Spay & Neuter

Why Spaying and Neutering Matter for Your Pet

Spaying and neutering are common, safe, and effective procedures that can significantly benefit your pet’s health and help prevent unwanted pet overpopulation. Every year, many animals end up in shelters because there aren’t enough homes for them. Spaying or neutering your pet can reduce the chances of contributing to this problem while providing health benefits for your furry companion.

What is Spaying?

Spaying is a surgical procedure for female pets in which the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes are removed, making the animal unable to reproduce. This is a common procedure that is often performed when pets are young, but the timing may depend on your pet’s health, age, and breed.

Benefits of Spaying:

• Helps prevent unwanted pregnancies, which is important for reducing the number of pets in shelters.
• Lowers the risk of certain cancers, such as mammary / breast cancer.
• Prevents infections like pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection.

Recovery After Spaying:

While Spaying is a common surgery, it is still a major procedure. Recovery typically takes around 2 weeks. Your pet will need some time to rest, and we’ll provide pain management to keep them comfortable. During the recovery period, your pet may wear an e-collar to avoid licking the incision, and you should limit their activity to ensure proper healing.

What is Neutering?

Neutering is the surgical procedure for male pets that removes the testicles, preventing them from fathering litters.

Benefits of Neutering:

• Reduces aggressive behaviors and can help prevent dominant or territorial tendencies.
• Decreases roaming and spraying (territory marking), which are common behaviors in unneutered male pets.
• Reduces the risk of testicular cancer
• Prostate issues.

Recovery After Neutering:

Neutering is a less invasive procedure than spaying, but your pet will still need time to recover. It’s important to monitor your pet to prevent licking or chewing at the incision site. Recovery time is generally quicker, and most pets will return to their normal activities within a week.

To schedule an appointment, contact Cactus Creek Animal Hospital at (702) 675-3800 or make an appointment online.