Spaying and Neutering Your Pet

 

Spay and Neuter Facts

 

For every person that is born, 15 dogs and 45 cats are born.

 

Pet overpopulation is a big problem.  As these statistics show, in order to help keep up with the current flood of puppies and kittens, every person would have to own two dogs and six cats at all times.

 

A household of five would have to harbor 10 dogs and 30 cats!  Adoption alone is obviously not the answer.  Altering is.  Please spay and neuter your pets.

 

Millions of dogs and cats are put to sleep annually in this country because of overpopulation.  Spaying and neutering helps to solve this terrible problem.

 

The best age to spay and neuter is 6 months of age.

 

Ovariohysterectomy (Spaying Your Female Pet)

 

Advantages of Spaying

 

1. A spayed pet is usually a happier, healthier pet.
2. Dogs spayed before their first heat (6 months of age) are virtually assured of not developing mammary cancer, a relatively common disease in unsprayed females.
3. Spayed pets cannot develop the uterine infection called “pyometra,” which occurs commonly among older, unsprayed dogs and cats.  Pyometra can cause severe damage to the liver and kidneys, and left untreated, this disease can lead to death.
4. Females that have been spayed cannot become pregnant thus decreasing the surplus of puppies and kittens.
5. Dogs that have had an ovariohysterectomy do not attract males because they have no more heat cycles.  This also prevents blood stains around the home, on furniture and carpets.

 

Answers to Common Questions/Myths

 

1. Spaying will NOT make your dog or cat fat and lazy unless she is overfed and under exercised.
2. It is NOT true that a cat or dog should have one litter before being spayed.  This only leads to more unwanted puppies and kittens.
3. Spaying will NOT change your pet’s personality.  Cats’ personalities do not fully develop until about 1 year of age, and dogs’ between 1 and 2 years.  If your pet’s personality changes after spaying at an early age, it would have changed without surgery.  Personalities will only get better.
4. Surgical risk is very slight due to modern anesthesia and surgical techniques.

 

Castration (Neutering) of the Male Pet

 

Advantages of Neutering

 

1. A castrated pet is usually a happier, healthier pet.
2. Castrated dogs do not develop testicular cancer and run a lower risk than uncastrated dogs of developing some other forms of cancer.
3. Castrated dogs have few prostate problems, which are extremely common in older, intact (not castrated) dogs.
4. Castrated dogs and cats are less likely to roam and produce unwanted litters.
5. Castrated animals fight less with other male dogs and cats.
6. Castrated dogs are less likely to act aggressively toward people
7. Castrated cats are less likely to spray urine to mark their territory (including your belongings).  The urine of intact male cats has a strong, unpleasant odor that disappears after castration.

 

Answers to Common Questions/Myths

 

1. Castration will NOT make your dog or cat fat and lazy unless he is overfed and under exercised.
2. Castration may change some objectionable behaviors, but only if they are associated with male hormones.  Learned behaviors will not change due to castration alone.
3. Castration will NOT change your pet’s personality.  Cats’ personalities do not fully develop until about 1 year of age, and dogs’ between 1 and 2 years.  If your pet’s personality changes after castration at an early age, it would have changed without surgery.
4. Surgery is performed painlessly while your pet is under general anesthesia.