The Facts of Life

Important Reasons to Have Your Pet Spayed or Neutered

 

Spaying Your Pet – Female	Neutering Your Pet – Male
Ovariohysterectomy – removal of the ovaries and uterus	Orchiectomy – removal of the testicles and spermatic cord
Ideal Age is 6 - 8 months.	Ideal Age is 6 - 8 months.
If spayed before the first heat cycle, there is less than ½ of 1% chance of developing breast cancer.	Eliminates risk of testicular cancer, the second most commonly reported tumor in male dogs.
If spayed after one heat cycle, there is an 8% chance of developing breast cancer.	Greatly reduces risk of prostate cancer and prostatitis.
If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk increases to 26%.	Reduces risk of perianal tumors.
After 2 ½ years, there is no protective benefit.	Reduces roaming and fighting behaviors.
Pets with diabetes or epilepsy should be spayed to prevent hormonal changes that may interfere with medications.	Eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered before six months of age or before onset of these behaviors.
Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers.	Eliminates risk and spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Eliminates unwanted pregnancies.	Eliminates unwanted litters.

Unfortunate Reality

More than 7.5 million (7,500,000+) pets are euthanized in animal shelters in the United States each year simply because they do not have a home. Most of these animals are puppies and kittens less than six months old. Help stop this needless loss of life. Spay and neuter your pet.

Myths

   Contrary to any myths you may have heard, your growing puppy will most definitely not be happier left intact. He (or she) can/will constantly want to roam, feel incredibly stressed, aggressive and frustrated, and be at risk of various illnesses. Furthermore, your dog won’t be any happier if you allow him to breed once or her to have one litter of puppies. What your dog doesn’t know, he (or she) won’t miss.

Straying dogs are vulnerable to infections and serious health problems, which can lead to great unhappiness for everyone concerned. Although neutering costs money, it is a long-term investment and will undoubtedly save you more on vet’s bills later in your dog’s life.

When should my puppy be neutered?

Dogs typically become sexually mature between six and 12 months. Traditionally, both female and male dogs were neutered at around six months of age, but Dr. Bergeron here at Park Veterinary Hospital prefers to wait unitl 7months of age.

Benefits of Neutering

Males

Removes the sexual urge and the chances of him wandering off (and perhaps getting hit by a car or injured in a flight).

May reduce certain types of aggression.

Reduces the risk of hormone-related diseases.

Reduces the risk of anal and perianal cancers.

Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.

Significantly reduces the risk of prostate gland problems.

Females

Prevents unwanted pregnancies.

Eliminates the mess and problems of her coming into season.

Eliminates the urge to roam in search of a mate.

Stops the unwanted attention of other dogs.

Helps to prevent uterine infections.

Helps to prevent mammary, uterine and ovarian cancer.

 

What Neutering Involves

The surgery is carried out under anesthesia. A male dog will undergo castration, which involves the removal of both testicles. A female will have the ovaries and uterus removed. Most dogs so home quite happily the same day and suffer minimal discomfort, which is easily controlled with medication supplied by the vet.

Personality and Other Changes

Don’t worry; your young dog should not undergo a personality change as a result of neutering. Generally speaking, behavior will improve as he (or she) will be much calmer, more reliable and less moody. In fact, your pet will be much happier altogether, but his (or her) normal personality will still be very much in evidence.

Spaying or neutering at the youngest possible age—before the dog has reached sexual maturity—generally has no effect whatsoever on weight. Dogs that undergo the surgery after reaching sexual maturity may show an increased appetite because altering affects hormone balance. However, dogs who are fat are usually fat because they are fed too much and/or do not get enough exercise! Whether your pet becomes overweight, neutered or not, will ultimately be up to you. 

 

Spaying or neutering your pet DOES NOT:

·     Cause laziness.

·     Cause hyperactivity.

·     Reduce a pet’s instinct to protect your family and home.

·     Cause ‘immature’ behaviors.

·     Postpone or delay normal behavioral maturity.

·     Alter their personality in any manner.

If you have further questions or concerns about spaying or neutering your pet or surgery at our hospital, feel free to ask any hospital staff member.