Veterinarians, animal care personnel, and multitudes of pet owners recommend pets be spayed or neutered. The veterinarians and staff at Methuen Veterinary Hospital in Methuen, MA, perform hundreds of these operations each year. Read on to learn more about the benefits of having your pets spayed and neutered.
The Spaying & Neutering Procedure
The spay and neuter procedure is relatively simple. Our veterinarian will anesthetize the animal, make a small incision, and remove the reproductive organs. The procedure typically takes between five and thirty minutes for a male and between forty-five minutes and an hour for a female. Your pet won't feel any pain during the surgery. After surgery, the pet is given pain medication. After the procedure, it is normal for the pet to act groggy, but this will subside after a few hours. Our veterinarian will give you follow-up care instructions for your pet.
Health Benefits of Spaying & Neutering
There are many benefits to spaying or neutering your pet. When a pet is spayed, she will not go into heat. Over time, repeated heat cycles increase a pet’s risk of breast cancer. She won't be at risk of breast cancer or other hormone-related diseases by having the spay procedure done.
When males are neutered, it removes the chance of testicular cancer and reduces a pet's tendency to roam. As with females, male dogs go through hormonal changes that can cause them to become aggressive or destructive.
In all cases, spayed and neutered pets are calmer. Their moods are more predictable, and they tend to mark their territory less. Spaying and neutering is the most cost-effective way to control overpopulation and animal homelessness.
Preparing Your Pet
The best time to have this procedure done is when your pet is six months old, though larger breeds of dogs may need to wait until they are older. Our veterinarian will assess your pet’s condition to determine the best age to have him or her fixed. All dogs and cats should be spayed or neutered unless specifically kept intact for special breeding programs. If you have an older pet, it's still advantageous to have them spayed or neutered. While they can still develop hormone-related diseases, their chances are far lower.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Veterinarian in Methuen
At Methuen Veterinary Hospital, we have been performing spaying and neutering procedures for pet owners in Methuen, MA for many years. Call us today at (978) 685-8031for more information or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.