Spay and Neuter: Improving the Lives of Dogs and Cats Throughout Reno, NV
At Damonte Ranch Animal Hospital, we regularly perform spay and neuter surgeries on dogs and cats to prevent unwanted litters, which indirectly benefits shelter animals, too. Fewer stray dogs and cats on the streets means fewer animals in shelters--and more animals in warm, loving forever homes. But there are other benefits that accompany spaying and neutering as well; various health and behavioral issues can be reduced or prevented entirely with spaying and neutering.
Call (775) 852-8522 to schedule your pet’s spay or neuter appointment today.
When Should My Pet be Spayed or Neutered?
Ideally, dogs and cats should undergo their spay/neuter surgery at or around a certain age:
- Kittens: 4+ months
- Small and medium-sized dogs: 6+ months
- Large and extra-large dog breeds: 9-12+ months
Depending on your pet’s health and development, the age at which they are spayed or neutered might vary. However, the goal is to spay/neuter your pet early enough to reduce their chances for future health problems, while also waiting long enough for their bones and joints to develop properly. For large and extra-large dog breeds, growth takes longer. Because their sex hormones play an important role in their growth rate, spaying/neutering too soon could interfere with their proper growth and development.
How Your Pet Benefits from Their Spay/Neuter Procedure
Spaying or neutering your pet has an important part to play in their long-term health. It can also lessen or even prevent certain behaviors, like marking/spraying urine in the house, mounting other dogs/cats, roaming, and loud vocalizations.
The health benefits of spay and neuter surgeries include:
- Minimizing (but not eliminating) the risk of mammary gland tumors in dogs and cats; 50% of which are malignant in dogs and 85% of which are malignant in cats
- Minimizing the risk of pyometra, an infection of the uterus, or ovarian and uterine cancers in females
- Lowering the risk in males for testicular and perianal tumors and prostate disease
Common Spay and Neuter Myths
There are a few misconceptions about spaying and neutering dogs and cats that we would like to address.