Spaying and Neutering

Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most kind and responsible things you can do as a pet owner. Millions of animals each year are killed in animal shelters due to lack of homes. Countless others are abandoned and die alone because they have no one to care for them. In addition to helping the pet overpopulation problem, you are also assuring your pet will be free of some very avoidable and possibly life threatening illnesses.

When a female dog or cat is spayed, her ovaries and uterus are removed (an ovariohysterectomy). She will not have heat cycles and cannot become pregnant. This eliminates the chance of a very serious condition called pyometra which often occurs in non-spayed dogs (and cats, though less common) and can be life-threatening. Her chances of mammary or breast cancer are also greatly reduced and almost eliminated if she is spayed before her first heat cycle.

When a male dog or cat is neutered, the testicles are removed (an orchiectomy or castration). This not only eliminates many problems that may occur (especially with dogs) such as testicular tumors, tumors around the rectum and prostate enlargements and infections, but will decrease the tendency to roam and fight. Cats that roam and fight are more susceptible to fatal feline viruses such as feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline infectious peritonitis. With dogs, neutering will likely decrease the aggressive tendency toward other dogs but is not a substitute for obedience training. The very unpleasant and noxious habit of cat urine spraying is almost always eliminated.

Many people feel their pet will become fat, lazy, have a change in personality or must breed or be bred in order to mature properly. These are all false!! Female dogs and cats benefit from being spayed before their first heat. If a dog or cat becomes fat, proper feeding and exercise must be addressed. It is not related to spaying or neutering.

Your dog or cat should be vaccinated and examined prior to the surgery. We will be glad to discuss in further detail questions you may have about surgery, postoperative care or any specific questions you have concerning your pet.