Spay and Neuter

Owning pets takes a great deal of care and responsibility, which starts with managing their ability to reproduce. So many animals, especially dogs and cats, are free to breed, and there are simply not enough resources to care for all of the young that are born. This creates a global problem of unwanted pets that have to be put down, a number which is in the millions in the United States alone. Doing our part as pet owners helps to prevent sad lives for unwanted cats and dogs.

Why should I consider spaying or neutering my dog or cat?

Veterinarians will always suggest spaying or neutering your pet, not only for the health benefits but also to prevent or resolve behavioral issues. Through the removal of hormone producing reproductive organs, a large number of medical conditions can be prevented. There is also the benefit of lowered aggression in animals, which is often caused by reproductive hormones.

The ability of your pet to feel happy and at ease as a part of your family is greatly enhanced by having them spayed or neutered. They are also more likely to lead a healthier life, with less stress for both the pet and the owners. Laws enacted in Whittier make neutering and spaying cats and dogs mandatory with a few exceptions. Most cats and dogs are mandatorily spayed and neutered a few months after they are born. Exemptions include competitive animals or those for show, some working dogs, and some animals of licensed breeders.

What do the procedures involve?

The procedures are simple and safe, especially in the case of neutering. Our surgical staff are incredibly experienced in these basic procedures. Neutering is very simple, as the testicles are outside of the body. This procedure involves a small incision to remove the testicles from the scrotum, which itself is left intact after surgery.

Spaying is slightly more complicated as it involves an incision in the abdomen to remove all of the functioning parts of the female reproductive system. This includes the uterus and ovaries. This procedure can take the longest out of the two.

How do I prepare my pet prior to surgery?

If your pet shows any sign of illness, such as diarrhea, the surgery will be rescheduled so that they are in better health prior to surgery.
Pets should not be allowed to eat anything the evening prior to the surgery, although drinking water is acceptable.
If your cat or dog usually goes outside at night or if they have their own door, ensure that it is blocked and that they remain inside the night prior to their surgery.

The plus side of having your Pet Spayed or Neutered

There are so many advantages to having your pet spayed or neutered, not only do they lead healthier and happier lives, but they also can experience much of the following:

Reduced ability to develop breast cancer in female pets
Eliminated chance of infections in the uterus in female pets
Eliminates the chance of an unexpected pregnancy and the expense of caring for their offspring
Male pets are less likely to experience complications or cancer involving the testicles or prostate
Pets will be more manageable, and dogs especially will respond better to training when they are without the desire or impulse to reproduce
The reduction of the urge to mate will also decrease the chances of your pet becoming lost or experiencing an injury as they will not have the impulse to search for potential mates
Sexually mounting of other animals or Aggression related to reproductive hormones will be greatly reduced
The urge to mount other things, animals, and/or people will be greatly reduced
Reduced urge to spray or mark their territory, especially in cats

Are there any signs to be alert for after having my pet spayed or neutered?

Normal signs after surgery include fatigue or seeming groggy, these effects from surgery may last a few days.

Signs that are things are non-optimal or that healing is not going as it should include:

Your cat or dog remaining in a motionless or extremely fatigued state for longer than two days
Any bleeding from the incision site
Excessive swelling or redness at the incision site or around the stitches
Pets chewing on the incision site or pulling at their stitches
Any trouble or inability to defecate or urinate

Does sterilization alter an animal’s personality?

Personality is not changed after spaying or neutering. Personalities are innate, and all that sterilization will do is to help your pet be calmer and more stable. Pets all have their own lovable quirks that are part of who they are, but traits that are triggered by reproductive hormones will be diminished. Pets who have been spayed or neutered are typically more manageable, happier, and easier to have in social situations.

Why don’t you only need to spay female pets?

There has been an idea around that you only need to sterilize female pets, and this is false. Males are just as responsible if not more so, as they can produce hundreds of offspring in a lifetime. Male pets that have not been neutered are also more aggressive and tend to go out looking for mates and get into altercations with other males that could leave them wounded and in need of medical attention. Un-neutered males tend to be less relaxed and will spray or urinate in areas they feel is their territory.

Contact Us

Our Affordable Animal Hospital in Whittier is here to help pets in the Whittier community to stay happy and healthy with pricing that works for pet owners. We feel that we all have the ability to help reduce the number of pets that live on the streets and that get euthanized on a yearly basis. Contact us for more information on spaying or neutering your pet.

Contact Us

Affordable Animal Hospital Whittier

7247 Painter Ave.
Whittier, Ca 90602

Tel:
(562) 444-5611

Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm
Sat: 9am-5pm

Spay and Neuter

Why should I consider spaying or neutering my dog or cat?

What do the procedures involve?

How do I prepare my pet prior to surgery?

The plus side of having your Pet Spayed or Neutered

Are there any signs to be alert for after having my pet spayed or neutered?

Signs that are things are non-optimal or that healing is not going as it should include:

Does sterilization alter an animal’s personality?

Why don’t you only need to spay female pets?

Contact Us

Contact Us

Affordable Animal Hospital Whittier

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