All About Spaying And Neutering Dogs
Shelters are full of unwanted dogs looking for new homes. Countless other stray dogs who've avoided being picked up by animal control roam the streets. These dogs are at risk of being struck by a car, getting sick, or starving. There are many debates surrounding the best way to reduce the population of dogs, thereby preventing many of these unfortunate occurrences. However, one thing many agree on is that dog owners should be spaying or neutering their dogs. This article will explain what's involved with having your dog spayed or neutered and provide information on why you should follow through with it as a responsible pet owner.
The Spay and Neuter Process
Spaying is done to females, while males get neutered, but the commonly used term for both of these is "fixed." If you have a dog at home who isn't fixed, then the responsible thing to do is make an appointment with the vet and have it done soon. They will usually have you drop your dog off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon, after the procedure has been done and they've had time to observe your pet to ensure they've handled everything well.
When a female is spayed, the veterinarian makes a small incision near the belly button and removes the uterus and ovaries. Generally, absorbable sutures will be used, preventing the need for you to bring your dog back in just to have the sutures removed. When neutering a male, a small incision is made near the scrotum, and the vet removes the testicles through the incision. Absorbable sutures are used for males as well.
The procedures are very common, and very little risk is involved. The veterinarian will give your dog anesthesia, so they'll be asleep during the entire procedure. You can also bring your dog home with some medication to give them if they start showing signs of discomfort.
The Importance of Having Your Dog Fixed
Become part of the solution: When it comes to things like dog overpopulation as a dog owner, unless you're a responsible breeder, you're either part of the solution or part of the problem. If a dog isn't fixed, then it can get loose and end up breeding. That creates a litter the owner isn't interested in having, and then those puppies grow up and have unwanted litters of their own. Many times, these dogs are given away to strangers who don't care for them properly, or they go straight to the animal shelter as soon as they're old enough.
You may feel your dog is fine because you always keep it inside the house or in the fenced yard. However, dogs that aren't fixed have extremely high drives regarding mating. This makes them harder to keep at home, and it can lead to aggressive and/or destructive behavior. Spaying or neutering your dog is the best way to ensure it doesn't end up breeding and causing one more unwanted litter that adds to the current population problem.
Help your dog stay healthier: Another reason for having your dog spayed or neutered is that it's better for their health. An intact female dog is more likely to develop a condition called cystic endometrial hyperplasia. This leads to a thickening of the uterus wall and can cause serious infections.
Male intact dogs are at risk of developing benign prostatic hypertrophy hyperplasia, which is a condition that affects the prostate, causing many possible health issues. Having your dog fixed significantly decreases the chances of them developing these health problems.
If you would like to learn more about spay and neuter procedures, contact a vet.
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