Why Spay & Neuter Your Pets?

All pet animals should be altered to prevent reproduction.

Terminology: We commonly call an ovariohysterectomy (spay) and a castration (neuter)

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PROCEDURE: During a spay, an abdominal incision is made allowing access to the ovaries and uterus which are both removed. Recovery time is about 2 weeks during which time the dog should be kept quiet and prevented from running or jumping.

During a neuter the testicles are exteriorized though the skin and just above the scrotal sac. The testicles are then ligated over the spermatic cord and removed from the body. Again, recovery time is about 2 weeks for actual healing, but the dogs usually act normal within a few days.

WHY?: Believe it or not I still will occasionally have clients tell me that they don't intend to alter their pet's reproductive status because they think it is good for the children to witness the birth. The reasons are endless, but the end result remains the same - thousands of unwanted animals left to be put to sleep in shelters. Owners typically believe that they will find good homes for all the pups so this reasoning doesn't apply to them. However, many puppies end up in shelters shortly after that new owner takes them home.

Reasons such as behavior problems (AKA lack of training), and housing or apartment limitations are commonly given to shelters when the pups are abandoned. So, the most important reason for altering pet dogs is to decrease the many unnecessary pet deaths taking place in shelters across the United States on a daily basis.

Still, there are many other reasons to alter your pet and many of these reasons are directly related to the current or future health of your pet.

For Females: Just a few of the concerns...1) Mammary Cancer: It has been shown that female dogs spayed prior to their first heat will have almost no incidence of mammary (breast) cancer later in life. This is because by spaying your dog you are eliminating the estrogen hormonal surge that occurs with each heat cycle. Studies have also shown that dogs spayed after their 3rd heat cycle are at a greater then 90% or better risk of developing this cancer. Therefore, by spaying your pet early you will be able to prevent this type of cancer.

2) Pyometra: Intact female dogs are at risk of developing a potentially life threatening uterus infection called pyometra. If not caught this infection can make the dog extremely ill and can result in death.

3) Dystocia: Pregnancy will commonly result in problems during parturition or the act of giving birth. Any type of dog can develop dystocia (stuck puppy). Dystocia often requires the mother to undergo a lengthy and expensive surgical procedure to remove the puppies called a caesarian section.

4) Prevention of the estrus cycle. Intact females will cycle about every 6 months and this will result in vaginal bleeding for 2-3 weeks and unwanted attention from the boys.

For Males: just a few:

1) Trauma: In my mind the most important reason of all! Intact male dogs are the number one trauma victim. They not only end up in dog fights, but they nose their way into trouble by escaping the house or jumping fences in the hunt for a girl. Unfortunately, many of these wanders end up hit by a car or impounded into a shelter.

2) Behavior: Intact male dogs are more likely to be aggressive to others including both dogs and people. Additionally, they are more likely to exhibit such behavior as urine marking.

3) Prostatic Disease including: Abscesses, Infection, Cysts - Occur only in intact males.

4) Testicular cancer is eliminated.

Please, if your dog is to be a pet there is NO reason NOT to neuter him or spay her. For a complete pictorial of a spay and neuter shown step-by-step see my gallery or click link below for photos and anatomy.

Why Spay & Neuter Your Pets?

Jill M. Patt, DVM - Medical Director at Alta Mesa Animal Hospital
Providing Small & Exotic Animal Pet Care in the Valley of the Sun (Mesa, AZ)

http://www.littlecrittersvet.com - Pet Care Information & Photo Gallery

Visit littlecrittersvet for extensive information on small & exotic pet care with > 1000 photos of animals from informative to just darn cute.

http://www.altamesaanimalhospital.com - Alta Mesa Animal Hospital 6704 E. Brown Rd. Mesa, AZ 85205 (480) 981-1244

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