Your Dog's Spay Or Neuter Procedure: What You Need To Know
Posted on: 10 May 2018
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If your dog is not yet spayed or neutered, this is a procedure you'll want to speak with your vet about as soon as possible. Spaying and neutering procedures are among the most commonly performed veterinary surgical services in vet offices today. Specifically, these procedures prevent your pet from reproducing by removing some of their reproductive parts; as a result, you do your part to help prevent unwanted litters, which in-turn frees up shelter space for other pets in need.
If you've recently scheduled your pet's spay/neuter procedure or are planning to do so in the near future, there are a few things you may want to know.
It's Beneficial to Most Dogs
Start by being aware of the numerous benefits (aside from avoiding unwanted litters) that you and your pet will enjoy from this procedure. Specifically, dogs will enjoy a number of health benefits when they are spayed or neutered. Males, for example, will see lower rates of testicular cancer, and female dogs will see reduced instances of other types of reproductive cancers. Furthermore, female dogs are able to avoid the health complications and physical burdens that often come along with pregnancy and delivery.
The Surgery Itself is Quick
While your vet's office may ask you to bring your pet in early in the morning for surgery, and your pet probably won't be released until late that day or the very next day, the procedure itself usually doesn't take more than about 30 minutes. However, because anesthesia is involved in this procedure, your vet will probably want your pet to come in early for evaluative blood work and other monitoring.
Keep an Eye on Your Pet
Most pets don't experience any serious complications from a spay or neuter surgery, but you'll still be advised to keep an eye out for potential issues. The main thing to watch for is your pet chewing, scratching, or biting at the incision site. If this happens, your pet may need to wear a protective cone around its head to prevent this from happening. Other than that, because most vet offices will use dissolving sutures, there isn't much more you should need to do when it comes to helping with your pet's recovery.
Having your pet spayed or neutered is a responsible choice that more pet owners should make. And now that you know the basics of what to expect, you can make a better-informed decision for your pet.