Spay & Neuter

Pet Spay and Neuter Services in Kenosha

Which is more costly: a) raising a litter of puppies or kittens, or b) having your pet spayed or neutered? The answer is of course “a,” and that should come as no surprise. Caring for multiple animals at a time is a major undertaking! At Companion Animal Hospital Kenosha we make it our responsibility to educate pet parents about the value of spaying and neutering. Unplanned pregnancies often result in crowded shelters and a large stray animal population. Furthermore, not being spayed/neutered can increase a pet’s cancer risks.

WHAT CAN BE PREVENTED WITH SPAYING AND NEUTERING?

Preventing pregnancies in dogs and cats is just one benefit of spaying and neutering. Both females and males can also expect:

FEMALES

• No heat cycle or spotting
• Less desire to roam for breeding purposes
• Little to no risk of developing pyometra, a major uterine infection
• Less risk of developing mammary cancer
• No ovarian or uterine cancer risks

MALES

• Less aggression
• Less desire to roam for breeding purposes
• No testicular cancer risks
• Little to no risk of developing prostate issues
• Improved behavior (i.e., no inappropriate mounting of other animals, objects, etc.)

“I just recently got my pup spayed and I was worried that whole day! I got a call from the doc right after her surgery to give me a update and I also got a picture of her in recovery! That made me feel so much better, definitely a 5 star vet thank you!”

– Ashley M.

THE SPAY AND NEUTER TIMELINE

We often recommend that dogs and cats be neutered around 6 months old and after they have received their essential vaccinations. Large-breed dogs may need to wait slightly longer since they develop a little more slowly. Existing health conditions may also postpone a pet’s spay/neuter date, but this is to ensure that they receive the proper treatment and are in good health before they undergo surgery.

TOP SPAYING/NEUTERING MYTHS

There are several misconceptions around spaying and neutering:

• One is that your pet will gain weight after their procedure. There is no evidence that this is the case; granted your pet has a balanced diet and receives plenty of exercise daily, weight gain should not be a problem.
• Another myth is that spaying and neutering can affect behavior in pets. While it may reduce or eliminate certain undesirable behaviors, this is not a guarantee.
• The claim that spaying and neutering are far too expensive is also unfounded, especially with the prevalence of low-cost spay and neuter clinics around the country. From a long-term perspective, spaying and neutering will be far less costly than the alternative.
• Some pet parents believe that spaying and neutering are dangerous and can shorten a pet’s lifespan. However, a recent study found that spaying and neutering increased female life expectancy by about 26%, and male life expectancy by almost 14%.
• Lastly, spaying/neutering will not change your pet’s personality or affect their ability to protect your property. Sex hormones have no effect on their instincts or intelligence.

Call (262) 652-4266 to schedule an appointment so we can discuss your expectations for your pet’s spay/neuter surgery.