The most common type of surgery that veterinarians perform on pets is the spay and neuter procedure. It’s safe and painless and it’s one of the best ways to promote the health and wellbeing of your dog or cat. The McCormick Animal Clinic is fully equipped and highly experienced at providing this routine service.
Why Spay Or Neuter Your Pet?
The spay and neuter procedure provides many positive health benefits for pets. Both you and your cat or dog will be happier and more content after it’s done. But there’s another very good reason for having it done. Each year in the U.S., millions of cats and dogs are put to sleep in animal shelters because they’ve been abandoned and there simply aren’t enough homes to adopt them. Having your pet spayed or neutered is one of the best ways to alleviate the pet overpopulation problem.
The Benefits Of Spay And Neuter
In general, it’s recommended that dogs be spayed or neutered at about six months of age and cats at around eight weeks, although your vet will decide the best time for your pet. Neutering involves the removal of the testicles of the male and the removal of the reproductive organs of the female. Males and females benefit in different ways from the spay and neuter procedure:
Males – Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate disorders. Aggressive behavior and the urge to roam is reduced or eliminated, as is the tendency to mark territory by urinating on furniture and carpets.
Females – They will no longer menstruate or go into heat, and the risk of breast and reproductive organ cancers is greatly reduced. The howling and crying behavior associated with the heat cycle will no longer occur.
The Procedure
The night before the procedure, you should not let your pet have anything to eat after 10 PM, although it’s ok for them to drink water. During the procedure, your pet will be sedated with a general anesthetic and fitted with a catheter. Afterward, they’ll stay in a recovery room for a couple of hours, and then they’ll be able to go home with you. They should avoid vigorous exercise for a couple of weeks and steps should be taken to keep them from scratching and biting at their sutures. Your vet will give you instructions for proper care.
McCormick Animal Clinic of Nashville, TN is ready to provide full-service health care for your pet. Schedule your appointment by calling 615-883-8280 or contact us online anytime.
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