Anytime you add a new pet to your family, whether a dog, cat, rabbit, or guinea pig, you have an essential decision: should you spay or neuter your new arrival? There are many compelling reasons to choose sterilization for your pet, including population control, health benefits, and behavioral advantages.
You may have questions when it comes time to spay or neuter your pet. Here at the Animal Health Center of Land O' Lakes, FL, we're here to help. Keep reading our top FAQs about spaying and neutering your pet.
What is spaying?
Spaying is a surgical procedure performed by veterinarians to sterilize female animals. For this procedure to be performed safely, your animal must go under anesthesia. Speak to our veterinarian to see if your pet can complete the process. Next, the ovaries and uterus are removed through an incision in the abdomen. This removal prevents the animal from reproduction.
What is neutering?
Neutering is a surgical procedure performed by veterinarians to sterilize male animals. Speak to your veterinarian before and after the process to understand what is happening with your animal. Sometimes the testicles are lodged in the abdomen. This circumstance can cause cancer if it's not taken care of immediately. If all goes well, the testicles are removed through an incision in the scrotum. This removal prevents the animal from reproduction. In addition, this will help your pet with territorial behavior, and your pet will mark areas much less.
Why should I spay or neuter my pet?
Perhaps the most important reason to spay or neuter your pet is to help reduce the homeless animal population. There are simply not enough homes for all the animals born, and animal shelters are overwhelmed caring for the continual influx of homeless pets. As a result, millions of dogs and cats are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them. Spaying or neutering your pet is the best way to help reduce the number of animals being euthanized.
In addition to helping reduce the homeless animal population, there are many health benefits associated with spaying and neutering. For example, spaying eliminates the risk of developing certain types of cancer and other diseases of the reproductive system. For male dogs, neutering can help prevent testicular cancer. In addition, both male and female spayed or neutered pets tend to live longer and healthier lives.
Finally, spaying or neutering your pet can also have significant behavioral benefits. Unneutered male dogs are likely to run away from home in search of a mate, putting them at risk of getting lost or hit by a car. Female dogs who haven’t been spayed go into heat, and during this time, they are prone to running away from home.
Book an Appointment with Our Veterinarian Today
Call the Animal Health Center of Land O' Lakes, FL, today to schedule a spay or neuter appointment for your pet. A veterinarian will help you keep your furry friend healthy and happy. Contact us today by calling (813) 996-3800.