominal incision to remove the ovaries and uterus while your animal remains in a deep sleep.
- For Males (Neutering): Sterilization. Here, an opening smallest in the proximity of the scrotum, is incised to take the testicle after the anesthesia has taken effect.
Our staff is right there with your pet, monitoring their heart rate and breath throughout the entire process to ensure they are safe. When you’re ready to hit the road home, we’ll show you what to do and how to bring them safely through recovery.
Why Spaying Your Female Pet is a Great Idea
An “unspayed” female cat or dog can go into heat several times per year, and your animal may constantly cry and seek out male animals. Cats in heat can become extremely loud and may even be aggressive when seeking a mate.
By spaying your pet, you are helping her in several ways:
- No more “roaming”: She will no longer feel that frantic need to flee the house or yard in a quest for a mate.
- Longer, healthier life: Spaying greatly reduces the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancers and mammary tumors — especially if she’s spayed before her first heat cycle.
- Fewer litters: You never have to deal with the hassle of finding homes for unexpected puppies or kittens.
How Neutering Benefits Your Male Pet
Intact males are often ruled by hormones that can predispose them to some challenging behaviors. They could become aggressive, attempt to run away from home, or even begin marking their territory by spraying urine inside your house.
Neutering helps settle these behaviors and offers great health perks:
- Better behavior: It decreases the desire to roam and can be effective in curbing aggressive or sexual behaviors that could catch you off guard.
- Health protection: A neutered male pet has a much-reduced risk of prostate and testicular cancer.
- Peace of mind: Neutered animals are generally more relaxed and less inclined to roam away from the safety of your backyard or home – you’ll be a wonderful neighbor.
Neutered and spayed pets live three to five years longer, on average, than those that are not. It’s one of the nicest things you can do for your animal.
If you have any questions regarding the timing or process of spaying and neutering with All Creatures Veterinary Center, please give us a call at (661) 291-1124 – we’re happy to help!
