You Save Lives
When you make the decision to Spay (females) or Neuter (male or female) your pet, you are making the decision to help control the overpopulation and homeless- ness epidemic of pets in the United States and other Countries of the World. It is no secret that there are millions of homeless dogs and cats overflowing in animal shelters in the United States. Sadly, not enough people adopt their pets from animal shelters which would help decrease the numbers of dogs and cats in the shelters. According to The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, about half of dogs and cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized. For the overall welfare of pets everywhere, neutering your pet is one way to guarantee any individual cat or dog will not contribute to this overpopulation problem.
What is Neutering?
Neutering is the process of removing all or part of a dog’s reproductive organs so that they cannot reproduce. The term neuter, contrary to popular belief, applies to both sexes. The term spay applies to females while castrate applies to males. Neutering is the most common form of sexual sterilization for animals.
What are the Risks and Benefits?
Many studies have attempted to look at the health risks and benefits of getting your pet spayed / neutered. When you decide to neuter in Ocala FL, you are removing an entire organ. Most organs serve more than one function so in the case of these reproductive organs, they secrete hormones among other things. So, while disabling the ability for a dog to reproduce, we could also be disrupting other biological processes.
Neutering your dog appears to reduce or eliminate the risk for many diseases including some cancers and infections which could be fatal.
Since the uterus and ovaries are removed in a traditional spay, spayed females are not at risk for Pyometra. Pyometra is an infection in the uterus that is serious and life treating that requires treatment quickly and aggressively. Spayed females are also not at risk of uterine or ovarian cancers. Similarly, neutered males are prevented from ever developing testicular cancer because, well, they do not have testicles.
Studies from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, or AVMA, have linked neutering with increased risk with other types of cancers and dis- eases which include bone and blood vessel cancers, ligament injuries, hip dysplasia, and cognitive impairments.
While neutering does solve part of the overpopulation epidemic that we have, it may or may not have long-term health effects on individual dogs or cats.
Does Spaying/Neutering improve my pets Behavior?
Behavior changes after neutering your dog or cat have been debatable. While neutering does seem to affect some behaviors, specifically those related to sex, data has shown that there is nothing to suggest that it will dramatically change their overall personality or behavior.
When should I Spay / Neuter my pet?
Countless data and studies are pointing to the fact that it might be better to wait until your pet reaches physical maturity in order to be properly spayed or neutered. Talk to veterinary professionals you trust and draw your own educated conclusions about the best times, if any, to neuter or spay in Ocala FL. Call us today at (352) 351-3588 to book your appointment to keep your pet safe and healthy!