Why Spay your pet? Reduced risk of
mammary tumors
When an ovariohysterctomy (OHE/Spay) is performed prior to the
first heat period in a female animal, the risk of mammary cancer
later in life is less than 1%. When a spay is performed
between the first and second heat periods the risk of developing
mammary cancer later in life is then increased to about 8%.
Anytime after the second heat period the risk of mammary cancer
in female animals is about 25%, whether a spay is performed
later or not. Reduced risk of
pyometra
The other major medical risk to a female animal that can be
avoided by spaying is a pyometra. This is an infection of
the uterus and it occurs in roughly 8% of female animals
sometime during their lifetime. When to spay?
Anytime after four months of age.
We usually recommend scheduling this to be done after they have
their last kitten visit, which is done at four months of age.
Should your pet have its first heat or one
litter before spaying?
NO! This is a myth.
There is absolutely no proven benefit to having one heat or one
litter before spaying. All this does is increase your
pet's risk of mammary cancer.
Why Neuter Your Pet?
Why did Spot cross the road?
He loved the ladies on the other side. Unfortunately, Tom
never made it. About 80% of cats hit by vehicles every year are
males that have not been neutered. Or if he was lucky enough to
make it Jill’s owner was not pleased to see him and took matters
into his own hands. This is just one of the advantages of
neutering your pet. It decreases his urge to wander and
increases his chances of living a longer, healthier life. It
will also prevent all the unwanted puppies that are euthanized
every year.
Some myths of neutering:
My pet will be a "wimp" without them. False!
Testicles do not contain "manliness" so removing them does
not make your cat a wimp.
It will make your cat fat and lazy. False!
Overeating and reduced exercise causes excess weight gain
not the lack of testicles.
It will change my cat’s personality. True! But
only in a good way! It will decrease some of the "bad
habits" associated with not being neutered, which includes
roaming, marking behavior, excessive urination and
defecation, and some forms of aggression. But genetics and
training are the most important contributors to your pet’s
behavior.
Health Reasons for Neutering:
When deciding whether to neuter your pet, do not confuse your
own perceptions or feelings with those of your cat. He has not
emotional biases. Rather, study the medical and social benefits
of having a castrated non-breeding cat.
Be a responsible pet owner and neuter your pets!
Feline Nutrition
:: Preventative Healthcare
:: Feline Dentistry ::
Heartworm Prevention
Spaying or Neutering Your
Cat :: Feline Flea & Tick
Prevention
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