Spay/Neuter

What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.
 

Why Spay or Neuter?

Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.

Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.

Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.

Pet population numbers are booming. The numbers of pets in shelters are overwhelming. Between 4 and 5 million cats and dogs are euthanized every year in animal shelters country wide. As serious as this issue is, some people seem to feel that it just doesn't affect them personally, after all, there is no way Fifi the poodle could get pregnant, she's always supervised, or inside, or whatever.

Well how about this then:

Pet overpopulation is one of the greatest reasons to have all your pets sterilized, but did you know that is not the only reason? Did you know that by having your dog neutered or spayed you can eliminate the risk of serious future health problems as well?

Spaying and neutering before maturity, approximately six months of age also prevents a number of habits, from both sexes of dogs. Irritating behaviours such as territorial marking in the house and running away can easily be minimized by early-age spaying or neutering. And obedience classes.

Preventing gender-specific cancers in dogs is a very large plus, especially considering that unaltered dogs have a 50% chance of developing these cancers. That's one out of every two dogs that develop cancer. That is a very high percentage. Why risk it?