Spay and Neuter Surgery

We recommend that all puppies and kittens get spayed (removal of uterus and ovaries in the female) or neutered (removal of the testes in the male) between 4 and 6 months of age.

Spaying and neutering helps to decrease the pet population and helps to make sure that your pet is healthier during their lifetime. Spaying and neutering helps protect your pet against some forms of cancer and decreases the risk of other forms of cancer.

Spaying and neutering does not cause obesity. Over feeding and inactivity cause obesity.  Spaying and neutering does not change your pet’s personality, however it will decrease the occurrence of hormonal “negative” behaviors such as marking, dominance, and roaming behaviors.

It is never best to allow your pet to go through one or two “cycles” or have a litter before spaying or neutering.  This increases your pet’s risk for cancers such as mammary or prostate cancer and increases the risk that your pet may have a complication during a spay or neuter surgery.  Due to these increased risks, may veterinary offices will charge higher prices for surgeries on larger, more developed animals because the surgeries are riskier and take longer to perform.  Not only that, but not spaying or neutering your pet increases the chance for an accidental breeding, which adds to the pet population and causes more animals to be unnecessarily euthanized due to overpopulation.

Spaying and neutering are part of responsible pet ownership.  If you are experiencing a situation where you need financial assistance in getting this service done or if you have any questions regarding spay or neuter surgery, please call SouthPaw Animal Clinic.