We’ll discuss having your pet spayed or neutered on your first visit to the clinic. It is up to you to decide whether to have the procedure done, but there are many reasons to spay/neuter your pet.
Why should I have my pet spayed/neutered?
If you choose to let your pet mate and end up with a litter or more of little fur balls, you might be in for more than you bargained for. Our cities are full of shelters overwhelmed with animals that never find a forever home. Some of them will end up euthanized. Spaying and neutering our cats and dogs helps slow animal overpopulation.
Another reason is the procedure’s long-term health benefits: your pet is much less likely to develop certain tumours and diseases related to the reproductive organs.
Neutered males are less likely to mark their territory with their urine and stalk female cats in heat.
Aggressive behaviour is also less frequent. Sterilized female cats will not go into heat or bleed.
How will spaying/neutering affect my pet?
In females, the procedure is an ovariohysterectomy (OVH). During the operation, the ovaries, uterine horns, and a part of the cervix are removed.
In males, neutering (or castration) involves removing the testes.
Is the procedure risky?
The health and safety of your pet is always our top priority. During the preoperative consultation, we’ll do a blood test to make sure your pet is able to metabolize the medication administered during general anesthesia. We will also carry out a physical examination to confirm that it’s the right choice for your pet.
How old does my pet need to be before it is spayed/neutered?
Your veterinarian is the best person to answer this, since there are numerous factors to consider, depending on how your dog or cat is growing, and what breed it is. The average age is six months, after your pet has received its core vaccinations. An adult animal can also be spayed or neutered, however, depending on their health condition.
Our team is more than happy to provide additional information and discuss your pet’s specific situation. Give us a call to make an appointment.