Having your dog neutered or spayed offers many health and behavioral benefits. Here, our Farmington Hills vets share some information about spaying or neutering and how it can benefit your pooch.
What is spaying?
When your female dog is spayed, the dog's reproductive organs are removed so your pooch will be unable to have puppies.
What is neutering?
When a male dog neutered, your dog's testicles are surgically removed. This procedure keeps your dog from being able to father puppies.
What are the benefits of spaying or neutering my dog?
Having your dog spayed or neutered has many health benefits depending on the procedure. Cost is also a factor in many pet owners' decisions:
Spaying
If this procedure is performed while your female dog is young, this will prevent your pup from going into heat. Scheduling this common procedure for your dog before her first heat can help her live a long, healthy life free from serious health issues such as uterine infections or breast tumors.
Female dogs who are not spayed typically go into heat every 6 months for about 3 to 4 weeks. During this period, she will excrete a bloody vaginal discharge. She may seem clingy, jumpy or edgy.
Neutering
By neutering your dog early in their life, you can help prevent issues such as prostate problems and testicular cancer. Neutered dogs are less likely to roam or try to escape from home to search for fertile female dogs. By reducing roaming, you help to protect your dog from injuries due to traffic accidents, fights with other males and other incidents.
When male dogs are not neutered, they are more likely to display undesirable behaviors such as mounting other dogs or people, being aggressive to other dogs and spraying urine in the house in a bid to mark their territory.
Cost
Long term, having your puppy spayed or neutered could help you save money by avoiding costs related to treatment of illnesses that could have been prevented by fixing your dog, litters of puppies and treatment of injuries as a result of fighting or roaming.
Less Pet Overpopulation
The importance of reducing the number of unwanted puppies cannot be overstated. Shelters across the USA are filled with homeless and unwanted dogs. If all pet owners spayed and neutered their dogs, there would be fewer dogs replying on shelters. Fewer unwanted puppies will help to reduce the number of animals living on the streets, and fewer euthanizations.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.