Austin Vet Clinics

Spaying and Neutering Pets

Spaying and Neutering Statistics

Spaying and neutering pets is often associated with pain and is seen as a necessary evil when performed. However, there are many health benefits to spaying and neutering animals. While some pain may be inevitable for your pet in the very beginning, the surgical procedure can greatly improve their quality of life and even help them live longer lives. There are also benefits to the animal population as a whole when pets get spayed or neutered. Each day, over 10,000 humans are born and over 70,000 dogs and cats are born. Most people do not have seven pets, and many people don’t have pets at all. This means that there are already more than enough pets for animals, and their unfortunate situation is worsening every day. These ownerless animals are left on the streets to beg for food, and many end up being euthanized (killed) in pounds. In a very real way, it is a pet owner’s responsibility to neuter their animals if the owner doesn’t intend to take care of its offspring.

Benefits of spaying and Neutering

• Spaying Female Pets

Spaying female pets helps reduce the risk of mammary tumors, breast cancer, tumors of the ovaries or uterus, uterine infections, ovarian cancer, pregnancy and pregnancy complications, and stress that can lead to risk of additional diseases such as heart cancer.

• Spaying Male Pets

Spaying male pets helps eliminate prostate enlargement, wandering and escaping, prostate cancer, tumors in the testicles, penis and anal area, prostate tumors and infections, and excessive stress that can quickly lead to higher risk for other diseases, including heart disease.

Spayed and Neutered Animals are Better Pets

“Spayed or neutered pets” even become better pets by offering their owners more affection and they are less likely to run away. They are also less likely to fight other animals, contract diseases through contact with other animals, and they also won’t mark their territory with urine. In addition, they are less likely to bite or have behavior problems.

When to Spray or Neuter Pets

Pets should be spayed or neutered when they are at least five to six months old, but the exact timing should be determined by your Austin Vet Clinics. Your veterinarian will also be able to answer any additional questions you may have about the procedure and the period of time immediately following the procedure.