Why spay neuter dog

Surgical sterilization During surgical sterilization, a veterinarian removes certain reproductive organs. Surgical alternatives to traditional spaying and neutering The procedures described above are the surgical procedures routinely used to spay or neuter dogs, but some pet owners opt for one of these alternatives:.

Nonsurgical sterilization There is an approved product on the market used to neuter male cats and dogs that is injected into the testes to stop sperm production and render the dog or cat infertile. Because not all of the hormone-producing cells of the testes are affected by the drug, the testis will continue to produce some hormones.

As research continues, additional products for nonsurgical sterilization may be developed. Every year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are euthanized. The good news is that responsible pet owners can make a difference. By having your dog or cat sterilized, you will do your part to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens.

Spaying and neutering prevent unwanted litters, help protect against some serious health problems, and may reduce many of the behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct. Removing the testes from male dogs and cats reduces the breeding instinct, making them less inclined to roam and more content to stay at home. Early spaying of female dogs and cats can help protect them from some serious health problems later in life such as uterine infections and breast cancer.

Neutering your male pet can also lessen its risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia enlarged prostate gland and testicular cancer. Some pets tend to be better behaved following surgical removal of their ovaries or testes, making them more desirable companions. Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits and risks of the sterilization procedure so you can make an informed decision. While both spaying and neutering are major surgical procedures, they are also the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians on cats and dogs.

Like any surgical procedure, sterilization is associated with some anesthetic and surgical risk, but the overall incidence of complications is very low. General anesthesia is administered to perform the surgery and medications are given to minimize pain. You will be asked to keep your pet calm and quiet for a few days after surgery as the incision begins to heal. Consider these facts:. Why spay or neuter your pet? Post-op care. Advocacy alerts Legislative priorities Position Statements.

It improves its health and wellness. Spayed or neutered pets are less prone to diseases including breast cancer in females and testicular cancer or prostate enlargement in males.

Neutered dogs may actually be more protective, as they no longer are distracted by the temptations of breeding with females or fighting with other males. There are a number of potentially fatal health conditions and transmissible diseases that animals can contract or develop as a result of being intact and breeding; for example, pyometra, TVT, and reproductive cancers.

These risks are eliminated when the animal is spayed or neutered. On the whole, animals who have been sterilized at an early age tend to live longer, healthier lives, potentially increasing their lifespans by an average of one to three years for dogs, and three to five years for cats. By spaying or neutering your pet, you save the cost of caring for future litters and reduce the likelihood of your pet needing veterinary treatment for injuries occurring when roaming or fighting.

Fact: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Applying human emotions to animals is neither realistic nor applicable when it comes to identifying a need for sterilization. Fact: Pets do not have any concept of sexual identity or ego. He does not suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.