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Serving greater Goldsboro for over 50 years. |
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Wayne Veterinary Hospital PA |
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Top 10 reasons to spay or neuter your pet: |
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10) Prostate Health: One of the most important concerns the prostate gland, which under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog's life. In old age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection, which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance, thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true.
9) Mammary Health: A female dog spayed before her first heat will have a near zero chance of developing mammary cancer. After the first heat, this incidence climbs to 7% and after the second heat the risk is 25% (one in four!). It is easy to see that an early spay can completely prevent what is frequently a very difficult and potentially fatal form of cancer. But is it too late if a dog is already past her second heat? No, in fact spaying is important even in female dogs who already have obvious tumors. This is because many mammary tumors are stimulated by estrogens; removing the ovaries, the source of estrogens, will help retard tumor spread. Spaying removes both the uterus and both ovaries and is crucial in the prevention as well as the treatment of mammary cancer.
8) Keep them at home: The interest in roaming is eliminated in 90% of neutered dogs and greater then 90% in neutered cats.
7) Urine Control: Urine marking is eliminated in 50% of neutered male dogs and greater then 90% of neutered cats will reduce this behavior.
6) Nicer Pets: Aggressive behavior against other male dogs is eliminated in 60% of neutered dogs and greater then 90% of neutered cats will reduce this behavior. Female dogs, like males, have an increased risk of aggression if left intact. Estrus can cause moodiness, and hormone changes in pregnancy can make some females downright aggressive. Her attitude can change overnight. If your dog is going to have contact with children, that's another reason to seriously consider spay/neuter.
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