OTTUMWA FAMILY ANIMAL CARE
  • Our Services
    • Boarding
    • Hospice and Euthanasia
    • Nutritional Counseling
    • Parasite Prevention
    • X-Rays
    • Senior Care
    • Wellness Exams
    • Dental Care
    • Fully Stocked Pharmacy
    • Microchipping
    • Pain Management
    • Puppy and Kitten Care
    • Surgery
    • Vaccinations
  • News & Events
  • Current Specials
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Locations
    • Testimonials
    • CAREERS
    • Contact Us

Blog

Top 5 Reasons Why to Have Your Puppy Spayed

5/8/2014

1 Comment

 
​Question: I just got a new puppy! I’m thinking about having her spayed, but I’m very nervous about the procedure. When is the best time to have it done? Someone told me to wait until she is at least one year old or even let her have a litter of puppies first. They said that waiting will help calm her down. Will she get fat after surgery? What should I do?
Picture
Answer: That is a great question! There are lots of good reasons to have your new pet spayed. Here are my top five:
1. Help control the pet over-population. There are many unwanted dogs out there due to “accidental” litters. 
2. Help prevent “pyometra” or uterine infections. These infections can be fatal without intervention in the form of costly emergency surgery and medical therapy. 
3. Prevent certain types of cancer (such as mammary cancer) later in life. Having your pet spayed before her first heat cycle reduces the risk of these types of cancer by 93%! If you wait until after the first heat cycle, but before the second heat cycle, the risk is still reduced by 75%. 
4. Younger animals heal more quickly after surgery and have fewer complications. 
5. Spaying can actually have positive behavior benefits. Females that are not spayed can have more erratic, aggressive or moody behaviors. These can occur especially around the time of her heat cycles.
​
It is important to remember that spaying and neutering your pet may slightly decrease their natural metabolism. Weight gain can be avoided by regular exercise and close monitoring of their diet. 
In conclusion, we recommend spaying (and neutering) your pets between 4 and 6 months of age. Pipestone Veterinary Services thoroughly examines all of our patients immediately prior to surgery, and use the safest anesthetic drugs and monitoring techniques. We also recommend blood-work that will check for any conditions that may put your pet more as risk for going under anesthesia. All of these things will help minimize her risk to the lowest possible level. Don’t hesitate to ask your vet what their normal procedures are.
1 Comment
Zachary Tomlinson link
6/21/2020 07:19:40 pm

Thanks for helping me understand the benefits of having a dog neutered. I find it amazing to learn that this prevents the development of cancer to them. My friend noticed a couple of posters regarding pet neutering the other day and it got him curious. I'll share this with him and suggest that he get his beagle neutered as soon as he can.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Cats
    Dogs
    Events
    Exam Room Questions
    Food
    Sick Pet

    Archives

    July 2020
    June 2020
    October 2019
    July 2019
    August 2018
    May 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    November 2015
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014

    RSS Feed

Pipestone Veterinary Services - White Logo
2830 North Court Street
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Phone: 641.682.2291
View a larger map
Office Hours
Monday - Friday:
7:30 am to 5:30 pm
Saturday:
7:30 am to 12:00 pm
Sunday:
Closed
See your pet on Petly - As your pet's personal health page, Petly is a special place for you and your pet. You're just one click away! - GO TO PETLY
Connect with Us
Facebook icon
Email Icon
Review Us Online
Yelp Icon
Google Plus Icon

Site Powered by Weebly. Managed by IDEXX Laboratories.
Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Service
  • Our Services
    • Boarding
    • Hospice and Euthanasia
    • Nutritional Counseling
    • Parasite Prevention
    • X-Rays
    • Senior Care
    • Wellness Exams
    • Dental Care
    • Fully Stocked Pharmacy
    • Microchipping
    • Pain Management
    • Puppy and Kitten Care
    • Surgery
    • Vaccinations
  • News & Events
  • Current Specials
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Locations
    • Testimonials
    • CAREERS
    • Contact Us