Support the fight against animal overpopulation. Spay and neuter your pets.
Every year, thousands of stray and unwanted animals are euthanized in shelters across the United States. Many of these deaths are the avoidable result of owners failing to spay and neuter their pets. Unexpected offspring fill shelters and are never given the chance at happy, loving lives. Fanwood Animal Hospital supports the fight against animal overpopulation by encouraging all pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.
Spaying
Spaying is a common surgical procedure performed on female cats and dogs. The process is called an ovariohysterectomy, and it involves removing the patient’s uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes so the animal can no longer reproduce. Fanwood Animal Hospital veterinarians recommend spaying pets when they are 3 to 6 months old, depending on their breed. Ideally, a pet will be spayed before her first heat.
Benefits of Spaying
Spaying provides pets with many notable health benefits, including:
- Preventing unwanted pregnancies
- Eliminating the risk of ovarian and uterine tumors
- Removing the possibility of uterine infections
What to Expect After Surgery
Spaying is a major surgery that requires 7 to 10 days of recovery time. Pets may be given pain medication to make recovery more comfortable. Lethargy is common for the first couple days following the procedure. To prevent infection, keep your pet from licking or biting the incision.
Neutering
Neutering is a surgical procedure performed on male cats and dogs. During the surgery, the pet is castrated so they can no longer impregnate females. Fanwood Animal Hospital generally recommends having pets neutered when they are 4 to 6 months old, but the procedure can be performed on older animals as well.
Benefits of Neutering
Neutering provides pets with many notable health benefits, including:
- Preventing unwanted reproduction
- Placating the animal, reducing aggressive behavior and decreasing dominant tendencies
- Reducing roaming and spraying (territory-marking)
- Eliminating the risk of testicular and prostate tumors
What to Expect After Surgery
Although it is less invasive than spaying, neutering is still a major medical procedure that requires some recovery time. Following the procedure, your pet will be sleepy from the anesthesia, and this lethargy may last a couple of days. Your Fanwood veterinarian may administer medication to combat pain during recovery. To prevent infection, keep your pet from licking or biting the incision.
To learn more about spaying and neutering, or to schedule an appointment, contact your Fanwood Animal Hospital veterinarian.