Reasons to spay or neuter your pet:

• Decrease aggressive behaviors in male pets. 
• Decrease desire for pets to roam and find mates.
• Decrease pet overpopulation and pet euthanasia. 
• Decrease risk of mammary gland tumors. 
• Eliminate heat cycles, bleeding, and yelling for a mate.
• Eliminate or reduce marking and spraying. 
• Reduce risk of ovarian and uterine cancers. 
• Reduce risk of prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

What does spaying or neutering involve?

   Both spaying and neutering are surgical procedures that prevent an animal from reproducing. Spaying and neutering are typically recommended for pets that are at least 5-6 months old and are not going to be used for breeding. Spaying is performed on female animals and involves surgically removing the uterus and ovaries to prevent pregnancy. Neutering is implemented on male animals and encompasses removing the testicles to eliminate fertility. While each of these surgeries sound involved, they can usually be completed within a few hours and do not require an overnight hospital stay.

Your pet may experience increased discomfort in the days following surgery. Depending on your pet’s surgery, pain medication can be prescribed. These tips should be followed to ease your pet’s recovery: 

1. Do not allow your pet to run or jump for the next few days.
2. Examine the incision daily to ensure proper healing.
3. Keep your pet confined from others, and allow them to have a quiet resting place.
4. Prevent your pet from licking the surgical site by keeping close watch or by using an Elizabethan collar. 
5. If your pet’s incision has opened or if you notice excessive swelling, redness, or discharge, contact our office immediately.

If you have further questions about the spay and neuter procedures or would like to schedule the surgery for your pet, contact our office at your convenience.