PET Spay & Neuter
Every year, millions of stray and unwanted animals are euthanized in shelters across the United States. Many of these deaths are the avoidable result of owners failing to spay and neuter their pets.
Spay & Neuter
Even if you keep a close watch on your pet, accidents happen, and unexpected offspring means more animals that won’t be given a chance at full, happy lives.
Spaying and neutering can help end this cycle, and both procedures can have health benefits for pets. By the way, there’s no truth to the myths that altered pets are less intelligent as a result of being sterilized, and females do not need to have a litter or even go into heat before they are spayed.
Spaying
Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is a common surgical procedure performed on female cats and dogs and involves removing the patient’s uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, rendering the animal incapable of reproduction. At Goshen Animal Clinic, our veterinarians offer surgical sterilization services depending on your pet’s breed. We typically recommend spaying or neutering between 6 and 12 months of age. Older pets can still undergo the procedure, they simply take a little longer for the healing process than younger pets.
Benefits
- Prevents unwanted pregnancies
- Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine tumors
- Removes the possibility of uterine infections
What to expect after surgery
Spaying is a major surgery requiring 7-10 days of recovery time. Recovery may also include pain medication, and lethargy is common for the first couple of days following the procedure.
Neutering
Neutering is performed on male cats and dogs. This process castrates the animal, removing their testicles and making them unable to impregnate females.
Benefits
- Placates the animal, reducing aggressive behavior and decreasing dominant tendencies
- Reduces roaming and spraying (territory marking)
- Eliminates the risk of testicular and prostate tumors
What to expect after surgery
Although less invasive than spaying, neutering is still a major medical procedure that requires some recovery time. Recovery may also include pain medication, and lethargy is common for the first couple of days following the procedure. It’s essential that you monitor your pet to prevent the animal from licking or biting the incision to reduce the risk of infection.