Spaying and neutering help improve pets' lives
Published 7:00 pm, Friday, July 3, 2009
By Dr. Jennifer Johnson
Besides providing a good home and lots of loving care, spaying or neutering your pet is one of the best things you can do for him. These routine medical procedures not only help control pet overpopulation, but they can also help prevent certain medical and behavioral problems giving pets longer, healthier and happier lives.
Spaying and neutering are the common terms used to describe the procedures performed on a pet in order to render the animal incapable of reproducing. Spaying is the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus in a female animal; neutering is the surgical removal of the testicles in a male animal. The veterinarian performs these procedures with the pet under general anesthesia in a surgical environment. Your pet will usually stay overnight and go home the following day.
Traditionally, dogs and cats are sterilized to assist in population control. According to the Humane Society of the United States, approximately 6 million to 8 million animals are admitted annually into shelters across the country; 3 million to 4 million of them eventually are euthanized. Although reducing pet overpopulation is a major objective, many serious health risks can also be minimized or prevented with spaying and neutering, especially if done at an early age.
Spaying and neutering your pets provides long-term health benefits. Spaying reduces the incidence of breast cancer and eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancers or uterine infections. If spayed before the first heat cycle, your pet has a less than 1 percent chance of developing breast cancer. Neutering eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. It also reduces the risk of perianal tumors. Contrary to popular belief, spaying or neutering your pet does not cause it to gain weight or become lazy. If your pet shows signs of gaining weight, reduce calories and increase activity.
Early neutering can help control or eliminate certain behaviors such as territoriality and aggression, spraying, marking and the desire to roam or run away. Females in heat can cry incessantly, act nervous and attract males from all around making conditions in the home environment fairly uncomfortable for everyone.
As spaying/neutering is a one-time cost, you will save a considerable amount of time and money involved in raising unwanted litters, and even worse, medical bills for diseases and infections relating to non-sterilization. Another misconception is that spaying or neutering alters your pet's personality. The usual result of the procedure is that a pet is less aggressive, more relaxed and more affectionate.
Pay a visit to local animal shelters to see why there is such an emphasis on spaying and neutering. Sterilization is a compassionate solution to pet overpopulation and will help eliminate euthanasia of unwanted animals. It also packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.
Spays and neuters also have a direct impact on the incidence of dog bites in a community. The majority of dog bites (60 percent to 80 percent) is caused by intact male dogs. Pregnant or nursing females are more likely to bite as well. Spaying and neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by hormones.
By improving your pet's health, spaying or neutering can also increase his or her lifespan. Just as important, sterilization is the first step toward preventing homeless pets. Talk to your veterinarian today about spaying or neutering your pet. It is one of the best gifts you can give your pet, your family and your community.
Midland pet owners who meet the city's requirements can receive a voucher worth $70 toward having their pet spayed or neutered. For more information, call Midland Animal Services at 685-7420.
Jennifer Johnson is a veterinarian at Greenbelt Veterinary Hospital.