Why Spay or Neuter?

What is the Difference Between

Spaying and Neutering?

Spaying is the common term for surgically altering female dogs and cats. The medical term is ovariohysterectomy. This term indicates that the ovaries and uterus are removed. Neutering is the common term used for surgically altering male cats and dogs. The medical term is orchidectomy signifying that the testicles are surgically removed. Spaying involves entering the pet’s abdomen. It is a more involved surgery than neutering. As long as both testicles are descended in males, the surgery is relatively simple. Retained testicles often required abdominal surgery and post-operative care is similar to that for a spay in these cases.

Spay & neuter surgery benefits pets, people and communities

There are health, behavioral and social reasons for spaying and neutering. Everyone benefits: the pets, their owners and the community. Pets that have been surgically altered are far less susceptible to mammary (breast) cancer and prostate disease. Since the testicles are removed, the risk of testicular cancer is completely eliminated. Since the uterus is removed, the risk of uterine cancer and infections (pyometra) are also eliminated.

Older pets are often brought to spay and neuter clinics because of problems such as prostate disease and uterine infections. Altering is part of the treatment for these ailments but the surgery is more taxing on an older pet with existing health problems than on a young healthy pet. When dealing with the all too frequent problem of pyometra (uterine infection), the pet is often debilitated by the time of surgery, the surgery is an emergency and the pet’s poor health status can result in anesthetic death. Other veterinary hospitals charge in excess of $1200 for this type of surgery on dogs. Our clinic handles these pets for $400-800.

Owner’s benefit tremendously from having a pet altered. After surgery, there is a decreased tendency towards spraying, wandering and sexually-driven aggressive behavior. There are no more heat cycles so female dogs no longer bleed in the house and males are no longer attracted in droves to the doorstep. Fighting and yowling subsides. Urine odors are much less noxious in altered male cats. This, combined with a decreased tendency to spray, can aid with odor elimination in the house.

Spaying and neutering family pets is one of the best ways individuals can help eliminate the serious problem of euthanasia at animal shelters. Fewer pregnancies translate to fewer animals entering overcrowded shelters and fewer deaths due to space constraints. Help us help the community by posting this flyer.

Click Here for Potential Complications of Spay/Neuter Surgery