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Spaying or Neutering Your Puppy

What Are The Health Benefits?

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Spaying or Neutering Your Puppy Offers Many Health Benefits

Dogs not intended for breeding should be spayed or neutered, not only for health reasons but to keep pet population down.

Female Dogs:

Spaying female dogs (called ovariohysterectomy) prevents heat cycles from occurring approximately every 5 months, and if performed before the first or second heat cycle, lowers the chance of mammary cancer. Spaying also prevents pyometra which is a life-threatening uterine infection and, most importantly, pregnancy and unwanted or poorly bred puppies. This procedure prevents unwanted litters and heats and should be performed between 4 and 6 months of age.

Spaying Health Benefits For Female Dogs:

• Eliminates strange visiting male dogs during heat cycles.
  
• Elimination of tumors of the ovaries or uterus.
  
• Eliminates stress, leading to increased susceptibility to disease.
  
• Eliminates need for extra food during pregnancy/nursing.
  
• Eliminates irritability during heat cycles.
  
• Eliminates tumors of the ovaries or uterus
  
• Eliminates spotting during heat cycle.
  
• Eliminates nervouseness during heat cycle.

Male Dogs:

Neutering male dogs (called castration) helps prevent unwanted pregnancies and lowers the likelihood of prostate problems. Neutering inhibits the urge to run away in search of females and helps you avoid some behavioral issues, such as aggression and/or dominance. The surgery is a simple procedure and should be performed between 4 and 6 months of age.

Neutering Health Benefits For Male Dogs:

• Eliminates wandering, escaping, which can lead to injuries.
  
• Eliminates "Riding" inappropriate objects.
  
• Elimination of territorial - urinating to mark territory.
  
• Eliminates fighting other dogs to defend territory.
  
• Eliminates prostate tumors and infections.
  
• Eliminates tumors of the testicles, penis, anal area.
  
• Eliminates tumors of the ovaries or uterus.
  
• Eliminates stress, leading to increased susceptibility to disease.
  
• Eliminates perineal hernia.

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Besides improving your pet's health, spaying or neutering your puppy can also increase her or his lifespan. Best of all, altering is the first step toward preventing homelessness for future puppies - a nice benefit for everyone.

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