There is a crisis of pet overpopulation in Ontario and this is the case in many places around the world as well. Animals in shelters are saved from the streets, neglect, and cruelty, while some are given up by their families. Countless others never make it to shelters and suffer without someone to care for them. There are not enough shelters available to support the population of unwanted pets and, very sadly, millions that arrive at the shelter every year do not get adopted and are euthanized. Spaying or neutering is the most effective and humane way to save lives!
Health Benefits
Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer and totally prevents common, serious and life-threatening uterine infections (pyometra) and uterine cancer. Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland, and greatly reduces their risk for perianal tumors.
In the case of large breed dogs, studies have shown that spaying/neutering after a year of age can help prevent or minimize certainly orthopedic issues later on in life. New studies and information is being published every day and we welcome conversation regarding the best time to spay or neuter your particular pet. Please ask us for more information!
The act of birthing in the natural animal kingdom is usually uneventful; however, complications in domestic pets can arise and require veterinary intervention. Sometimes, caesarian sections are necessary to save a mother and her young if birthing is difficult and the health of the mother and puppies is in jeopardy. This comes at an added cost and must be prepared for. Time and cost of raising puppies and kittens must also be considered (quarantine, cleaning, feeding, vaccinating, deworming, rehoming, etc).
Behavioural Benefits
Spayed and neutered dogs are more successfully housetrained. Unneutered dogs are much more assertive and prone to urine marking (lifting his leg) than neutered dogs. Although it is most often associated with male dogs, females may do it, too. Spaying or neutering your dog should reduce urine-marking and may stop it entirely.
For cats, the urge to spray is extremely strong in an intact cat, and the simplest solution is to spay or neuter before there’s even a problem (usually 5-6 months of age). Neutering solves 90 percent of all marking issues. It can also minimize howling, the urge to roam, and fighting with other males.
In both cats and dogs, the longer you wait, the greater the risk the behavior becomes deep-rooted.
Other behavioral problems that can be ameliorated by spay/neuter include:
- Escape from the home/yard, and roaming the streets (intact males and females searching for mates)
- Aggression: Studies also show that most dog bites involve dogs who are unaltered.
- Excessive barking/wailing, mounting people/objects/other animals, and other dominanance-related behaviours.
- Frustration in resisting the natural urge to mate. Your companion will be less distracted, more easily trained, and a more contented member of your family.
Spaying and neutering will not change their personality; in fact, it is more likely to curb negative behaviours thereby making them an even better pet!
Benefits to your community:
Spaying and neutering helps reduce the number of strays and unwanted animals in a community.
- Stray animals get into garbage cans, scare people, cause car accidents, and damage property.
- Irresponsible or accidental breeding contributes to dog attacks and bites.
- Some stray animals kill or injur wildlife
- Communities spend millions of tax dollars every year to provide care for unwanted, abandoned and neglected animals.
Additional benefits
- having a female dog in heat living in the home can be very messy! Bloody discharge must be cleaned from the floor or diapers can be applied and changed regularly to help prevent the mess.
- costs of pet ownership can be improved by reducing injuries from aggression and roaming, caring for additional pets, dealing with health concerns that arise (pyometra, cancer). City licensing and renewal fees and pet insurance costs are also less for spayed/neutered pets.
- The decision to breed is a very important and serious one. Knowledge, diligence and funding is required to select breeding stock in order to help prevent passing uncomfortable, painful or costly genetic health conditions down to subsequent generations. This may involve routine physical examination and bloodwork, genetic testing, xrays, ultrasounds, and specialist cardiac and eye examinations.
Additional Resources:
Spay/Neuter Behaviour Benefits:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1570
Spaying and Neutering Can Cost Pet Lives:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=209Postponing
Y2Spay
http://www.y2spay.org/
ASPCA:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/spay-neuter
Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet:
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/why_spay_neuter.html
Why Spay and Neuter:
http://www.paws.org/get-involved/take-action/explore-the-issues/spay-and-neuter/
Spaying/Neutering:
http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/caring-for-your-pet/spaying-neutering.html
Pyometra:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=603
Anaesthesia Conerns?
Link goes here…
What to expect when you bring your pet in for a spay or neuter:
Just as for humans, it is necessary to fast dogs and cats for 12 hours prior to their procedure. You are welcome to bring any special blankets or comforting toys with them during their stay.
Pre-anaesthetic blood work is recommended for all pets undergoing anaesthesia and/or surgical procedures. Although a pet may appear healthy on the outside, there may be issues on the inside that we are not aware of such as sub-clinical kidney or liver disease, anemia, infection or others. Blood work helps us to discover these underlying issues prior to anaesthesia so that we can design the safest, most appropriate anaesthetic protocol that is customized to your pet’s needs. Additionally, It also provides us with baseline reference blood values that can be used as comparison if concerns arise in the future.
Intravenous fluids are highly recommended for all pets undergoing anaesthesia and/or surgical procedures. It helps to ensure adequate hydration, maintains blood pressure and helps your pet recover from anaesthesia more quickly and comfortably. In addition, having access to a vein makes the procedure much safer in case actions need to be taken in the event of an emergency.
Spays and neuters are typically day procedures. Drop off time is between 8-8:30am and they can go home by late afternoon or evening.
Our veterinarians and/or technicians will review homecare instructions and pain medication administration.
Pets should remain as quiet as possible for the first 7-10 days following surgery. This means no running or jumping or engaging in any vigorous activity as this may cause swelling at the surgery site, delayed healing and can lead to infection (dogs can go outside on a leash for toileting purposes). It is very important that your pet not lick at the incision area as this will create irritation, infection and delay healing. As a result, we recommend your pet have an Elizabethan collar which should be worn at all times when your pet is not directly supervised, including at night. The collar is flexible and comfortably slept in. If there is swelling or discharge from the incision area, please let us know. We recommend we see your pet for a recheck in 7-10 days following the surgery to ensure the area is healing well, and remove the sutures if necessary. Your pet can have a smaller than normal meal shortly after arriving home, and then resume regular eating the following day to help prevent intestinal upset. If you have any problems or concerns before the time of your recheck, please let us know.
We highly recommend that you do Microchip your pet. Microchipping offers you a permanent method of identifying your pet and without proper identification, it is difficult to reunite pets with their owners should they become lost.
Each year, thousands of lost and abandoned animals are taken in by shelters and humane societies across North America; some never make it back home because they can’t be identified.
Collar tags can break or become unreadable and tattooing can become illegible. So, if you want to improve your pet’s chances of getting home fast and safe in case it goes missing, microchipping is your best option.
Microchipping offers pet owners the security and peace of mind that comes from the only permanent pet identification technology and a safe and secure way to reunite you and your pet, via our Lost Pet Recovery Service.
