Taking advantage of spay and neuter services at Riverside Pet Care has several important health benefits for your dog or cat. Sterilizing dogs and cats is a routine surgery that we do for pet owners here in Saratoga Springs.
Health Benefits of Spay and Neuter Surgery
Spaying a female dog or cat stops them from going into their heat cycle, and from pregnancy. Those rapid hormone swings are eliminated by spaying. Uterine infections and cancer in the ovaries and uterus can be eliminated by the procedure. Spayed dogs and cats are also less likely to develop breast cancer. Many female pets experience separation anxiety when their owners are away; the spay procedure helps to keep the anxiety under control.
Neutering a male dog or cat eliminates the tendency to roam and aggressive behaviors. It lowers the risk of an animal developing prostate infections and eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer. Male dogs and cats that have been neutered are also less likely to develop ailments related to hormone issues.
How Spay and Neuter Surgeries Are Performed
Owners typically drop their pet off in the morning for spay and neuter procedures. We will then contact you when the surgery has been completed and your pet is ready to go home with you (usually the same day as the surgery).
Our veterinarian staff will conduct a preliminary exam of your pet prior to the surgery, which will involve bloodwork. This is to confirm that your pet is healthy and will not have a negative reaction to the anesthetic. Dogs and cats have to be rendered unconscious with anesthetic in order to perform spay and neuter procedures.
For the spay procedure, the veterinarian makes a small incision on the animal’s belly and removes the female’s ovaries, or both the ovaries and the uterus.
For the neuter procedure, a small incision is made on the scrotum, and the animal’s testicles are removed.
Caring for Your Pet after the Procedure
Your pet is likely to be lethargic for a few hours after getting home. This is normal after a spay or neuter procedure. The incision site is likely to be sore as well. We will provide you with an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) for your pet to wear for a few days, to prevent them from licking or biting at the surgical site. You will also need to watch for signs of infection or bleeding, and call us immediately if your pet experiences any negative side effects after surgery. Spay and neuter procedures have been used for many years in pets, and they are a safe and effective treatment.
Contact Us for Spay and Neuter Services
If you have a pet and would to know more about spay and neuter procedures, or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us at our Saratoga Springs office.
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