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If you’re a first-time pet owner, you may be unfamiliar with the terms spaying and neutering. Although these concepts may sound foreign, they’re widespread practices in the world of veterinary care. Below, discover what these services entail and why they’re important to maintaining the wellness of your cat or dog.

What Is It?

Dogs and cats are spayed or neutered to have their reproductive organs removed. Female canines and felines can be spayed, which encompasses the removal of the uterus and ovaries. Male dogs and cats, on the other hand, are neutered. This process involves the removal of the testicles. Both procedures can be performed by a veterinarian and are considered low-risk. 

Why Do It?

Inhibiting pets’ reproductive abilities helps to control the animal population by preventing unplanned kittens and puppies. These procedures can also have health benefits for the animal, such as reducing the risk of mammary tumors and uterine infections in females, and testicular cancer or prostate diseases in males. In terms of behavioral improvements, spayed and neutered pets are less crazed and not likely to roam in search of a mate. Additionally, spaying and neutering may help to curb behaviors such as mounting or aggression. If you do not spay your female pet, she will go into heat and get her period once a month. This can be a costly situation, as you will need to purchase diapers to control the bleeding. 

What Do the Procedures Entail?

spayingBoth spaying and neutering are performed under general anesthesia to ensure the pet’s utmost level of comfort. To spay a pet, the veterinarian makes a small abdominal incision to remove the uterus and ovaries. In some cases, the procedure may be performed laparoscopically. For neutering, a small incision is made near the scrotum through which the testicles are removed. In most cases, pets can return home the day of the procedure but will need to have restricted activity for a week to ten days following. During a follow-up visit, the vet will verify that the proper healing is taking place and remove the stitches.

 

If you have a new pet in need of spaying or neutering services, turn to the Cat & Dog Hospital of Columbia in Maryland. This team of pet care experts has been serving the community for more than 30 years. Their office provides a broad range of services to keep pets happy and healthy, including spay, neuter, vaccination, and flea treatments. Explore their full list of services by visiting their website or call (410) 995-6880 to schedule an appointment.

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