{"id":796,"date":"2019-02-06T21:26:32","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T21:26:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluffspetclinic.com\/?p=796"},"modified":"2022-04-05T14:57:14","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T14:57:14","slug":"an-act-of-love-spaying-or-neutering-your-pet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluffspetclinic.com\/blog\/an-act-of-love-spaying-or-neutering-your-pet\/","title":{"rendered":"An Act Of Love: Spaying or Neutering Your Pet"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AIf you are considering adopting a pet, whether an older dog or cat, or a puppy or kitten, you may be wondering about spaying or neutering your pet. The internet, your friends and your family all abound with opinions and anecdotes about these procedures, and it\u2019s easy to consider delaying or forgoing the surgery altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n

But did you know that, besides preventing unwanted litters of puppies or kittens, there are both health and behavioral benefits to spaying or neutering your pet? Before we get ahead of ourselves, let\u2019s start with the simple facts. <\/span><\/p>\n

Spaying or Neutering Your Pet 101<\/span><\/h3>\n

Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs. In females, the ovaries and uterus are removed; in males, the testicles are removed. Both of these surgical procedures are performed by veterinarians in our hospital while your pet is under general anesthesia. At <\/span>The Bluffs Pet Clinic<\/span><\/a>, we thoroughly evaluate your pet\u2019s health before, during, and after the procedure and use the most advanced anesthetics and patient monitoring to ensure your pet\u2019s safety and comfort. <\/span><\/p>\n

What Age to Spay and Neuter<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pets from shelters are often spayed or neutered as young as 8 weeks of age, but we\u00a0<\/span>recommend scheduling the procedure no earlier than 6 months of age. For large breed dogs\u00a0<\/span>your veterinarian may recommend waiting closer to 12-18 months before spaying or neutering.\u00a0<\/span>This is because waiting to spay or neuter your large breed dog until they are closer to 12-18\u00a0<\/span>months has been proven to reduce some orthopedic diseases such as cruciate ligament\u00a0<\/span>ruptures and patellar luxations. Waiting to spay or neuter your pet also comes with an increased\u00a0<\/span>risk of unwanted hormonal behaviors and pregnancy. Please carefully consider your lifestyle\u00a0<\/span>and discuss the pros and cons of delayed spay or neuter with your veterinarian.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering<\/span><\/h3>\n

As a partner in the animal welfare and wellness community, we see many reasons and benefits for spaying and neutering. Here are some of the best reasons to do so:<\/span><\/p>\n