Everything You Need To Know About Spaying/Neutering Your Pet In Houston, TX

Spaying or neutering your dog is one of the most responsible things you can do for your pet. If you have never spayed or neutered your pet before, you may be wondering whether it is safe for your pet, what the procedures entail, and what the difference is between neutering and spaying.

Distinction Between Spaying and Neutering?

Spaying is surgically removing a female pet’s reproductive organs. The removal of a male pet’s reproductive organ is known as neutering. When a female dog is spayed, the vet removes her ovaries and, in most cases, her uterus. This procedure is also called an ovariohysterectomy. Spaying a female dog makes her infertile and ends her heat cycle.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), most breeding instinctive behavior will cease, but this is not always the case.

When a dog is neutered, its testicles and any structures connected to them are removed. Castration is the alternative name for this procedure. According to the AVMA, neutering makes a male dog sterile, but it does not always stop any behavior linked to breeding instincts, such as humping. Depending on the dog’s age and other variables, it may not be the case.

Why Spay and Neuter your Pet?

Animal shelters across the U.S are overflowing with unwanted pets. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), about 6.5 million animals are rescued yearly. Only an estimated 3.2 million of those 6.5 million animals find their way out of shelters or rescues and into homes; the rest who do not get adopted end up being euthanized. All these can be prevented if pets are either spayed or neutered.

Spaying is also a good option for those who believe they will be unable to devote the time and money required to care for a pet’s potential offspring.

Spaying prevents conception and has some health benefits. Any diseases associated with the female uterus are unlikely to affect your pet!

One advantage of spaying your female pet is that your female pet will no longer go into “heat” and would be easier to care for.

The primary advantage of neutering your male pet is the same as highlighted above. When you go on your pet walk, it will be less likely to “mark its territory” by racing to “go” at every passing pole or post! You lower the chances of your pet missing while chasing a female in “heat.”

Neutering male pets prevents them from developing testicular cancer, enlarged prostate, or perianal fistula. Furthermore, testosterone levels in your male pet will drop significantly following such a procedure. Lower testosterone usually results in a less aggressive animal.

What to know; before and after the Surgical Procedure.

The most frequently asked question is whether or not neutering and spaying a pet is safe. There is always some risk involved when an animal (or a person) is under anesthesia. However, modern medical practices make surgical procedures extremely safe. Some pointers for assisting your pet before and after surgery can make the process go more smoothly for your pet. Among these suggestions are:

• Ensure your pet gets plenty of rest in the days leading up to the surgery, and keep your pet at home and resting for about two weeks afterward.
• Ensure your pets do not consume food or water after midnight on the day before surgery.
• During recovery, keep your pet away from other animals. Other animals may excite your pet, causing it to want to jump around and play excessively, exhausting himself.
• Inspect the incision area daily to ensure that it does not reopen. Also, make every effort to keep your pet from licking the area. When an animal licks an incision site, it can spread infection. If this occurs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Finally, stick to your veterinarian’s post-surgery advice!

Age to Spay or Neuter

A consensus is that a pet’s neutering should occur between 4-6 months. Our vets recommend that you wait at least six months.

NB: Veterinarians, NOT just anyone, perform these surgical treatments that prevent pets from reproducing. Perhaps you intend to have your pet neutered or spayed at an animal hospital, and you reside in Houston, Texas, do visit Safari Veterinary Care Center.

We are often called stem cell safari due to our achievements in stem cell therapy; for this reason, we are known as one of the best veterinarians here in Houston, TX.