Importance of Spaying and Neutering Your Pet

Whether you have a kitten, puppy, or a recently adopted pet, it is essential to make sure he or she is spayed or neutered. Veterinarians recommend having your pet spayed or neutered as a safe and effective way of eliminating negative habits and promoting a long and healthy life for your pet. Our team at Ashworth Road Animal Hospital in West Des Moines is here to help your pet throughout the process.

What Is Spaying or Neutering?

Spaying (for females) or neutering (for males) means removing all or part of an animal’s reproductive organs. This can be performed as a routine surgery at our clinic. Spayed females will also not go into heat and attract unwanted males.

When to Neuter or Spay

Neutering or spaying your pet early on is the best way to get the maximum benefit. That means before the pet has gone through her first heat cycle. However, larger breeds may need to wait longer to develop before properly being spayed or neutered. It is important to consult our staff to find the best time for your pet to have the surgery. 

Benefits of Spay and Neuter Surgery

• Reduced risk of cancer – Spaying can reduce the risk of breast tumors, uterus infections, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer.
• Prevent the pet from going into heat – When a female cat goes into heat, she often will urinate frequently and indiscriminately on floors and furniture. When a female dog goes into heat, she will bleed from her vulva for up to a month.
• Marking territory – Pets often mark their territory by urinating. This can be very smelly, particularly when it is inside the home. Neutering can help eliminate the problem.
• Eliminate wandering behavior – As pets develop, they can wander around the neighborhood looking for someone to mate with. When they roam, pets can get lost, hurt, or bother others.
• Controlling the pet population – Pets are abandoned at shelters every day. There are not enough homes for the 6.5 million stray animals found every year. Spaying or neutering can help diminish that number.

Contact Us for Treatment from Our Veterinarians in West Des Moines, IA

If you need your pet spayed or neutered, contact us at Ashworth Road Animal Hospital. Our team will perform a complete exam to get your pet prepared for the procedure. We are committed to providing the highest quality of care for pets in West Des Moines and the surrounding areas. Give us a call today to see how we can help you and your animal.