"dogs and cats can be spayed or neutered at 5 to 6 months of age."
Dr. Kenzie
Newmarket Veterinarian
Dog, Cat & Rabbit Spaying & Neutering 101
Q. What do Spay and Neuter Really Mean?
In general, "neutering" is the common term used to refer to the
surgical sterilization of pets so that they are not capable of producing offspring.
In particular, the term "spaying" refers to the surgical removal of the female reproductive tract (ovaries and uterus). In other words, spaying is an ovariohysterectomy for female pets.
The term "castration" or "neutering" is used to refer to the removal of the testicles of male pets.
Q. Why Even Spay or Neuter Your Cat, Dog or Rabbit?
There are numerous long-term health benefits and behavioral benefits to spaying and neutering your dog, cat or rabbit.
The Key Reasons for Spaying Your Dog or Cat Are:
- To prevent unwanted litters. There are simply too many pets without homes as it is.
- To greatly reduce the chance of mammary gland cancer.
- To eliminate the chance of a life-threatening uterine infection (pyometra)
- To eliminate the chance of ovarian and uterine cancers.
- To eliminate the annoying behaviors associated with heat cycles. Cats that are not neutered have frequent heat cycles characterized by loud vocalization (often at night). Female dogs that are not spayed have messy heat cycles – and often need to wear "seasonal pads" to prevent blood staining in the home.
The Key Reasons for Neutering / Castrating Your Dog or Cat Are:
- To reduce roaming behavior. Intact males have a strong urge to roam away from the house to seek out potential mates. Roaming pets are at great risk for being hit by cars.
- To reduce certain types of aggression. Intact male cats and dogs are generally more aggressive with other males of the same species. Fights can result in serious bite wounds or the transmission of diseases.
- To reduce urine marking behavior. Intact dogs and cats have a tendency to mark their territory – even inside the house. The urine of intact male cats is very foul-smelling.
- To reduce the chance of prostate infections and testicular cancers (dogs)
The Key Reasons for Spaying or Neutering Your Rabbit:
- To prevent unwanted pregnancies. There are too many neglected or abandoned bunnies in the world already.
- To prevent uterine and ovarian cancer. It has been estimated that 80% of bunnies over the age of 2 years will develop reproductive tract cancer.
- To prevent aggressive behavior of both male and female bunnies.
- To reduce or prevent urine marking. Rabbits of both sexes will mark their territories with urine. The urine of male rabbits is particularly foul-smelling.
North Yonge Veterinary Hospital in Newmarket and its veterinarians recommend that dogs and cats be spayed or neutered at 5 to 6 months of age; Male rabbits be neutered at around 4 months of age, while female rabbits be spayed at about 5 months of age.
Q. Are Spaying and Neutering Surgeries Painful?
Spaying and neutering are major surgical operations. At North Yonge Veterinary Hospital, your pet’s comfort is of foremost importance to us. We provide all surgical patients with pre-emptive analgesia (pain medication that is given in advance of any potentially painful procedures), as well as post-operative analgesia (pain medication that is given after the procedure). We include the best analgesics available in all of our surgeries. In addition, all of our surgical patients will go home with at least 5 days of pain medication.
Current Vaccinations:
To ensure the health of your pet and of other patients in our hospital, North Yonge Veterinary Hospital in Newmarket and it’s veterinarians require that all surgical patients are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Please feel free to speak to our staff regarding vaccination requirements for puppies and kittens.
Pre-Anesthetic Blood Testing:
North Yonge’s Veterinarians in Newmarket recommend that all surgical patients undergo blood testing prior to general anesthesia. Pre-anesthetic blood testing involves the collection of a small blood sample from your pet for laboratory testing. The blood sample gives us a snapshot of how your pet’s liver, kidneys, and other organs are functioning. In addition, it allows us to screen for infection, inflammation, anemia, or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). While your pet may appear perfectly healthy, remember that animals are adept at hiding signs of illness. It is always good to know that your pet has a clean bill of health prior to general anesthesia.
Convenient Scheduling:
Please Contact North Yonge Veterinary Hospital in Newmarket to obtain additional details and meet with one of our Veterinarians today.