What You Need to Know about Spay and Neuter Surgery
Spay/neuter surgery is a decision every pet owner has to make at some point in time. If you’re new to pet ownership, you may have questions about this procedure and whether it’s safe for your dog or cat. Our veterinarians at Wooded Acres Animal Hospital in Manorville have the answers you need to make wise spay/neuter decisions.
What Does it Mean to Spay or Neuter Your Pet?
Spay/neuter surgery, commonly referred to as “altering” or “fixing” your pet, sterilizes your dog or cat to avoid unwanted litters. This veterinary procedure entails removing your pet’s reproductive organs to prevent pregnancy. Although dogs and cats can be fixed as early as eight weeks old, your veterinarian may recommend having this procedure done when your pet is around 4-6 months of age, depending on the size, breed, and health of your pet.
Why Should You Fix Your Pet?
There are numerous reasons to consider spaying or neutering your pet. Here are just a few:
• It prevents unexpected pregnancies and the time and expense of caring for pet babies.
• Pets that have been spayed or neutered have less risk of developing reproductive infections and tumors that can shorten their lifespan.
• Fixed pets have less desire to mate, which can keep your dog from roaming and getting into fights with neighboring dogs or being hit by a car. Your pet will be less focused on mating and more focused on you, which can help you establish a closer bond.
• Spaying or neutering your pet helps control undesirable behaviors like howling in the middle of the night, aggressiveness, and urinating indoors.
• Through spay/neuter surgery, you help reduce the number of homeless pets on the street and keep area shelters from becoming overcrowded with unwanted pets.
If you’re not interested in breeding your pet or caring for your pet’s babies, the humane thing to do is to sterilize your pet.
Contact Our Veterinary Specialists for Safe Spay/Neuter Surgery
To schedule an appointment to spay or neuter your dog or cat in Manorville, contact Wooded Acres Animal Hospital at 631-760-1554.