Spay/Neuter - Northland Veterinary Services

Why Spay?

There are many medical and behavioral benefits in having your female cat or dog spayed:

1. CONVENIENCE TO OWNER

-Eliminates estrous or "heat" periods; no bloody discharge.

-Eliminates the scent that attracts annoying males

-Eliminates the frantic pacing and crying by the female while in heat (cats are especially vocal at that time).

-Reduced dog license fees each year will quickly cover the cost of surgery.

2. BETTER HEALTH FOR YOUR PET

-Eliminates all the problems and potential risks involved in pregnancy and birth

-Eliminates the common problem of cancer of the uterus as the pet gets older.

-Decreases the possibility of mammary tumors.

3. HELPS DECREASE THE OVERPOPULATION PROBLEM

-By not bringing more unwanted puppies and kittens into the world.

-Rids you of the worry of what to do with unplanned litters of puppies and kittens.

4. ELIMINATES SEXUAL FRUSTRATION

-Decreases your pet's desire to roam in search of a mate; decreasing the problems involved with
free-roaming animals (car accidents, poisoning, etc.)

-Lets your pet relax and enjoy being part of the family.

MYTHS

-Spaying will make my pet fat.

NOT TRUE. Spaying your pet will not make her fat and lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise in the main cause of obesity.
Reducing your pets calorie intake by 20% after surgery will help ensure they maintain a healthy, lean weight.

-She should have one litter first.

NOT TRUE. It is actually better for her not to have a litter or a heat cycle before being spayed.
Each heat cycle your female pet goes through increases the risk of future mammary cancer by 20%.
She can be spayed at 5 to 6 months of age before the first heat cycle.

-Spaying will hurt her.

NOT TRUE. Spaying is a safe and relatively painless surgery done by a licensed veterinarian.
We use pain medications before and after the procedure.

-I will find homes for my puppies or kittens.

NOT TRUE. You may be able to place your puppies or kittens, but are they all "good" homes?
And remember each time you place one of your puppies or kittens, somewhere else an animal is being
destroyed because there was no home for him. Right now in the United States 15 million animals are being euthanized each year!
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Why Neuter?

There are many medical and behavioral benefits in having your male cat or dog neutered:

1. CONVENIENCE TO OWNER

-Usually stops tomcats from "spraying" foul-smelling urine in the house.

-Reduces the annoying and embarrassing urge of male dogs to "mount" peoples legs.

-Reduced dog license fees each year will quickly cover the cost of surgery.

-Reduces aggression against other animals. It decreases fights, thus saving you expensive veterinary bills and aggravation.

2. BETTER HEALTH FOR YOUR PET

-Eliminates your pet's desire to seek out female and reduces the risks involved with a free-roaming animal (car accidents, poisoning, etc.).

-Reduces the risk of prostate problems and testicular tumors later in life.

3. HELPS DECREASE THE OVERPOPULATION PROBLEM

-One male running loose for just a few hours can impregnate many females adding to the serious problem of unwanted puppies and kittens.

4. ELIMINATES SEXUAL FRUSTRATION

-A male sensing a female in heat is nearby can break down doors and jump fences in his desire to mate.

-Lets your pet relax and enjoy being part of the family.

MYTHS

-Neutering will take away the "guard dog" instincts.

NOT TRUE. Neutering a dog does not reduce its ability as either a guard or watch dog.
He will still be as protective of his territory as he was before the surgery.

-Neutering makes pets fat.

NOT TRUE. Neutering does not make you pet fat or lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise is the main cause of obesity.
Reducing your pets calorie intake by 20% after surgery will help ensure they maintain a healthy, lean weight.

-Neutering will hurt him.

NOT TRUE. Neutering is a safe and relatively painless surgery done be a licensed veterinarian.
We use pain medications before and after the procedure.

Information provided by:

LAKES SUPERIOR PAWS FOR LOVE

P.O. Box 963 Ashland, WI 54806