Some pet owners already know this, but it’s still important to talk about the significance of spaying and neutering your furry family member and the critical difference it makes in their health and overall behavior. Did you know that spaying and neutering can help prevent some life-threatening diseases in cats and dogs? These procedures not only help to reduce the number of unwanted animals, but they also help prevent serious health issues in your pet, such as mammary cancer and pyometra. Let’s break down why it’s essential to spay or neuter your pet to keep them healthy and happy.
Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures where the reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus in female animals, testicles in males) are removed or rendered non-functional. This prevents animals from reproducing, which helps to reduce the number of unwanted animals in shelters or on the streets.
Spaying and neutering have many benefits for your pet’s health. Unaltered pets (non-spayed/neutered) are at greater risk of developing mammary cancer or pyometra (a lifethreatening infection of the uterus). The chance of these conditions decreases dramatically when an animal is spayed or neutered before their first heat cycle.
In addition, having your pet spayed/neutered can help reduce mating behaviors such as aggression, marking, restlessness, roaming, noisemaking, etc. These behaviors can be very stressful for both you and your pet!
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to spaying/neutering your pet; each situation is different. Discussing the best option with Dr. Nicole will help you decide what is right for you and your pet. Generally speaking, veterinarians often recommend that cats be spayed/neutered between 4-6 months of age while dogs should have the procedures between 6-9 months, depending on size and breed.
Spaying your female pet before her first heat cycle can reduce her risk of developing mammary cancer by up to 99% for dogs and 91% for cats. Mammary cancer is the most common form ofcancer found in female cats and dogs, so this statistic really drives home the importance of spaying your pup or kitten before she hits puberty.
Another serious health issue that can be prevented through spaying is pyometra—a serious infection of the uterus that can develop after a female dog or cat has been through one or more heat cycles. Pyometra is a potentially fatal condition if not treated promptly, so again, it’s important to get your pup spayed as early as possible.
Neutering male cats and dogs can reduce their risk of developing hormone-related diseases such as testicular cancer, prostate issues (including enlargement), perianal tumors, and perineal hernias.
Preventative health care is so important when it comes to our four-legged friends! Spaying and neutering have tremendous benefits for both you and your pet—decreased risk of certain illnesses such as mammary cancer and pyometra and improved behavior due to reduced mating urges are just two examples.
If you are unsure whether this procedure would be appropriate for your pet, call us today. Dr. Nicole has performed hundreds of spay and neuter surgeries and can offer advice tailored specifically for you and your beloved pet. So, give Onalaska Animal Hospital a call at (608) 668- 6777 today to schedule this minimally invasive procedure for your pet!
