Every year thousands of stray and unwanted animals are euthanized in shelters across the United States. Many of these deaths are the avoidable result of owners failing to spay and neuter their pets. Even if you keep a close watch on your pet, accidents happen, and unexpected offspring means more animals that won’t be given the chance at full, happy lives.

Spaying and neutering can help end this cycle, and both procedures can have health benefits for pets.

Spaying

Spaying is a common surgical procedure performed on female cats and dogs. The process is called an ovariohysterectomy and involves removing the patient’s uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, rendering the animal incapable of reproduction. Pachaug Animal Hospital recommends spaying your cat at 6 months and your dog between 6-12 months depending on their breed and size.

Benefits:

• Prevents unwanted pregnancies
• Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine tumors
• Remove the possibility of uterine infections

Neutering

Neutering is performed on male cats and dogs. This process castrates the animal, removing their testicles and making them unable to impregnate females. Pachaug Animal Hospital recommends neutering your cat at 6 months and your dog between 6-12 months depending on their breed and size.

Benefits

• Reduces roaming and spraying (territory marking)
• Eliminates the risk of testicular and prostate tumors
• Reduces risk of most other prostate diseases

What to expect after surgery

Both spaying and neutering are very safe but are also considered major surgery requiring a full two weeks (14 days) of recovery time. Recovery will include pain medication and lethargy is common for the first couple of days following the procedure. It’s important that you monitor your pet during the recovery period. This includes:

· Limiting activity. Walk your pet on a leash to eliminate, and keep him or her in a crate or kennel when unsupervised.
· Preventing the pet from licking or biting the incision. Use an e-collar or inflatable collar.
· Keeping the incision dry. No baths during the recovery period.
· Making sure your pet’s pain is managed. Call us if your pet appears to be having discomfort.
· Keeping recently neutered males away from unspayed females. They can still impregnate a female for up to 30 days after they are neutered.

Your Pachaug Animal Hospital veterinarian can help you determine when is the best age to have your pet spayed or neutered, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (860) 376-2544.