Common Questions About Spaying & Neutering
Q. What do you mean by neutering?
A. Achieving permanent birth control by surgically removing the
reproductive organs. Neutering is the term used to describe this procedure.
Q. How will neutering affect my pet?
A. For the better! Birth control is just one of the benefits.
Here are some others:
1. Stops the mating drive by removing organs that produce sex hormones.
2. Reduces the urge to roam in search of a mate--which in turn, reduces the risk of fights, injury, poisoning, or death in traffic.
3. Ends mounting of furniture, cushions, and people's legs by frustrated dogs--a behavior embarrassing to many, even frightening to some.
4. Stops spraying--a cat's "marking" of territory with foul smelling urine--in most cases.
Q. Are there other advantages?
A. Yes,
there are several that may add significantly to the pets length and
quality of life. These include:
1. Male Genital Problems: About 60% of older unneutered dogs
suffer from enlarged prostate glands. Neutering lowers the risk of this
painful disorder, as well as other problems. Both dogs and cats have
reduced risk of prostate
cancer if neutered and no risk of testicular tumors.
2. Other Health Risks: By neutering your pet you can reduce the
risk of injuries and abscesses from fights.
Q. When is the best time to neuter your pet?
A. Neuter only after your pet is sexually mature, but before bad
habits are established-- approximately 6 months of age. Older
pets--neuter at any age, as long as they're in good health and not
overweight.
Q. What do you mean by spaying?
A. Achieving permanent birth control by surgically removing the
reproductive organs. Spaying is the term used to describe this
procedure.
Q. How will spaying affect my pet?
A. For the better! Birth control is just one of the benefits.
Here are some others:
1. Eliminates the "heat" or
estrus cycle. Dogs are in heat for about 21 days twice a year; cats are
less predictable, but can be in heat 3-15 days, 3 or more times a year.
2. Ends crying and nervous pacing of cats in heat;
ends the frantic efforts of a dog or cat to get outside to find a mate.
3. Stops the blood discharge of a dog in heat, which
can stain rugs, furniture, etc.
4. Stops unwelcome
visits by hordes of yapping and yowling "suitors." Male pets can be
drawn from blocks around by the scent of a female in heat--even when
she's kept indoors.
Q. Are there other advantages?
A. Yes, there are
several that may add significantly to the pets length and quality of
life. These include:
1. Breast Cancer: Almost
half of unspayed dogs develop breast tumors--virtually none do if spayed
before their first heat. Cats have fewer breast tumors, but when they do
they are nearly always malignant. Spaying almost eliminates this risk.
2. Uterine Diseases: By removing the uterus, spaying
eliminates the site of common--and serious-- diseases, such as pyometra
(a life-threatening infection) and cancer.
3. Other
health risks:
mastitis (inflammation of the breast)
ovarian cysts
miscarriage
complications in delivery
Q. When is the best time to spay your pet?
A.
Before the first heat for best protection at approximately 6 months of
age. Older pets--spay at any age, as long as they're in good health and
not overweight. Pregnant pets--normally we do not spay them. Consult
with Dr. Carlson.
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