Pet Spay & Neuter

What Are Spay and Neuter Surgeries?

Spay & neuter are types of surgeries that are performed on pets in order to sterilize them. Spay is the term used to describe such surgery for a female pet, and neuter is the term used for a male pet.

Spaying

In most cases, when spaying your female pet, your veterinarian will perform an ovariohysterectomy, which removes both the uterus and the ovaries as part of a female pet’s surgery. Having a standard hysterectomy, removing the uterus and a portion of the fallopian tubes, but leaving the ovaries prevents pregnancy but leaves the instinct to mate. There is also the possible option of removing only the ovaries and not the uterus, which will also stop the heat cycle.

Neutering

When a male pet is neutered, the typical procedure is called an orchiectomy, where the testes of a dog or cat are removed. This not only eliminates his ability to reproduce but also lessens undesirable mating behavior. Alternatively, a vasectomy may be performed, which leaves a male pet’s testes mostly intact. This leaves the hormones and corresponding mating behaviors.

Benefits of Getting Your Pet Spayed or Neutered

Spaying or neutering your pet is a common recommendation for a number of reasons. For one, spay and neuter surgeries help control unwanted pregnancy and shelter overcrowding. There are a number of health benefits as well. Both neutered male and spayed female pets have a reduced risk for cancer and reproductive-related infections. In many cases, pets are calmer after they are spayed or neutered.

When to Get Your Pet Spayed or Neutered

If you are starting your pet-owning experience with a new puppy or kitten, it is generally recommended to spay or neuter at 4-6 months before sexual maturity or a heat cycle happens. If you miss this window, it is still worthwhile to have the procedure done. Some pets are spayed or neutered as young as six weeks, especially if they come from a shelter where it is customary to not let pets be adopted without being spayed or neutered.

At Paradise Animal Hospital, we want you and your pet to enjoy the best quality of life together and make sure there is a clean bill of health before any surgical procedure, including spaying neutering. To learn more about spaying and neutering and how to make sure you have the timing right, contact us at Paradise Animal Hospital in Augusta, GA, at 706-860-4544 to schedule an appointment.