Getting Fixed

By J.J. MACKENZIE, D.V.M.

WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE YOUR PET SPAYED OR NEUTERED?

 

Spaying (for female pets) and neutering (for male pets) are safe and effective surgeries to prevent overpopulation. Sadly, every year millions of unwanted pets are euthanized in animal care and control centers across the nation. This could be prevented by taking your cat, dog, or rabbit to your local veterinarian or humane society to have it spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted pet pregnancies. Even if your pet is well loved, cared for, and wanted, his or her offspring might end up homeless, contributing to the overpopulation of animals.

 

It’s not just dogs and cats that need to be spayed or neutered. Rabbits reproduce so quickly that their numbers can quickly get out of hand. There are also health and behavior benefits to spaying and neutering. Spayed and neutered rabbits are often calmer and less moody, with less destructive chewing and less undesirable territorial behavior such as spraying and various aggressive behaviors. Spayed female rabbits also enjoy better health and a longer life span than unspayed adult females, due to lower incidences of various forms of cancer.

 

Finally, if you have more than one pet at home, they will get along better if they are all spayed or neutered.

 

How should you care for your pet after spay or neuter surgery?

Follow the specific advice of your veterinarian, as each pet’s needs will be slightly different. The surgery site might be sore, and your pet might be slightly groggy from the anesthetic after surgery. In general, your pet will benefit from a calm, warm, and quiet environment indoors. Be very gentle with your pet, limit active exercise, and keep young children and other pets away from your pet’s stomach and incision site.

 

Some dogs and cats are fitted with an e-collar to prevent them from licking or biting at the incision site.

 

Rabbits need to eat and drink soon after surgery to keep their digestive systems healthy. If your pet doesn’t seem to want to eat, offer small amounts of water and food more frequently. Follow your veterinarian’s advice on when, what, and how much to feed your pet, and when to call if your pet is not eating or if the incision site is not healing.

 

Adopt your next pet from an animal shelter.

There are so many deserving pets at your local animal shelter looking for a loving home. Help prevent euthanasia of unwanted pets by adopting your next pet from a shelter. And then, of course, be a responsible pet owner by having your new friend spayed or neutered.

 

More information on the benefits of spaying and neutering your pet can be found on the American Humane Association’s website at:

www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/caring-for-your-pet/spaying-neutering.html

 

Affordable, low cost, or free neuter spay resources can be found at:

www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter/

 

http://neuterspay.org

 

www.spayusa.org