Having your pup spayed or neutered prevents unwanted pregnancies and litters and also curbs undesirable behaviors. These procedures can even reduce the risk of certain diseases in your dog. Here, our Beacon vets walk you through what you need to know about having your puppy undergo one of these procedures.
Why should I get my dog fixed?
If you have a new puppy, you may be wondering whether you should have it spayed or neutered. This is especially true if your dog will be on a leash or confined to your garden or backyard.
In fact, there are many reason to have your dog fixed, including some significant health benefits, behavioral benefits, and possibly even financial benefits!
Benefits of a Spayed Female Dog
Dogs crowd animal shelters across the United States. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that 3.3 million dogs enter America's shelter system each year.
Health Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Spaying your female dog before she reaches her first "heat" can help to curb diseases like uterine infections and breast tumors, both of which can cause cancer.
Financial Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Preventing the birth of unwanted puppies is economical. While there is a fee for spaying, it is small in comparison to the cost of caring for a pregnant dog, calling a vet to the birth of the puppies, and caring for newborns.
Deciding Not To Spay Your Female Dog
Female dogs enter a reproductive stage known as "heat" when they are not spayed. For up to 18 days during this stage, male dogs may be attracted to your pup. This could result in an unwanted litter of puppies as well as visits from male dogs while you're out walking or in your yard.
Benefits of a Neutered Male Dog
As with spaying female dogs, when you neuter your male dog you help to reduce the population of unwanted dogs in the United States.
Health Benefits of Neutering Your Dog
By having your dog neutered, you can help to completely eliminate their risk of developing tentacular cancer and significantly reduce their risk of developing prostate diseases (which can be quite serious). Neutering also aids in avoiding undesirable traits and ailments like hernias and perinial tumors.
Behavioral Benefits of Neutering Your Dog
Neutering can help to curb your dog's desire to roam and may help to reduce behaviors such as mounting and aggression towards other dogs.
Deciding Not To Neuter Your Male Dog
Unwanted behaviors of a male dog that hasn't been neutered include a variety of different undesirable behaviors. Toy and person overprotection, aggression toward other dogs, increased territorial behavior, and roving are a few of these (particularly when seeking female dogs).
When to Get Your Puppy Fixed
Typically, puppies are spayed or neutered between five to nine months of age. Adult dogs can also be spayed or neutered. Consult your vet to find out when you should get your dog fixed.
What to Expect When Getting Your Puppy Fixed
Your vet will be able to provide you with a set of detailed pre-surgical instructions. These will include restricting your pet's food and water intake before their schedule procedure.
After the surgery, your veterinarian will give you post-operative instructions to help your dog recover comfortably. Pain medication may be sent home with your dog depending on when the procedure is performed.
Generally, female dogs take longer to recover after being spayed than male dogs after being neutered.
After a female has been spayed, she is considered to be sterile and will not be able to have puppies.
It's important to remember that male dogs aren't considered sterile immediate after they have undergone a neuter. It can take up to 6 weeks for them to be safely considered sterile.
