Paws-itive Press
SPAYING AND NEUTERING YOUR PETS
By Mark Planco of Planco Veterinary Care
Sterilizing our pets is an important responsibility we have when owning a dog or cat. There are several important reasons to have our dogs and cats spayed or neutered. Spaying a pet is the term used for females when their ovaries and uterus are removed surgically. These helps to prevent overpopulation, make them more manageable and behave in a more consistent manner, and prevents potential medical problems later in life. The ideal time to spay a dog or cat is four to six months old. This is before they go into heat for the first time. This prevents mammary cancer at any time of their life. Dogs go into heat approximately every six months with their first heat starting after 6 months old. Cats are induced ovulators. If a cat is not bred, they will remain in heat for approximately 25 days of each month until they are bred or spayed. An intact dog or cat runs the risk of unwanted pregnancies or other medical problems as they age. As dogs and cats get older, their hormones will change and their risk of getting infections inside their uterus increases. This is a life-threatening condition and requires an emergency surgery instead of a routine, elective procedure.
Neutering a pet is when a male is castrated. When a dog or cat is neutered both testicles are removed. This eliminates testosterone from their body and not only treats or prevents behavioral issues but also treats or prevents prostate disease. There are four problems that occur to the prostate (all caused by testosterone). They are Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH), cysts, abscesses and cancer. BPH, cysts and abscesses can be treated by neutering your dog. All are prevented by early castration. These conditions are rare in cats. Behavioral issues can be aggression or continually trying to get outside to find in heat females. This leads to many possible problems from fights with other intact animals with the same agenda and cars, the leading cause of death of outside dogs and cats.
Having intact animals to breed in a controlled environment and management plan is completely acceptable to meet the need and demand of people who want purebred dogs and cats. Some people enjoy showing dogs or want a certain breed as their pet. As long as this is done responsibly excellent pets can be produced.
If you have any questions regarding spaying or neutering your dog or cat please call 795-9507.
Dr. Mark Planco’s compassion for animals has been a lifelong labor of love. He earned both his undergraduate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at the University of Florida. Dr. Planco has treated small and large animals since 1991, and has been in Palm Beach County since 1994. Dr. Planco is a member of the Palm Beach Veterinary Society, American Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association. Visit PlancoVetCare.com for further information or call 561-795-9507.
Disclaimer: This column is not intended to provide information on which you should use to diagnose or treat a medical condition or delay seeking medical attention. This column is of no value with respect to any medical condition that needs prompt attention. If you have a question that needs an immediate answer, you should call your own veterinarian or emergency animal hospital, especially if you are confronting a medical emergency!
Furthermore, we urge you to always seek the advice of your own veterinarian, and you should not disregard, discount, or delay seeking the advice of your veterinarian because of any response posted in this column.