If you’re not interested in having your dog or cat have babies, you may want to spay and neuter them. Spaying means sterilizing a female dog or cat by removing the ovaries and sometimes the uterus. Neutering involves removing the testicles of a male cat or dog to keep it from reproducing. North Shore Animal Hospital provides safe spaying and neutering services to pet owners living in Lynn, MA, and the surrounding area.
Why Should I Spay or Neuter My Pets?
Spaying or neutering your pet animals provides many benefits. Spaying a cat or dog keeps them from going into heat, which removes the urge to go outside and get into potentially dangerous situations. Other benefits of spaying your pet include:
- Relieving female pets of hormone fluctuations
- Removes the possibility of a female dog or cat developing pyometra, a uterine infection
- Helps prevent the possibility of your pet developing breast cancer
- Removes the risk of developing ovarian or uterine cancer
- Helps control separation anxiety
Neutering provides similar benefits for male pets, like:
- Lowering the risk of developing a prostate infection
- Removing the risk of your male dog or cat ending up with testicular cancer
- Reducing a male dog or cat’s level of aggression
- Cutting down on any roaming behavior
- Lowering the risk of developing a disease because of hormone issuesl in Lynn, MA by calling 781-596-0510.
What Do Spaying and Neutering Involve?
Cats should not be spayed before they are five months old. You should wait until a female dog is at least four to six months old before considering the procedure. The vet will perform a checkup, including blood tests, that confirm the animal is in good condition. Vets follow the same processes to make sure dogs and cats scheduled for neutering do not have health problems that might affect the outcome.
Animals typically receive anesthesia that renders them unconscious during the operation. The vet monitors your pet’s breathing throughout to make sure there are no complications.
- Spaying — The surgeon makes an incision below the dog or cat’s belly button, then removes just the ovaries or both the uterus and ovaries.
- Neutering — The surgeon makes an incision in the front of the scrotum, then removes the dog or cat’s testicles.
You should restrict the movement of pets recovering after a spaying or neutering procedure for around five to ten days. Most dogs are ready to go on walks with a leash by then. You should avoid bathing your pet or let them do things like run upstairs until their sutures heal. The vet may prescribe a collar to keep them from bothering the area of the incision.
Spay And Neuter Your Pet Today
Spaying or neutering your pet can make them more comfortable and extend their lifespan. Schedule an appointment with North Shore Animal Hospital in Lynn, MA by calling 781-596-0510.
