Neutering

The population explosion in unwanted pets is fast becoming a huge national problem in the United States and other parts of the world. Millions of stray cats and dogs have to be unreasonably destroyed every year, costing millions of dollars of taxpayer's money, to protect communities from life-detrimental problems these unwanted animals. Moreover, animals that land in shelters barely have the chance to find a home and are exposed to abuse, trauma, and disease.

You, as pet owner, can do your part in preventing further population growth, and ensuring the health and quality of life of your pet by sterilization. It is by far the best method to control population explosion in animals that can be achieved, as of this time, only through surgical means. Having your pet sterilized will prevent incidences of unwanted pregnancies and birth of puppies and kittens.

Contrary to common belief, a single event of pet pregnancy does not improve its behavior. Instead, you female pet may elicit further undesirable behaviors once she undergoes another "heat" cycle. Your pet's mating instinct can cause stress to both you and your pet.

Pet Surgical Altering

The professional who can perform surgical altering is your veterinarian. The veterinarian will remove your pet's reproductive organs. For female pets, the ovary, fallopian tube, and uterus are removed – the medical term for this procedure is ovariohysterectomy, or "spaying" as it is commonly called. For male pets, veterinarians remove the testicles, which is called orchiectomy, and is also referred to as "neutering" or castration.

Spaying and neutering are both major surgical procedures but are commonly performed by veterinarians on dogs and cats. Before the operation begins, your pet will undergo a thorough physical examination to make sure it is in good health.

Then, the veterinarian administers general anesthesia at the beginning of the surgery to make it painless and as comfortable to your pet. After the operation, you will need to keep your pet relaxed and quiet for several days until the onset of healing.

Benefits Of Neutering/Spaying To Your Pets

Neutering/Spaying will benefit your pet in many ways. For instance, it eliminates the mating instinct in dogs. The mating instinct of female dogs happens every six months for dogs depending on the breed and more frequently in cats (every 2-3 weeks depending on the months). During the cycle, your dog may become irritable, anxious, and will experience spotting leaving blood stains on furniture and other parts of the house.

The same effect ensues among male dogs and cats. At around 6-9 months, your male pet is already capable of breeding – which will cause incontinence and spraying of strong-smelling urine all over and outside the house to mark his territory. He may also be in an irritable mood and have bouts of fights with other animals.

When you spay and neuter your pet, you not only give them a better quality of life but it likewise improves you and your pets' bonding as they are most likely to stay in the house with the family. It also reduces their risk of contracting diseases that may be acquired from other pets in the neighborhood.

Neutering/spaying are effective animal control procedures that are practiced in different parts of the world. There is a great need to set up spay neuter assistance program in order to help communities with their animal control policies. Neutering/spaying are currently the best methods to control animal population growth but even these are unable to catch up with the population explosion.

Scientists are continuously researching on methods that can be mass-produced such as animal birth control pills and other chemicals that promote sterilization, and hopefully these will be commercially available soon. Neutering/spaying is an one-time investment for a lifetime. Don't deprive your pets of a better quality of life.