We know that you have questions about how best to care for your pets. Below are some helpful hints in providing cares to your pets on a daily basis and in times of need. If you have other questions that are not answered here, please let us know by emailing us. We'll add your questions to this list to that it may helps others.
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Should I get my dog spayed or neutered? |
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Isn’t the surgery risky? |
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Why should I put my dog through it? |
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Will the surgery affect my pet’s personality? |
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Will my dog get fat & lazy if I do the surgery? |
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I may want to breed my dog. Can I have the surgery done later? |
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What is involved in the surgery? |
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Need to contact WWVH for further questions? |
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Should I get my dog spayed or neutered?Yes! If you are not planning to breed or show your dog, is it recommended that your dog be spayed or neutered. In addition to avoiding unwanted pregnancies, dogs that are “fixed” tend to be healthier and live longer. Back to TopIsn’t the surgery risky?Although there is a small amount of risk with any surgery, only a very small percentage of dogs have any complications associated with the surgery. The vast majority of dogs tolerate the anesthetic and surgery very well and are back to normal within 1-2 days. We recommend performing a blood test prior to surgery to detect any internal problems, such as kidney or liver disease. Back to TopWhy should I put my dog through it?Female dogs that are not spayed have a 50% chance of developing mammary (breast) cancer. Some of them can be cured with surgery, but about half cannot. In addition, every time your female goes into heat, she is at risk of developing a life-threatening infection in her uterus called pyometra. Another risk is that of unwanted puppies; even females who never leave the yard can be impregnated by a persistent neighborhood dog that jumps the fence. All it takes is a few minutes! Male dogs that are not neutered can have a tendency to develop undesirable “male” behaviors such as urine marking in the house, and roaming. A dog that roams is more likely to be hit by a car, contract infectious diseases, or be stolen. Un-neutered males are at risk of developing an enlarged prostate, which may become infected, and cancerous tumors in the anal area. Back to TopWill the surgery affect my pet’s personality?Although it can help with certain behavioral problems, in most cases, the surgery has little effect on the pet’s overall temperament. Do not expect it to “calm down” a hyper dog, or make a mean dog nice. Back to TopWill my dog get fat & lazy if I do the surgery?It is true that spaying and neutering will cause some pets’ metabolism to slow down, which can lead to obesity if their diets are not adjusted. This simply means watching your pet’s weight and cutting back on food if they start to get heavy. Most pets that are spayed and neutered are just as active and playful after the procedure as they were before. Back to TopI may want to breed my dog. Can I have the surgery done later?Yes. Middle-aged, healthy dogs, are not too old to be spayed or neutered. However, make sure you have done the research ahead of time to understand the commitment and responsibility involved in breeding your dog. Back to TopWhat is involved in the surgery?For females, the surgery is called ovariohysterectomy. This means that the ovaries and uterus are removed through an incision in the belly. Males are castrated, meaning that their testicles are removed through a small incision in front of the scrotum. The dog stays overnight in the hospital, then goes home with you the following day. You need to keep your dog quiet for several days after the surgery to prevent the incision from opening. You will also need to check the incision a few times daily. You will be given detailed instructions when your pet is discharged. Back to TopNeed to contact WWVH for further questions?If you have any further questions about spaying/neutering or want to set up an appointment, please call us at (586) 751-3350. Back to Top
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