Spaying/Neutering
Spaying your Female Pet
(Ovariohysterectomy): Removal of the ovaries and uterus.
Ideal age is 4 to 6 months.
- Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.
- Eliminates unwanted pregnancies.
- If spayed before the first heat cycle, your pet has less than 1 percent chance of developing breast cancer. If spayed after one heat cycle, your pet has an 8 percent chance of developing breast cancer. If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk increases to 26 percent. The take home message is to get your pet spayed.
- Pets with diabetes or epilepsy should be spayed to prevent hormonal changes that might interfere with control of the disease.
Neutering your Male Pet
(Castration): Removal of the testicles and spermatic cord.
Ideal age is 4 to 6 months.
- Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, the second most common tumor in male dogs.
- Greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
- Reduces roaming and fighting.
- Eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered before 6 months of age or before the onset of these behaviors.
- Eliminates unwanted litters.
Spaying or Neutering your pet does not:
- Cause laziness or hyperactivity.
- Reduce his/her instinct to protect your family and home.
- Cause immature behaviors.
- Postpone or delay normal behavior maturity.
- Alter his/her personality in any manner.
