If you want to prevent your pup from having unwanted pregnancies or litters and reduce undesirable behaviors, consider having them spayed or neutered. Our vets in Fort Oglethorpe can guide you through the process of having our puppy undergo one of those procedures.
Why should I get my dog fixed?
You may be wondering if you should spay or neuter your new puppy, especially if you plan to keep them on a leash for walks or within the confines of your garden or backyard. However, there are several reasons to consider having your dog fixed, such as significant health benefits, behavioral improvements, and even potential financial savings!
Benefits of Spaying Female Dogs
Across the United States, animal shelters are filled with dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the ASPCA) estimates that 3.3 million dogs are a part of the shelter system in America each year.
Health Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Spaying your female dog before she reaches her first "heat" can help 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 good for your pocketbook. While there is a fee for spaying, this fee is relatively low when compared to the cost of caring for a pregnant dog, calling a vet for the birth of the puppies, and caring for newborns.
Deciding Not To Spay Your Female Dog
When female dogs aren't spayed, they go into a reproductive stage often known as "heat." This stage can cause male dogs to be attracted to your pup for up to 18 days. This can lead to unwanted visits from male dogs while out for walks or in your yard and can also result in an unwanted litter of puppies.
Benefits of Neutering Male Dogs
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 neutering your dog, you are helping to eliminate the risk of tentacular cancer for them. You can significantly curb the risk of prostate diseases (which can be quite serious). Neutering also helps to prevent undesirable behaviors and conditions like perinial tumors and hernias.
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
There are many different undesirable behaviors typical of a male dog that hasn't been neutered. These include increased territorial behavior, being over-protective of toys and people, aggression towards other dogs, and roaming (particularly when seeking female dogs).
When to Get Your Puppy Fixed
Before the scheduled surgical procedure, your veterinarian will provide you with detailed pre-surgical instructions, including instructions to restrict your pet's food and water intake.
What to Expect When Getting Your Puppy Fixed
Once the surgery is completed, your veterinarian will provide you with post-operative instructions to help your dog recover comfortably. Depending on the timing of the procedure, pain medication may be sent home with your dog.
It is important to note that female dogs tend to take longer to recover after being spayed than male dogs after being neutered.
After a female dog undergoes spaying, she is considered sterile and will not be able to have puppies.
However, male dogs are not immediately considered sterile after being neutered. It may take up to 6 weeks for them to be safely considered sterile.