Spaying and Neutering Your Pets

Over 15 million animals are euthanized every year in the US. Every hour about 2,500 puppies and kittens are born. Even if your dog has papers or is cute and has a great personality, it does not mean you should breed him or her.

Since dogs are in a controlled human environment, we are responsible for ensuring that their population is controlled. Around 5-6 months of age for both cats and dogs is generally a good time to have your pet spayed or neutered. Many females, particularly cats, approach estrus (heat) in the spring. Before spring approaches is a good time to schedule your pet--male or female--for spaying or neutering. For your dog's health, for the health of others, and for the lives of any puppies that may result, please spay or neuter your dog.

♂Males

Neutering a male dog will not change his personality except it might make him a calmer, more manageable pet. Contrary to myth, neutering will not cause him to become fat and/or lazy. For his health neutering generally results in the following:

Reduces the risk of developing infections.
Reduces the risk of testicular cancer.
Reduces the risk of prostate disease and certain types of hernias.
Eliminates annoying sexual habits, such as mounting.
Eliminates roaming in search of females. When running loose, he may fight with other males, be injured by an automobile or get lost. If confined, he may become hyperactive and aggressive.
Reduces the chance of your dog later biting or being aggressive to other dogs or humans. Unaltered males inflict most dog/human bites. This does not mean that your dog will be a less effective watch dog or guard dog. He will simply be less likely to be quarantined or destroyed for biting someone. He will still defend his turf, but he will be less likely to leave in search of a female.
Decreases external and internal parasitic infections picked up during roaming.

♀Females

Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) in a female dog will not change her personality or cause her to become fat and/or lazy. There is no scientific evidence that your female dog will benefit from going through a heat cycle. If she becomes pregnant, pregnancy can have numerous complications, including death and related expenses. Spaying generally results in the following:

Eliminates the messy discharge and odor associated with estrus (heat).
Eliminates unwanted heat cycles and the inconvenience of attracting stray dogs to your property.
Reduces the risk of breast cancer, especially if done within the first year. Almost half of intact females develop tumors.
Eliminates the risk of ovarian or uterine cancer.
Eliminates the risk of uterine infection (pyometria).
Helps control the pet populating by avoiding unwanted pregnancies.

Spaying and Neutering Fees for Dogs and Cats

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Archer Animal Hospital, LLC

16105 SW Archer Road. , Archer, FL 32618-5619
352-495-2910

We're A Proud Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Florida Veterinary Association (FVA), and the Alachua County Veterinary Association (ACVA).

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Updated 01/21/2008 01:31:49 PM