Spay and neuter are common surgeries performed at our animal clinic in Hoquiam. Spaying and neutering dogs and cats can help to control the unwanted animal population in Grays Harbor County and offer a number of health benefits to cats and dogs.
What is spaying and neutering?
Both spaying and neutering refer to the surgical sterilization of an animal under general anesthesia.
Spaying is the surgical sterilization of female animals. Technically known as an ovariohysterectomy, spaying removes a female's reproductive organs.
Neutering, or orchiectomy, removes the testicles from male pets and is considered a simpler surgery than a spay. The term 'neutering' can also, in some cases, refer to the desexing or 'fixing' of either gender.
Benefits For Cats
6 key benefits of spaying or neutering your cat are:
- It curbs naughty behaviors, like spraying to mark territory.
- Neutered cats are less likely to stray from home.
- Your cat may become more affectionate.
- It reduces the risk of your cat contracting certain diseases.
- It decreases the risk of uterine infection in female cats.
- It may decrease the risk of mammary (breast) cancer.
Benefits For Dogs
6 key benefits of spaying or neutering your dog are:
- It reduces the risk of prostate and other cancers.
- It reduces marking and spraying issues.
- It stabilizes the mood of the dog.
- It reduces the mating urge.
- It can reduce sexualized behaviors.
- It may prevent your pet from roaming.
Spay and Neuter FAQs
- Why should I get my cat spayed or neutered?
Population Control
According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), it is estimated that around 3.2 million lost or unwanted cats enter US animal shelters each year.
By far the best way for you to help reduce the number of unwanted cats in shelters in Hoquiam and across the Grays Harbor County area is by spaying or neutering your feline friend.
Protect Wildlife
It is estimated that cats in the USA kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds every year. By helping to keep the numbers of homeless cats to a minimum, you help to save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife.
The Benefits of Cat Neutering
Neutering your male cat can help to curb many undesirable cat behaviors such as spraying indoors and around your house to mark territory, roaming, howling, and fighting with other undoctored male cats. Reducing your cat's temptation to fight may also reduce their risk of injury, and of contracting Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
The Benefits of Cat Spaying
Spaying your female cat before her first heat cycle can help to reduce your cat's risk of developing pyometra (infection of the womb) and mammary tumors. It's also important to note that female cats carrying infectious diseases can pass serious conditions on to their kittens, who may then go on to spread the disease even further. The pregnancy and the birth process can be risky for young cats, and costly to their owners.
- Why should I get my dog spayed or neutered?
Population Control
According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year across the USA.
Spaying or neutering your dog is the best way for you to help reduce the overall number of unplanned puppies each year while improving your pet's behavior and reducing their risk of some serious health conditions.
The Benefits of Dog Spaying
Female dog spaying can help to prevent serious health problems such as pyometra, (a potentially life-threatening uterine infection), and mammary cancer.
The Benefits of Dog Neutering
Male dog neutering helps to prevent your pet from developing testicular cancer and can also help reduce unwanted behaviors such as dog aggression, straying and humping.
- At what age should I have my pet spayed?
Pet owners should consult with their veterinarian to determine the best age to spay or neuter their cat or dog. Some research indicates there may be long-term health benefits to spaying or neutering dogs after they have passed through puberty.
Many vets recommend that female animals be spayed before their first heat, which can occur as early as 5 months of age. However, there is increasing evidence that this is too young as the animals have not been allowed to fully develop and grow.
- What should I know about the recovery process for my pet?
Spaying
After spay surgery, some clinics will want to keep your cat or dog overnight, while others will let her go home on the same day. Generally speaking, 7-10 days of restricted activity are all that is required following surgery.
Neutering
If there are no complications or other health issues, your dog or cat can usually go home on the same day of the procedure, with activity restricted for a few days while the incision heals.
For both procedures, we may send your pet home with a protective collar to keep it from licking the incision.
We typically book a follow-up visit to check on how well your pet has healed and to remove the stitches.
- Will my pet feel anything during the procedure?
No, your pet will be under general anesthesia, and will not feel anything during the procedure.
- Will my pet gain weight after the procedure?
Your puppy or kitten will continue to grow to their full adult weight after the spay or neuter procedure, and this naturally includes some weight gain.
However, your pet will not gain weight as a result of being spayed or neutered.
- Is this service part of your Pet Wellness Plans?
Spay/neuter services are not included in Wellness Plans because they are one-time procedures.
However, if your pet is on a Wellness Plan, you qualify for 10% off the spay/neuter procedure.