Adopting a pet is a big responsibility. Your new pet will depend on you for food, shelter, love, and affection. You also need to make sure that your pet gets the medical care they need, which includes being spayed or neutered. At Heritage Veterinary Hospital, we have years of experience providing residents of Creve Coeur, MO, and the surrounding areas with spay and neuter services.
What Are Spay & Neuter?
Spaying and neutering are the sterilization process for female and male pets respectively. Spaying involves the veterinarian removing a pet’s ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes. During a neutering procedure, the veterinarian removes a pet’s testicles.
Medical Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
Having your pet spayed can be very beneficial. This procedure can prevent uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine infections. Also, female dogs won't menstruate after being spayed. Having your pet neutered will prevent testicular cancer and prostate cancer, both of which are often fatal. Spaying and neutering are also important because they prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Behavioral Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
When you have your female pet spayed, she won't go into heat. When female pets go into heat, they will yowl to attract a mate. Male dogs often urinate in the house to mark their territory. Neutering will curb this behavior. Also, neutered pets will not leave the house to find a mate, preventing them from becoming lost or injured. Neutered cats no longer spray, which will keep your home smelling fresh.
When Should I Have My Pet Spayed or Neutered?
Dogs are typically neutered when they are between six and nine months of age. However, dogs can be neutered as young as eight-weeks-old as long as they are healthy. Female dogs should be spayed between the ages of four and six months.
A cat can be spayed or neutered as young as eight weeks old. It is recommended that you have your cat neutered before he turns a year old, which is when cats start to spray. Female cats should be spayed before their first heat.
What Can I Expect?
Spaying and neutering is an outpatient procedure. Your pet will likely be drowsy when you bring them home due to anesthesia. Your pet may have a cone on their head to prevent them from licking and biting their stitches. It usually takes between ten and fourteen days for incisions to heal completely.
Visit Our Veterinarian
If your pet is ready to be spayed or neutered, schedule an appointment with Heritage Veterinary Hospital in Creve Coeur. Our veterinarian will examine your pet to ensure that they are healthy enough for surgery. For more information about spaying and neutering or to schedule an appointment, call us at (314) 878-8454.