| 
- Spaying or neutering you pet is a responsible act.
- Spaying or neutering your pet lengthens its life and improves
the quality of its life with you.
- Spaying or neutering your pet decreases some health risks
that often take the lives of pets at early ages.
- Spaying or neutering your pet also makes your pet a better
family member.
Will My Pet Get Fat?
No, spaying or neutering does not cause weight gain. A quality
diet coupled with exercise will keep your pet fit and trim.
Should I Let My Pet Have One Litter Before Spaying
or Neutering?
No, spaying is more difficult after a female pet has been
in heat or allowed to have its first litter. Each heat cycle
increases the risk of mammary cancer in your pet.
Will the Operation Change My Pet’s Personality?
No, your pet’s personality will stay the same. Some
innate aggressive behaviors – readiness to bite, fight
or defend territory – will be reduced if your pet is
altered before it becomes sexually mature.
What is Spaying and Neutering?
Neutering refers to the castration of male animals. The operation
involves surgical removal of the male pet’s testicles.
Spaying refers to the removal of a female pet’s uterus
and ovaries.
**Your veterinarian can give a more in-depth explanation
of the medical procedures involved in both spaying and neutering.**
Is Spaying or Neutering Dangerous?
Both are routine surgical procedures. A physical exam of your
pet before surgery is routine in most animal clinics. Pre-testing
will allow your veterinarian to give your pet a clean bill
of health before spaying or neutering.
At What Age Should my Pet be Spayed or Neutered?
In 1993 the American Veterinarian Medical Association adopted
a resolution that supports the concept of early spay/neuter
in dogs and cats. Petland and many veterinarians recommend
puppies and kittens be spayed or neutered as soon as possible
after five months of age.
**Consult your veterinarian to schedule the appropriate
time to have your pet spayed or neutered.**
How Long Will Surgery Take?
In most cases, spaying and neutering is a 20 to 40 minute
surgical procedure. Many veterinarians send their patients
home the same day of the surgery. Most pets are back to near
normal activities the second day.
|
