Important Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Spaying your female pet (ovariohysterectomy)
- Removal of the ovaries and uterus
- Ideal age is 4 to 6 months
- If spayed before the first heat cycle, your pet has a less than 1 percent chance of developing breast cancer
- If spayed after one heat cycle, the risk increases by 50 percent. After two heat cycles, no protective benefit exists
- Pets with diabetes or epilepsy should be spayed to prevent hormonal changes that may interfere with medication
- Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer
- Eliminates unwanted pregnancies
Neutering your male pet (castration)
- Removal of the testicles and spermatic cord. Ideal age is 6 months
- Reduces roaming and fighting
- Reduces urine odor
- Eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered before 6 months of age, or before the onset of these behaviors
- Eliminates unwanted litters
Unfortunate Reality
More than 4 million pets are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters each year simply because they have no home. Many are puppies and kittens less than 6 months old. Help stop this needless loss of life. Spay and neuter your pets.
Common Myths
Spaying or neutering your pets does not:
- Cause laziness or hyperactivity
- Reduce its instinct to protect your family and home
- Cause immature behaviors
- Postpone or delay normal behavioral maturity
- Alter its personality in any manner
Our staff can answer your questions about spaying or neutering your pet, or any other procedure your pet may undergo at our hospital. Please donu2019t hesitate to ask.