Spay & Neuter Questions Answered by Los Angeles Veterinarian
Besides a humane and responsible service to your neighborhood and community, to spay or neuter is the greatest gifts of health you can give to your pet. Hancock Park Veterinary Clinic, your Los Angeles veterinarian, tells why.
Why Are Spay and Neuter Procedures So Important?
The resulting health benefits of spaying and neutering for your pet are enormous, and even more important, and from a greater good perspective, you will be playing your part to curb the heartbreaking and growing numbers of unwanted animals crowding shelters and wandering homeless through the streets. Unless you have a show-quality pet you plan to breed, all owners should do the right thing: spay or neuter their pet.
What Are the Benefits of Spaying my Pet?
Female cats and dogs who are spayed are protected from a number of health issues and owners saved a lot of associated costs and hassles. Health-wise, the incidences of breast tumors and uterine infections are significantly reduced and the risk of developing of developing ovarian cancer is completely eliminated. Spayed females no longer have messy heats and the annoying and sometimes dangerous behaviors, such as wandering to find a willing male, also stop.
What Are the Benefits of Neutering My Pet?
The number one benefit for males is that after a neuter, it’s impossible for them to develop testicular cancer and second, the rate of future prostate problems is significantly reduced. You will see less or no desire for wandering to find that female in heat, and other nasty behaviors such as spraying, marking, aggression and fighting will be markedly less.
What Happens During Spay or Neuter Surgery?
Both the spay and neuter require surgery. The day before your pet’s appointment, we advise no food after midnight. You will bring him or her in early and our Los Angeles veterinarian will perform a pre-surgical exam. During the spay, the vet removes the female’s entire reproductive tract and for the neuter, the testicles are removed. Both procedures take place in our stellar surgical suite equipped with the latest technology to ensure your pet’s safety during surgery.
What About Recovery from the Spay or Neuter?
Your pet will be moved to a calm, quiet area where he or she can recover from the effects of anesthesia and become steady on his or her feet. Most pets can go home the same day. We will give you detailed post-operative care instructions and any medications your pet may need.
When Should My Pet Be Spayed or Neutered?
According to our Los Angeles veterinarian, most puppies and kittens should be spayed or neutered between 6 and 9 months of age.
Are There Any Risks to Spaying or Neutering?
The spay and neuter surgeries are generally very safe, but sometimes there are risk factors including older pets, overweight pets, puppies that have their first heat and pets that have unknown underlying health problems.
Do the right thing for your pet and call us to make that important appointment for a spay or neuter.