Why is it important to spay and neuter your dog?
It’s important to spay and neuter your dog for many different reasons. One of the biggest things is if we keep a pet intact, meaning we keep their reproductive organs inside their body, long term it can cause cancer. In females, it can cause cancer in their ovaries and an infection in their uterus called a pyometra, which can be life-threatening. In males, it can lead to testicular cancer and issues with the prostate long term.
How does spaying and neutering affect a dog's behavior?
In terms of behavior, spaying and neutering help as well. Intact animals can sometimes wander off in search of a mate. They could run off, get hit by a car, or run away. They could also end up having puppies with another pet, and we want to control that.
When should the conversation about spaying and neutering begin?
The conversation can be started when you first bring in your pet for their puppy exams. Typically, spaying and neutering don't happen until about 6 to 12 months of age. It depends on how big the dog is. Larger dogs are usually spayed and neutered a little bit later in life towards that 12-month period, whereas smaller dogs are spayed and neutered closer to the 6 to 7-month period. You should consult your veterinarian, and they'll help you make a plan for what's best for your pet.
What is the recovery process like after the procedure?
After the procedure, they will need a recovery time, typically about 14 days, maybe a little bit longer, depending on how the incision looks and how they're feeling. We usually send home some pain control to help with their pain. We need to restrict their activity, so they can't be jumping on and off furniture. We should avoid picking them up and restrict their activities so they aren't running around, like going to dog parks or going on long walks. They need to wear a cone, an e-collar, so they don't lick at their incisions or chew open the incision. Typically, that would be about 14 days.
What complications should pet owners be aware of after spaying or neutering?
If an incision has come open or looks infected, it might be bleeding a little bit, or there could be some oozing from the incision. In spays, we can sometimes see what's called a seroma, where some fluid from the abdominal cavity can build up under the incision. It can look like a bump, which is concerning and can be painful. In males, sometimes we see hematomas, which can be really painful as blood builds up in their scrotum, making it look like they hadn't been neutered. This can be confusing to pet owners. These issues are managed with pain control, keeping the pet a little more sedated at home so they don't have the urge to run and jump, and antibiotics can help as well.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (703) 273-2110, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.