Spaying and Neutering
If you recently brought home a new puppy or kitten, congratulations on the new addition to your family! We know this is an exciting time for you, and we want to help keep it that way. There are many things you’re probably already thinking about to keep your four-legged friend healthy. Spaying/neutering should definitely be one of them. Having your pet spayed/neutered is a great way to keep them healthy because these procedures could actually prevent certain diseases from ever developing. That’s why we strongly recommend these surgeries for all of our young patients. Consider the following list of FAQs to learn more:
​
What Are the Benefits of Spaying/Neutering?
Neutering
-
Reduces risk of developing testicular cancer and prostate problems
-
Eliminates or reduces marking and spraying
-
Reduces likeliness of roaming and aggressive behavior
-
Reduces pet overpopulation/number of unwanted pets
-
Increases your pet’s lifespan by 1-3 years for dogs and 3-5 years for cats
Spaying
-
Reduces risk of mammary gland tumors and uterine cancer
-
Eliminates heat cycles and associated undesirable behaviors
-
Reduces desire to roam
-
Increases your pet’s lifespan by 1-3 years for dogs and 3-5 years for cats
-
Reduces pet overpopulation/number of unwanted pets
​
Is Spaying/Neutering Safe?
​
Yes, spaying/neutering is just as safe as any other surgery we perform. As an AAHA-accredited practice, Michigan City Animal follows strict surgical guidelines, including anesthesia protocols. We also require pre-anesthetic laboratory testing to help ensure the safety of our patients before, during surgery, and we use only the most up-to-date surgical and anesthesia equipment. Lastly, our registered technicians will be on hand to monitor your pet before, during, and after surgery.
​
At What Age Should I Have My Pet Spayed/Neutered?
Four to six months is what we typically recommend for spaying/neutering small dog breeds and cats. For larger breeds we typically delay to about a year for growth and development. The exact age recommendation varies for each breed, which we can discuss further with you at your pet’s first visit to our animal hospital.
​