Spaying and Neutering
There are several behavioural and health benefits to having your pet spayed or neutered. It can prevent undesirable behaviours (roaming, aggressiveness, mating, overpopulation and territorial marking) and health problems (tumours, pyometra).
What will spaying/neutering do to my pet?
Neutering (also called castration) involves the complete removal of the testicles, while leaving the scrotum intact. Spaying (also called ovariohysterectomy) corresponds to the removal of the ovaries and uterus. The animal will then be unable to mate.
Spaying and neutering both require a general anesthesia and a 48-hour stay in our clinic. These two postoperative days at our clinic ensure that the procedure went well and that your pet is okay to return home. Please note that your pet’s vaccinations must be up-to-date before being admitted to the hospital.
When should I have my pet spayed/neutered?
We recommend spaying or neutering cats when they are between 4 and 6 months of age. However, spaying and neutering can be done at any age depending on your pet’s health.
While we recommend neutering small dog breeds when they are 6 months old and larger breeds when they have finished growing (around 12 months), females should be spayed before their first heat cycle (around 6 months). However, each case is different and talking to your vet can save you a lot of headaches!
Why is it important to have my dog neutered or spayed?
Neutering or spaying a pet is a personal choice that prevents many undesirable behaviours (territory marking, running away, mating) and prevents animal overpopulation. Spaying prevents heat cycles, mating and, by the same token, unwanted litters.