By spaying or
neutering your pet, you'll help control the pet homelessness
crisis, as thousands of kittens and cats suffer or die in the
streets each year simply because there aren't enough homes to go
around. There are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying
(female pets) and neutering (male pets) your animals.
Here are some of
the medical benefits:
Your female pet
will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine
infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in
about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet
before her first heat offers the best protection from these
diseases. Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer
and some prostate problems.
And behavioral
benefits:
Your spayed female
pet won't go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines
usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during
breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl
and urinate more frequently-sometimes all over the house!
Your male dog will
be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just
about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways
escape from the house. Once he's free to roam, he risks injury in
traffic and fights with other male animals.
Your neutered male
may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to
mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over
the house. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs,
people and inanimate objects after he's neutered.Some aggression
problems may be avoided by early neutering.
Spaying/neutering
your pets is also highly cost-effective. The cost of your pet's
spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring
for a litter.
Debunking
Spay/Neuter Myths and Misconceptions
Spaying or
neutering will not cause your pet to become overweight. Lack of
exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra
pounds-not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as
you continue to provide exercise and monitor her food
intake.
Neutering is not as
a quick fix for all behavior problems. Although neutering your pet
often reduces undesirable behaviors caused by a higher level of
testosterone, there's no guarantee that your dog's behavior will
change after he's neutered. Although the surgery will reduce the
amount of testosterone in your dog's system, it won't eliminate
the hormone completely. Neutering will also not reduce behaviors
that your pet has earned or that have become habitual. The effects
of neutering are largely dependent on your dog's individual
personality, physiology and history.
When to Spay or
Neuter Your Pet
For dogs:While the
traditional age for neutering is six to nine months, as long as
they're healthy. Dogs can be neutered as adults as well, although
there's a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications in
older dogs, dogs that are overweight or dogs that have health
problems.
For cats: It is
generally considered safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old
to be spayed or neutered. In animal shelters, surgery is often
performed at this time so that kittens can be sterilized prior to
adoption. In an effort to avoid the start of urine spraying and
eliminate the chance for pregnancy, it's advisable to schedule the
surgery before your own cat reaches five months of age. It's
possible to spay a female cat while she's in heat.
Talk to your
veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your
pet.
Helping Your Pet
Before and After Surgery
Your or the
Hellenic Animal Welfare veterinarians at Koropi or Nea Chalkidona,
will provide pre-surgical advice that you should follow. In
general, avoid giving your cat any food after midnight the night
before surgery. A puppy or kitten, however, needs adequate
nutrition, and your veterinarian may advise that food not be
withheld.
Our veterinarians
can also provide post-operative instructions for you to follow.
Although your pet may experience some discomfort after surgery,
your veterinarian can take various measures to control pain.
Depending on the procedure performed, medication for pain may be
sent home with your pet.
Here are tips for a
safe and comfortable recovery: Provide your pet with a quiet place
to recover indoors and away from other animals. Prevent your pet
from running and jumping for up to two weeks following surgery, or
as long as your veterinarian recommends. Prevent your pet from
licking the incision site, which may cause infection, by
distracting your pet with treats or by using an Elizabethan
collar. Avoid bathing your pet for at least ten days after
surgery. Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing.
If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery
site, or if the incision is open, please contact your
veterinarian. Also call your veterinarian if your pet is
lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhea
or any other concerns following surgery.
Join the Hellenic
Animal Welfare Society (filozoiki.gr) 210-2581.391 & 210-6020.202
.
Animals in need are
counting on the Hellenic Animal Welfare Society Greece, and we are
counting on you.