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. In female dogs uterine
infections are a greater risk than in other species, due to the
unusual way in which dogs have estrus cycles. The long
interval between cycles with a closed cervix leads to severe
infections developing with no clinical signs and so the
condition is often life threatening by the time it is discovered
by the veterinarian. When to spay?
Anytime after four months of age.
We usually recommend scheduling this to be done after they have
their last puppy 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, Spot
never made it. About 80% of dogs 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 dog a wimp.
It will make your dog fat and lazy. False!
Overeating and reduced exercise causes excess weight gain
not the lack of testicles.
It will change my dog’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:
Testicular tumors are very common in older dogs. If they
don’t have testicles they don’t get testicular tumors.
Castration also prevents most diseases of the prostate:
hyperplasia, prostatitis, cysts, and abscesses.
Unfortunately it doses not prevent prostatic tumors
completely but does significantly decrease their chances of
developing a tumor.
Castration prevents dogs that carry heritable diseases
from accidentally being passed on. This would be things such
as hip dysplasia, allergies, or other congenital conditions.
Dogs that have only one testicle or both testicles that
do not descend (Cryptorchid) should be neutered. Cryptorchid
dogs are at much higher risk of developing testicular
cancer, and the condition is hereditary.
When deciding whether to neuter your pet, do not confuse your
own perceptions or feelings with those of your dog. He has not
emotional biases. Rather, study the medical and social benefits
of having a castrated non-breeding dog.
Be a responsible pet owner and neuter your pets!
Canine Nutrition
:: Preventative Healthcare
:: Canine Dentistry ::
Heartworm Prevention
Spaying or Neutering
:: Flea & Tick Prevention
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