Understanding Spay & Neuter with Suburban Veterinary Clinic in Maple Heights, OH
You may know spaying or neutering as "fixing" or sterilizing an animal. Both procedures prevent pets from reproducing. Spaying is performed on females and neutering on males. Sterilization reduces the number of unwanted pets. These procedures also can make your pets happier and healthier. As with any medical procedure, you should discuss the exact timing with your Maple Heights veterinarian here at Suburban Veterinary Clinic.
Spaying involves removing both the uterus and ovaries from female dogs or cats. Neutering is castrating male dogs or cats. Our veterinarians perform both for our clients. We want your pets to be as happy and healthy as possible, and our spay & neuter services can give the benefits of sterilization to your pets.
Benefits of Having Your Pet Fixed
Pets that are fixed have several health advantages. Both males and females live longer. In fact, male dogs live 18 percent longer when neutered. Females live 23 percent longer after spaying compared to their non-fixed counterparts. Some of this comes from the reduction in reproductive cancers encountered by fixed animals. Another part of this increased longevity stems from fixed animals' reduced aggression and roaming tendencies.
We hear about pet owners who have given up pets due to aggression or undesirable behaviors. But spraying, humping, roaming, and aggressiveness can all be remedied by fixing your pet. Males especially become much calmer after neutering. Females don't have the worry experienced during heat. In addition to calmer emotions, pets also experience better health.
Male dogs avoid prostate problems after neutering. Without getting your dog neutered, he could face an 80 percent chance of benign prostatic hyperplasia by age 6. That chance hits almost 100 percent by age 9. This condition, largely due to testosterone, can make it difficult for your pet to defecate.
Uterine cancers and infections, such as pyrometra, can be fatal to unspayed female cats and dogs. Unspayed females also are less likely to develop mammary cancer. It's never too late to have your female cat or dog spayed.
When Should You Get Your Pet Sterilized?
If you have a new puppy or kitten, ask our veterinarian about the perfect timing for spay & neutering. Our Maple Heights clinic can perform sterilization on cats and dogs 8 weeks or older, with veterinarian recommendation. Generally, females should be spayed before their first heat cycle, between 4 and 6 months. Males may be neutered around the same age.
Contact Suburban Veterinary Clinic in Maple Heights, OH Today to Schedule an Appointment!
When you want spay & neuter services, call us at Suburban Veterinary Clinic at (216) 662-6117 to set up an appointment with our Maple Heights, OH vet.