The most common type of surgery that veterinarians perform is the spay and neuter procedure, and it’s one of the best ways to promote the health and wellbeing of your cat or dog. The Sea Oats Animal Hospital of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL is highly experienced at providing this safe and painless surgical procedure.
Why Should You Spay Or Neuter Your Pet?
Your pet will enjoy many health benefits from the spay and neuter procedure, both physical and psychological. They’ll be healthier, happier, and more content. But you’ll also be helping to alleviate the overpopulation of pets in the U.S. by preventing them from reproducing. Each year there are millions of otherwise healthy cats and dogs put to sleep in animal shelters because there are simply too many of them and not enough homes to adopt them. Spay and neuter is the most effective way to help prevent this tragedy.
Medical Benefits Of Spay And Neuter
Your vet will recommend spaying or neutering be performed at about six to nine months of age for puppies and eight weeks for kittens. Adult pets can be spayed at any time. Spaying involves the removal of the reproductive organs of a female, while neutering is the removal of the testicles from the scrotum of males. The benefits of having the procedure performed include:
Males
- Eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer
- Significantly reduces the risk of prostate problems
- Lessens aggressive behavior
- Makes them less likely to roam the neighborhood
- Less likely to mark territory by urinating on furniture and carpets
Females
- Will no longer menstruate or go into the heat cycle
- Eliminates the risk of reproductive organ cancers
- Reduces risk of breast cancer
- Eliminates howling and crying associated with the heat cycle
The Procedure
The evening before the surgery you should not let your pet consume anything but water after 10 pm. Your pet will be sedated with a general anesthetic and fitted with a catheter during the surgery. Afterward, they’ll rest in a recovery room for a couple of hours of observation and then they can go home with you. For the next five to ten days you should make sure they avoid exertion and have a quiet place to rest and heal. Check their incisions daily for signs of infection or swelling. Your pet may have to wear a special collar to keep them from scratching and biting at their incisions.
When you’re ready for spay and neuter services in Ponte Vedra Beach FL, contact the Sea Oats Animal Hospital to schedule an appointment.
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