Spay/Neuter
– Did You Know?
Did
you know that a spayed or neutered animal will live a longer, healthier life?
Spaying a female removing the ovaries and uterus) or neutering a male (removing
the testicles) are veterinary procedures performed under general anesthesia.
Both surgeries usually require minimal hospitalization. The ASPCA strongly
recommends spaying or neutering your pet as early as possible. Besides
preventing unwanted litters, neutering a male cat or dog before six months of
age prevents testicular cancer and prostate disease. Spaying a female cat or
dog helps prevent pyometra (a pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer. Treatment of
pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous fluids, antibiotics and spaying.
Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and 90 percent of female
cats. For an older, seriously ill animal, anesthesia and surgery are
complicated and costly. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best
protection from these diseases.
Did
you know that a spayed or neutered animal is better behaved?
Males: Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand,
unsterilized, unsupervised males roam in search of a mate, risking injury in traffic
and in fights with other males. They mark their territory by spraying
strong-smelling urine on surfaces. Indoors, male dogs may embarrass you by mounting furniture and
human legs when stimulated. Don’t confuse aggressiveness with protectiveness—a
neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as an un-neutered dog,
and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
Females: While their cycles vary greatly, most female cats exhibit the
following signs when in heat. For four or five days every three weeks during
breeding season, they yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the
house—advertising for mates. Female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a week,
and can conceive for another week or so. Often, they attract un-neutered
males—some from great distances—who spray urine around the females’ homes.
Join in the fight against pet overpopulation. Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds
are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. Many of these are the result of
unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or
neutering. Rarely surviving for more than a few years on their own, strays die
painfully by starvation, disease, freezing or being hit by cars.
The ASPCA encourages states, counties and local communities to establish low-cost spay/neuter programs. Fortunately our community and state has such programs in place. Call Precious Pups Animal Rescue for more information. 518-483-7528, or email info@thepreciouspups.com