Spaying or neutering your dog prevents unwanted litters, helps curb undesirable behaviors, and reduces the risk of certain diseases. Our vets in Kennesaw will share essential information about getting your dog fixed.
Why should I get my dog fixed?
If you have a new puppy, you might be wondering why you should spay or neuter your dog, especially if your dog will be on-leash during walks and confined to your home and garden.
In fact, fixing your dog offers numerous reasons, including significant health benefits, behavioral improvements, and potentially even financial advantages!
Benefits of Spaying Female Dogs
Across America, animal shelters are filled with unwanted dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that 3.3 million dogs pass through shelters annually.
Health Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Spaying your female dog before her first 'heat' reduces the risk of uterine infections and malignant or cancerous breast tumors.
Financial Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Preventing the birth of unwanted puppies benefits your pocketbook. While spaying incurs a fee, it remains relatively low compared to the expenses associated with caring for a pregnant dog, summoning a vet for the birth of the puppies, and tending to newborns.
Deciding Not To Spay Your Female Dog
Female dogs that are not spayed experience a reproductive stage commonly known as 'heat' approximately twice a year. Male dogs are drawn to your female for about 18 days during this period. This attraction can result in uninvited male dogs entering your yard and potentially giving rise to unwanted puppies.
Benefits of Neutering Male Dogs
As with spaying female dogs, when you neuter your male dog, you help reduce the population of unwanted dogs in the United States.
Health Benefits of Neutering Your Dog
Neutering your dog reduces the risk of developing testicular cancer and significantly lowers the chances of prostate diseases, which can be serious. Additionally, it helps diminish the risk of perianal tumors and perineal hernias in your dog.
Behavioral Benefits of Neutering Your Dog
Neutering your dog can curb its desire to roam and may reduce behaviors such as mounting and aggression toward other dogs.
Deciding Not To Neuter Your Male Dog
Unneutered male dogs often exhibit several undesirable behaviors, such as heightened territorial behavior, over-protectiveness towards people and toys, roaming in search of female dogs, and aggression towards other dogs.
When to Get Your Puppy Fixed
Typically, vets spay or neuter puppies between five to nine months of age. Vets can also spay or neuter adult dogs. Consult your vet to determine the appropriate timing for getting your dog fixed.
What to Expect When Getting Your Puppy Fixed
Your vet will provide you with detailed pre-surgical instructions, which may include restricting your pet's food and water before the scheduled surgery.
Once the surgery is complete, your vet will provide you with post-operative instructions to help your dog recover comfortably. Depending on which procedure has been performed, pain medication may be sent home with your dog.
Female dogs generally require more time to recover after spaying compared to the recovery time for male dogs after neutering.
After spaying a female dog, she becomes sterile and incapable of having puppies.
It is important to note that male dogs are not considered sterile immediately following surgery! A neutered male can take as long as 6 weeks to be considered sterile.