Providing your dog with comprehensive preventive care including reproductive surgery can help to manage unwanted behaviors and litters while protecting against serious diseases. Here, our Toledo vets share the benefits of having your dog fixed and what to expect during and after the spaying or neutering surgery.
The Importance of Spaying or Neutering Dogs & Cats
If you have a new puppy you might be wondering why you should get your dog spayed or neutered, particularly if your dog will be on leash during walks and otherwise confined to your home and garden.
There are many reasons to have your dog fixed, including some significant health benefits, behavioral benefits, and possibly even financial benefits!
Spaying Female Dogs in Toledo
A growing issue in America is the number of unwanted dogs and puppies in the shelter system. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that 3.3 million dogs pass through shelters each year.
Health Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Spaying your female dog before her first 'heat' can help to prevent uterine infections and breast tumors which can often be malignant or cancerous.
Financial Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Preventing the birth of unwanted puppies is good for your pocketbook. While there is a fee for spaying, this fee is relatively low when compared to the cost of caring for a pregnant dog, calling a vet for the birth of the puppies, and caring for newborns.
Deciding Not To Spay Your Female Dog
When female dogs are not spayed, they go through a reproductive stage often referred to as 'heat' about twice a year. During this stage, male dogs will be attracted to your female for about 18 days. This can lead to unwanted male dogs visiting your yard and possibly unwanted puppies.
Spaying Female Dogs in Toledo
As with spaying female dogs, when you neuter your male dog you help to reduce the population of unwanted dogs in the United States.
Health Benefits of Neutering Your Dog
By neutering your dog, you eliminate the risk of them developing testicular cancer and significantly reduce the risk of prostate diseases which can be serious. Neutering also helps to reduce the risk of perianal tumors and perineal hernias in your dog.
Behavioral Benefits of Neutering Your Dog
Neutering can help to curb your dog's desire to roam and may help to reduce behaviors such as mounting and aggression towards other dogs.
Deciding Not To Neuter Your Male Dog
Several undesirable behaviors are typical of male dogs that have not been neutered. These include heightened territorial behavior, being over-protective of people and toys, roaming (seeking female dogs), and aggression towards other dogs.
When should you bring your dog or puppy in to be fixed?
Many vets recommend having dogs spayed or neutered when they are between five and nine months of age. Adult dogs can also be spayed or neutered. Consult your vet to find out when you should get your dog fixed.
What can you expect during the spaying or neutering process?
Leading up to your dog's spay or neuter surgery, your vet will provide you with complete post-surgical instructions to help you prepare your dog for surgery.
Once the surgery is complete your vet will provide you with post-operative instructions for helping your dog recover comfortably. Depending on which procedure has been performed, pain medication may be sent home with your dog.
There are a few key differences between recovery for female and male dogs. These differences are:
- Generally, female dogs take longer to recover after being spayed than male dogs after being neutered. Once a female has been spayed, she is considered sterile and unable to have puppies.
- Male dogs are not considered sterile immediately following surgery! It can take as long as 6 weeks for a neutered male to be considered sterile.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.