Your pet’s health means as much to us as it does to you. Atlas Animal Hospital & Emergency Vancouver is dedicated to caring for and treating your pets. We want to give your pet the best life possible. In some cases, this includes offering spaying and neutering services. These are just a few ways spaying and neutering pets can help them live their best lives.
But what does spaying or neutering mean for your pet? Many people are under the mistaken impression that it is only about preventing unplanned or unwanted litters. While that is certainly an important reason, it is far from the only reason to consider having your pets spayed and neutered. The reasons below are just a few reasons, aside from pet population control, to consider having your cats and dogs spayed and neutered.
Prevent Uterine Infections and Breast Tumors
Considering that 50 percent of these tumors are malignant or cancerous in dogs, and 90 percent in cats, and having these animals spayed prior to their first heat has the greatest impact on preventing these diseases, why not have it done? Males who are neutered have decreased risks of testicular cancer and some issues with their prostates as well.
Reduces Behavior Problems Associated with Mating Urges
This includes a wide range of negative behaviors, such as urine marking, spraying, roaming, aggression, and even various dominant behaviors. Many of these behaviors are associated with aggression related to urges to mate. Neutering and spaying can eliminate many of them.
Reduce Unnecessary Animal Deaths
Many animal deaths are related to overpopulation that is related to pets not being spayed or neutered. Unwanted litters result in widespread animal homelessness as well as unwanted animals that end up in overpopulated kill shelters. This is heartbreaking and largely preventable.
Helping Your Pet Recover from Surgery
Of course, there will be a time of recovery once the surgery is complete. That means you’ll need to monitor your pet closely to prevent infections or unnecessary pain after the surgery. The following general tips in addition to specific instructions your veterinarian provides.
- Give your pet a quiet space in which to recover.
- Keep your pet from getting excited, running, and jumping for two weeks following the surgery.
- Don’t allow your pet to lick the incision site, even if you must use a collar/cone.
- Check the incision location daily to confirm healing and note signs of infection.
- Don’t bathe your pet for at least 10 days after surgery.
- Make appropriate follow-up appointments with your veterinarian and keep them.
Spaying and neutering your pets helps to pause the rampant overpopulation of pets and can make your pet live longer and behave better in the process. Contact Atlas Animal Hospital & Emergency Vancouver to learn more about the process and what it can mean for your precious pet.
What Is Spaying or Neutering?
When a pet is spayed or neutered, it is altered so that its reproductive organs are no longer able to function. This will keep a female pet from becoming pregnant or a male pet from impregnating a female animal. This will reduce the population of unwanted kittens or puppies. The procedure is done in a surgical setting and will require that the pet has general anesthesia so it is not awake during the process. Spaying is the term that people use to describe the alteration of a female animal while neutering is the term used for males.
Why Is Spaying or Neutering Important?
Getting a pet spayed or neutered is an important process that every pet owner should consider. In addition to the pet no longer being able to reproduce, there are some benefits that pet owners find positive. A male dog or cat will often become more docile in behavior as they will no longer be fighting for the attention of a female animal. Females will be less likely to try to roam away from home in search of a mate. Cats that are not altered will often urinate in the home. This behavior may cease after spaying or neutering takes place. Yowling and barking may be less of an occurrence as well.
What Can I Do For My Pet After the Procedure?
On the date of your pet’s surgery, you will need to refrain from feeding your pet or giving it water for several hours before the surgical time. This will keep your pet from aspirating while the surgery takes place. Our vet will perform the surgery and then someone from our office will call you to alert you of your pet’s condition. Your pet may seem lethargic as they recover from their surgery. Allow your pet to rest and call our veterinarian if they do not seem alert after a day or so. Make sure your pet does not try to bite at their incision area as well.