Definition

Spaying and neutering refer to the surgical sterilization of an animal. In other words, spaying and neutering ensures that your pet cannot reproduce. Spaying is the surgical sterilization of a female animal by removing the ovaries, oviduct, and uterus. Neutering is the surgical sterilization of a male animal by removing the testicles.

Recommendations

Pets are typically spayed or neutered when they are 6 months old. It is best to have this surgery done before your pet reaches sexual maturity. Females should be spayed before their first heat.

Benefits of Spaying

  Prevents pregnancy and the complications arising from pregnancy and delivery

  Eliminates the heat cycle - you won't have to listen to the sounds of your female in heat, trying to get out and find a mate

  Prevents unwelcome males from trying to seek out your female pet in heat

  Reduces the urge to roam. This makes it less likely that you will lose your pet, which in turn makes your pet less likely to contract a disease, get in a fight, get injured, or become a victim to cruelty, poison, or traffic.

  Eliminates sexual discomfort, distress, or distraction ... making your pet happier and more content.

  Reduces or eliminates the possibility of disease or cancer in the reproductive system.

Benefits of Neutering

  Reduces the distracting and destructive behavior associated with the male's efforts to get out and find a mate

  Reduces the urge to roam. This makes it less likely that you will lose your pet, which in turn makes your pet less likely to contract a disease, get in a fight, get injured, or become a victim to cruelty, poison, or traffic.

  Eliminates sexual discomfort, distress, or distraction ... making your pet happier and more content.

  Eliminates testicular tumors and reduces prostate gland problems.

  In cats, neutering stops or reduces marking behavior (territorial spraying of urine).

Reduces the urge to fight.

Spay / Neuter Myths

People often balk at having their pet spayed or neutered ... and for various reasons.

Reason #1:

"It's not right to neuter a male. Only females should be sterilized because they're the ones that have litters."

This view forgets one important point: it takes both a male and a female to produce a litter. In fact, males can father far more young than a female could ever produce in a lifetime.

And what happens if your intact male escapes the house and mates with an intact female?

It's both owners' responsibilities to be sure their pets have been spayed or neutered.

Reason #2:

"I want my children to see the miracle of birth."

There are other ways of teaching children about birth that do not involve bringing unwanted animals into this world. For example, visits to a farm or a zoo can show them the same thing. Videos and books are also an option.

Reason #3:

"Don't worry, we'll find homes for the litter."

Maybe so ... but for every new animal that's brought into this world, there are others waiting to be adopted from humane societies and animal shelters.

Reason #4:

"Females should be allowed to have one litter."

There is no reason for a female to have a litter; she will mature properly without it. It will not improve her health or permanently change her personality.

In fact, spaying your pet before her first heat will significantly reduce her chances of developing breast cancer later in life.

Reason #5:

"Spaying or neutering my pet will make it fat."

Proper exercise and nutrition will keep your pet healthy. If your pet is overweight, cut down the amount you feed and fit in a few more minutes of exercise.

Healthy animals are put down every day because there are simply not enough homes for them - and more and more come in everyday. It is heartbreaking to know that a loving, happy, and healthy animal is to be euthanized.

We must all work together to stop uncontrolled and irresponsible breeding of our pets. We can help to stop the suffering of these innocent creatures by reducing the number of unwanted pets being brought into this world.

Do your part by having your pet spayed or neutered. You'll be saving more than just one life!

Surgery Electives

Pre-anesthetic Bloodwork - A normal physical examination cannot give us complete confidence that the internal organs are working properly.  While the anesthetics that we use are extremely safe for your pet and therefore minimize risk, if a pet is not completely healthy then potential complications can occur both during and after the anesthetic procedure. Pre-anesthetic blood work can alert us to any hidden problems that your pet may have.  With this knowledge, we may elect to forego the anesthetic/surgical procedure, modify the anesthetic regimen, or change your pet's medication.  While performing blood work cannot guarantee that your pet will not have any problems with the anesthesia or surgical procedure, it can significantly minimize the risk to your pet and give both of us peace of mind. Just because an animal is young doesn't mean that its organs are all functioning properly

IV Fluids - When pets are sedated they experience a decreased blood pressure from the sedation. IV Catheter & Fluids during the anesthetic episode are recommended to reduce this risk. In addition, this extra measure allows us to administer life saving drugs in case of an emergency.

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