Spay & Neuter Surgery
in Madison, WI
Spay and neuter surgery is a very common procedure done on young pets, and for good reason. The surgery offers many benefits to your pet’s long-term health and also plays a big role in reducing the number of an unwanted litter. Pet overpopulation in Madison, WI contributes to overcrowded shelters and sometimes even the euthanizing of otherwise healthy pets. By spaying and neutering your cats and dogs, you play an active role in saving pet lives and improving your own pet’s quality of life, too!
HAVE YOU WELCOMED A NEW PUPPY OR KITTEN INTO YOUR HOME?
make an appointment to discuss their spay/neuter options!
Why You Should Spay and Neuter Your Pets
Spay and neuter surgery for dogs and cats significantly improves your pet’s quality of life and can even help them live a longer, healthier life! Here are some benefits of the surgery:
- Spayed and neutered dogs and cats are less likely to roam to find a mate. These escapes are not only inconvenient; they can put your pet in harm’s way such as traffic or encounters with wild animals.
- Neutered dogs and cats are less likely to practice urine spraying to mark their territory, and they’re less likely to engage in mounting behavior.
- Spayed cats and dogs will not go into heat, which is a messy and frustrating experience for both you and her. Additionally, she will not attract the unwanted attention of intact males.
- Neutered cats and dogs will not develop testicular cancer later in life and are less likely to have prostate problems.
- Spayed dogs and cats will not develop ovarian, cervical, or uterine cancers later in life and have a significantly reduced risk of developing mammary gland tumors, too. Additionally, your female pet will not be able to develop pyometra, a very serious uterine infection.
The Best Timing for Spay and Neuter Surgery
Typically, 6 months of age is a good time for a spay and neuter surgery, yet, sometimes we recommend earlier or later surgeries depending on your pet’s breed. Female cats and dogs have a significantly lower risk of developing mammary gland tumors if they are spayed before their first heat cycle, which can sometimes happen as early as 4 or 5 months of age. If your female kitten or puppy is healthy and at a good weight, we may recommend an earlier spay. Meanwhile, some large breed dogs benefit from a later surgery because their reproductive hormones play an important role in their growth rate. In these cases, we may wait to perform surgery until your pet is 12 months of age. Your veterinarian will work with you to determine the very best timing for surgery so your pet receives the most benefits!