Spayed & Neutered For Pet – Rio Rancho

Pets are such a big part of our lives. You can rely on Coronado Pet Hospital as the animal clinic Rio Rancho pet owners trust to act in the best interest of their cats and dogs. Whether you are a cat person or dog person, or one of the rare combinations of both, your pet is a part of your family that you want to keep happy and healthy. You owe it to yourself, your family, and your pets to learn the facts about spaying and neutering your cats and dogs.

Stray cats and homeless dogs are a major problem in all kinds of communities throughout the country. Animal shelters are full of unwanted or unclaimed cats and dogs, and the ones on the street have it far worse off. The process of spaying and neutering pets controls the population of homeless cats and dogs and, at the same time, serves to keep your pet happy and healthy.

The animal health care professionals at Coronado Pet Hospital are part of the highly respected animal hospital Rio Rancho relies on for the finest care of their valued pets. They can answer any questions you may have regarding the spaying and neutering of your cat or dog.

What Does It Mean to Spay or Neuter My Pet?

Spaying or neutering is a surgical procedure that removes the sexual organs from cats or dogs. Females are spayed, while the males are neutered. The surgery prevents reproduction but can also affect the pet’s physical and behavioral health.

The operation females undergo to be spayed typically involves a small incision on the animal’s abdomen, where both ovaries and often the uterus are removed. Male animals that are neutered have both testicles removed through a small incision in the scrotum. A small percentage of male dogs and cats have a condition called cryptorchidism, in which the testicle is retained in the pet’s abdomen. In these cases, a small abdominal incision is made to retrieve and remove the testicle.

Does It Hurt to Get Spayed and Neutered?

Neutering is usually the less invasive of the two surgeries. Except in the uncommon cases of cryptorchidism, male patients experience minimal discomfort. Spaying involves opening the abdomen and removing several organs (ovaries and uterus). The experienced veterinary surgeons at Coronado Pet Hospital are skilled at opening the smallest incision possible and avoiding cutting into the abdominal muscles. Nevertheless, pre-and intra-operative pain injections are used to minimize the female pet’s discomfort. These drugs are designed to control pain for hours and sometimes several days, depending on the drug.

All patients are sent home with oral pain medication to maintain their comfort during recovery. Assuming the patient is kept relatively quiet – no running, jumping, or explosive play – a week or two sees the patient back to their normal self.

What Are the Health Benefits to My Pet?

Reduce Risk of Certain Cancers and Other Diseases

The removal of your pet’s sexual organs eliminates the chance of testicular cancer, a common occurrence in males, and mammary cancer in females. Mammary tumors are the most common type of cancer in female dogs and cats, where the chance of malignancy is 50%. Males are at decreased risk of certain diseases and inflammation of the prostate and perianal region. Females are prevented from developing a Pyometra, an often-fatal infection of the uterus.

Your pet may experience behavioral changes after spaying or neutering. The most likely changes involve those sexually driven behaviors like roaming in search of a partner, urine marking, and aggression toward same-sex rivals. These behaviors may be reduced, but every pet is an individual, and the surgery does not automatically act as an OFF switch. Your pet’s behaviors are a product of genetics, environment, and training. The change in hormone production affects every pet differently.

What Are the Benefits to the Community?

Pet overpopulation is a problem all over the country. Shelters and rescues are full of unwanted dogs and cats, puppies and kittens. Homeless dogs and cats roaming at large can be a danger to the neighborhood as they themselves face the dangers of cars, other animals, toxins, dehydration, and starvation. Homeless cat populations, when uncontrolled, can be a public health hazard and lethal for wildlife.

Is There Any Reason Not to Spay or Neuter My Pet?

Actually, yes – there are several reasons not to spay or neuter young animals. Removing the sexual organs of cats and dogs in particular prior to maturity is a risk factor for developing certain types of cancer like lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumors, and cardiac tumors. Orthopedic issues like cruciate ligament ruptures and hip and elbow dysplasia have a higher instance in dogs that were spayed or neutered before the complete development of bones and joints. Female pets may develop urinary infections and urinary incontinence. Once your pet has reached maturity, these risks may be greatly reduced, and the case for spaying and neutering to prevent future disease is much more compelling. Genetics plays a large part in these risk factors. Your veterinarian is your best resource to sort through the data on both sides and help you make the decision that’s right for your pet.

However, if your pet is prone to escape your house or yard or is at risk of ending up in a shelter or rescue, spaying or neutering is your immediate choice to prevent unwanted litters. It only takes one time!

Contact Coronado Pet Hospital for All Your Questions About Spaying and Neutering

Coronado Pet Hospital is the full-service animal clinic Rio Rancho dog and cat owners trust to get the finest health care for their pets. Our experienced veterinarians can advise you on the right time to spay or neuter your dog or cat to preserve their optimal health from puppy- or kitten-hood to old age. From general veterinary services to surgery and dental care, our state-of-the-art AAHA- accredited facility has every resource available to offer your family pets the finest comprehensive medical care in Rio Rancho.

For complete information or to schedule your next appointment, call today at (505) 771-3311.