Like people, every pet is unique. The specific care requirements for Fido and Fluffy are dependent on their age, breed, size, and overall health. While our opinions on matters like exercise and nutrition may differ, spay/neuter surgery is something we strongly advise for all dogs and cats. In this article, a Rapid City, SD veterinarian discusses a few of the reasons why you should consider having your pet spayed or neutered.
Taking Care of Your Pet Can Help Reduce Pet Overpopulation
Reducing the amount of unwanted litters in the world is the main motivation for having pets fixed. Pet overpopulation is a major problem that, regrettably, frequently contributes to incidents of animal hoarding, abuse, and neglect. Millions of cats and dogs are put to sleep each year. Millions more are left on their own. Dogs and cats that are homeless have extremely difficult lives; they have to deal with illness, injuries, and parasites in addition to hunger and bad weather.
Puppies and kittens are, of course, adorable. Even if you are successful in finding homes for your pet’s babies, there is no guarantee that their own litters or any subsequent offspring will fare well. Sterilizing your pet is simply the more responsible thing to do, considering how many homeless creatures are already out there on their own.
Don’t think that your pet won’t have a significant impact. In just nine years, a single couple of cats can have 2,072,514 descendants! Fido isn’t far behind either: in just six years, a pair of pups can produce up to 67,000 descendants, with an average litter size of six to ten puppies.
Fixed Pets Tend to be Healthier
Spaying and neutering also provide medicinal benefits. The surgery will significantly lower your pet’s risk of acquiring prostate, mammary, ovarian, and uterine cancers, as well as almost completely eliminating the possibility of genital cancers. Urinary tract infections are also less common in fixed pets. Preventing these problems is far simpler and less expensive than treating them. For more detailed information on this, ask your Rapid City, SD veterinarian.
After Fixing, Pets Are Less Likely to Roam
Allowing your pet to roam outside your property increases the likelihood that it will become lost, get hurt, or possibly die. Numerous hazards, such as vehicles, bad weather, wildlife, toxins, parasites, illness, and so on, might pose a threat to your dogs and cats. By sterilizing your cat, they won’t have the hormonal need to seek out romantic relationships and, by fixing Fido, you won’t have to worry about him trying to burrow under the fence or bolting every time you open the door. Pets may attempt to flee for a variety of reasons, but one of the main motivations for this activity is the desire to mate.
Sterilized Pets Have Extended Life Expectancies
Did you know that fixed pets typically have longer lifespans? When you consider it, this makes sense. The inherent hazards associated with pregnancy and childbirth are eliminated for females. These dangers can be very serious in dogs: if a larger dog mates with a smaller dog, both the mother’s and the puppies’ lives may be in jeopardy.
Additionally, fixed pets are less likely to get hurt or wounded since they are less prone to go off. It is quite possible for an intact male dog or cat to fight with another unrestrained male if the opportunity arises as males tend to be territorial.
Pets Tend to be Calmer After Sterilization
One last, and very important, reason to get your pet sterilized is that they will be naturally calmer. The effect that the decrease in hormones has may surprise you. Unwanted habits including digging, chewing, and trying to get away might stop. Furthermore, fixed pets tend to be generally more laid back. It’s also not surprising if Fido and Fluffy start being cozier. They’ll be more interested in you if they don’t have the need to find a partner. You are, after all, the center of their universe.
After Being Fixed, They’re Less Likely to Spray
This could be sufficient justification for scheduling the surgery on its own. Pets, particularly males, mark their territory with sprays frequently. After surgery, the impulse to do this is diminished and frequently eliminated. Even though adult animals may continue to spray following surgery, the majority of pets stop doing so.
After Being Fixed, Cats Won’t Yowl As Much
Though it may be a bonus, the significance of this one cannot be overstated. We feel sorry for you if you’ve ever heard a lustful cat screaming a love song. Fluffy likes to make a big deal out of being single by announcing it loudly and in a completely unmusical way. The majority of us are happy to spare ourselves from the yowling and wailing, even though other cats might find the screeches uniquely compelling.
FAQs Regarding Neuter/Spay Procedures
How Much Time Will My Pet Need To Heal After A Spay Or Neuter Procedure?
Pets typically get past the “hump” of recuperation in the first 3 to 5 days. But it takes them 10 to 14 days to heal completely. You should restrict your pet’s physical activity during this period. Until your Rapid City, SD veterinarian gives the all-clear, don’t encourage them to run, jump, or play vigorously.
How Should My Pet Be Cared For Following Surgery?
You will receive instructions for aftercare from your veterinarian. These are frequently pamphlets or one-sheet printouts. Carefully read the instructions and make sure you adhere to every detail. During their recovery, you might need to give your pet pain medication or make some temporary dietary changes.
Apart from that, just make sure your pet has a tidy, comfortable space to unwind in. Now is an excellent time to get them a comfy bed! It might also be necessary to restrict their mobility. For this, you can utilize a kennel, carrier, or crate. Puppy pens could also be pretty useful.
How Can I Assist My Pet in Recovering From Surgery?
The most important thing is to just watch over your pet and give them space to unwind. It is imperative that you ensure they do not bite or scratch at their stitches. An inflatable collar or an Elizabethan collar, also called a lampshade or cone of shame, may be advised by your veterinarian.
Make sure to keep a close eye on the area of incision! Keep an eye out for any indications of problems, like fever, bleeding, pus, swelling, redness, and foul smells. Additional concerns may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, shaking, breathing problems, and lethargy. Your pet may be naturally drowsy and worn out after the first few days, but if other concerns accompany this, you should speak with your Rapid City, SD vet as soon as possible.
What Is the Price of Spay/Neuter Surgery?
Prices will differ depending on where you go. Your pet’s age, size, or health may also be taken into consideration when determining the charges. Still, the cost of this operation is always less than that of paying for medical problems or the expenses of having a litter.
Does your pet need to be spayed or neutered? Reach out to us at Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, today!
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