The Importance of Spaying and Neutering

Whether you have a kitten, puppy, or a recently adopted pet, it is important to make sure he or she is spayed or neutered. Veterinarians recommend having your pet spayed or neutered as a safe and effective way of eliminating negative habits and promoting a long and healthy life for your pet. Our team at Lange Animal Clinic is here to help your pet throughout the process.

What Is Spaying or Neutering?

Spaying (for females) or neutering (for males) means removing all or part of an animal’s reproductive organs. This is performed as a routine surgery at our clinic. In females, this means removing the ovaries as well. Spayed females will not go into heat and attract unwanted males.

When to Neuter or Spay

Neutering or spaying your pet early is the best way to get the maximum benefit. Pets can be neutered or spayed as young as 8 weeks old, but we generally recommend around 5-6 months of age. However, smaller breeds may need to wait longer to develop more before being spayed or neutered. It is important to consult our staff to find the best time for your pet to have the surgery.

How Long After Giving Birth Can My Pet Be Spayed?

While it is tempting to get your female pet spayed as soon as possible after pregnancy, it is best to wait until at least two weeks after her milk has dried up and the litter has fully weaned off. This is often at five weeks of age. It is important to know that cat mothers can get pregnant again while nursing their kittens. The best way to prevent another pregnancy until you can get her spayed is to keep her away from male pets.

Aftercare

Following the surgery, your pet will be sent home with care instructions and medications. This is to keep your pet calm and comfortable while he or she is healing. Most pets recover from their surgery between 10 and 14 days. A confined relaxing space may be needed for aftercare.

Benefits of Spay and Neuter Surgery

• Reduced risk of cancer – Spaying can reduce the risk of breast tumors, uterus infections, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer.
• Prevent the pet from going into heat – when a female cat goes into heat, they often urinate frequently and indiscriminately on floors and furniture. A heat cycle is 4-5 days every three weeks.
• Marking territory – Pets often mark their territory by urinating. This can be very smelly, particularly when it is inside the home. Neutering can help eliminate the problem.
• Eliminate wandering behavior – As pets develop, they can wander around the neighborhood looking for someone to mate with. When they roam, pets can get lost, hurt, or bother others.
• Controlling the pet population – Pets are abandoned at shelters every day. There aren’t enough homes for the 6.5 million animals that are found every year. Spaying or Neutering can help diminish that number.

We Are Here to Help in Pekin

If you are thinking about having your pet spayed or neutered, contact Lange Animal Clinic. Our team will perform a complete exam to get your pet prepared for the procedure. After this exam, we will schedule the appointment for your pet's surgery. We are committed to providing the highest quality of care for pets in Pekin and the surrounding areas. Give us a call to see how we can help you and your animal.