Spay & Neuter

Why Spay?

As concerned pet owners we all want what is best for our pets, but many of us don't understand the benefits of spaying in relation to our pets' overall health. Spaying refers to ovariohysterectomy, an abdominal surgical procedure to remove both ovaries and the uterus.

Spaying females at an early age has many health advantages:
Spaying before the first heat cycle reduces the incidence of mammary tumors (breast cancer) by about 80%. Unspayed females can also develop a life threatening infection of the uterus called "pyometra". Development of uterine and ovarian cancer are also eliminated by spaying.

Some pets do gain weight after spaying. This is because the metabolic rate is reduced. Be sure to provide your pet with plenty of exercise and if necessary decrease the amount fed after complete surgical recovery.

Even though an ovariohysterectomy is a major surgery, the cost is relatively low and can be offset by not having to pay for costly pyometra or breast cancer surgery later in life. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and your pet will be able to go home the same day.

Between 3.5 and 7 million pets are put to death each year and many more die from disease, starvation, automobiles and abuse. Twenty five percent of these dogs and cats are purebred animals. One unspayed animal can produce up to 120 offspring in her life. The only sure way to prevent unwanted pets is to have them spayed and neutered.

Why Neuter?

As concerned pet owners, we want what's best for our pets, but many of us don't understand the benefits of neutering.

Neutering has many health advantages:
First, it reduces the likelihood of many reproductive conditions such as prostate infections, prostate and testicular cancer, as well as other reproductive tumors. Neutering is also the best way to stop inappropriate aggression towards humans or other animals. Neutered pets are less likely to mark their territory by urinating on furniture, walls, carpet, and shrubs. Un-neutered males tend to roam in search of a mate, and may be difficult to keep in a fenced yard.

The expense for neutering is relatively low, and may be offset by not having to pay for an expensive surgery later, or not having to replace items ruined by territorial urination. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and your pet may go home the same day.

Some pets can gain weight after neutering if the amount fed is not reduced slightly. This is because the metabolic rate in neutered pets is somewhat slower. Make sure you provide lots of exercise and reduce their food intake by 10-15% after your pet has completely recovered from surgery.

Between 3.5 and 7 million pets are put to death each year and many more die from starvation, disease, automobiles, and abuse. One un-neutered male can produce hundreds of offspring in his lifetime.