WHY WE SPAY AND NEUTER
The Reality of Overpopulation
~Millions of dogs & cats are
euthanized in shelters yearly
~25% of dogs in shelters are
purebreds
~Average number of litters a
fertile cat can produce yearly: 3
~Average number of kittens per
litter: 4-6
~In seven years, one female cat
and her offspring can
theoretically produce 420,000
cats.
~Average number of litters a
fertile dog can produce yearly: 2
~Average number of puppies per
litter: 6-10
~In six years, one female dog and
her offspring can theoretically
produce 67,000 dogs.
~Millions of dogs & cats are
euthanized in shelters yearly
~25% of dogs in shelters are
purebreds
~Average number of litters a
fertile cat can produce yearly: 3
~Average number of kittens per
litter: 4-6
~In seven years, one female cat
and her offspring can
theoretically produce 420,000
cats.
~Average number of litters a
fertile dog can produce yearly: 2
~Average number of puppies per
litter: 6-10
~In six years, one female dog and
her offspring can theoretically
produce 67,000 dogs.
Every year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens,
are needlessly destroyed due to over population. The good news is that every pet
owner can make a difference. By having your dog or cat spayed or neutered, you
will do your part to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens and you
will enhance your pet's health and quality of life.
Contrary to what some people believe, getting pregnant — even once — does not improve
the behavior of female dogs and cats. In fact, the mating instinct may lead to undesirable
behaviors and result in undue stress on both the owner and the animal. Also, while some
pet-owners may have good intentions, few are prepared for the work involved in monitoring
their pet's pregnancy, caring for the newborns and locating good homes for all the
offspring.
During sterilization, a veterinarian removes certain reproductive organs.
If your cat or dog is a female, the veterinarian will usually remove her ovaries,
fallopian tubes, and uterus. The medical name for this operation is an ovariohysterectomy,
although it is commonly called "spaying."
If your pet is a male, the testicles are removed and the operation is called an
orchiectomy, commonly referred to as castration or simply "neutering."
While both spaying and neutering are major surgical procedures, they are also
the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians on cats and dogs. Before
the operation, your pet will be given a thorough physical examination to ensure that your
pet is in good health. Do not feed or give water to your pet the morning of
surgery. Take their food and water away the night before at bedtime. General
anesthesia will be administered before the surgery making the procedure non-painful. You
will be asked to keep your pet calm and quiet for a few days afterwards until the incision
begins to heal.
Both operations lead to improved long-term health, prevent unwanted litters,
and eliminate many behavior problems associated with the mating instinct such
as roaming and urine spraying.
Female dogs experience a "heat" cycle approximately every six months, depending upon the
breed. A female dog's heat cycle can last as long as 21 days, during which your
dog will leave blood stains in the house and may become anxious, short-tempered and
bring a yard full of "gentlemen callers".
Female cats can come into heat every two weeks during breeding season until
they become pregnant. During this time they may engage in behaviors such as frequent
yowling and urination in unacceptable places.
Both female dogs and cats benefit from spaying, which eliminates their heat cycles and
generally reduces the negative behaviors that may lead to owner frustration and,
ultimately, a decision to relinquish the pet to a shelter. Most importantly, early
spaying of female dogs and cats helps protect them from serious health
problems later in life such as uterine infections and breast cancer.
At maturity (on average, 6-9 months of age), male dogs and cats are capable of
breeding. Both male dogs and cats are likely to begin "marking" their territories by
spraying strong-smelling urine on your furniture, curtains, and in virtually any part of the
house. Also, given the slightest chance, males may attempt to escape from home in search
of a mate. Male dogs seeking a female in heat can become aggressive and may
injure themselves or people by engaging in fights, and are more likely to be hit
by a car.
Neutering male dogs and cats reduces the need to breed and can have a calming effect that
makes them less inclined to roam and more content to stay at home. Neutering your male
pet also improves his health by reducing the risk of prostate disease,
testicular cancer and infections.
A dog or cat can be surgically altered at almost any age. Your veterinarian can advise you
on the most appropriate time for your particular pet based upon its breed, age and
physical condition.
The procedure has no effect on a pet's intelligence or ability to learn, play,
protect, work or hunt. Most pets tend to be better behaved following the operation,
making them more desirable companions. Contrary to popular belief, the surgery will not
make your pet fat or lazy. A balanced diet and exercise will keep your pet from
experiencing the health risks associated with obesity. Ask your veterinarian to advise you
on the best diet and exercise plan for your pet for each stage of its life.
This is a one-time expense that can dramatically improve your pet's quality of
life. If you are still uncertain whether or not to proceed with the surgery, consider the
expense to society having to deal with and provide care for all the unwanted, abused, or
abandoned animals living on the streets — most suffering from parasites and disease, with
little chance of finding permanent homes or sufficient food sources.
Having your pet spayed or neutered is a part of responsible pet ownership and
an important investment in your pet's long-term good health.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these or other health issues
please feel free to contact us at NosaraAnimalCare@gmail.com
are needlessly destroyed due to over population. The good news is that every pet
owner can make a difference. By having your dog or cat spayed or neutered, you
will do your part to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens and you
will enhance your pet's health and quality of life.
Contrary to what some people believe, getting pregnant — even once — does not improve
the behavior of female dogs and cats. In fact, the mating instinct may lead to undesirable
behaviors and result in undue stress on both the owner and the animal. Also, while some
pet-owners may have good intentions, few are prepared for the work involved in monitoring
their pet's pregnancy, caring for the newborns and locating good homes for all the
offspring.
During sterilization, a veterinarian removes certain reproductive organs.
If your cat or dog is a female, the veterinarian will usually remove her ovaries,
fallopian tubes, and uterus. The medical name for this operation is an ovariohysterectomy,
although it is commonly called "spaying."
If your pet is a male, the testicles are removed and the operation is called an
orchiectomy, commonly referred to as castration or simply "neutering."
While both spaying and neutering are major surgical procedures, they are also
the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians on cats and dogs. Before
the operation, your pet will be given a thorough physical examination to ensure that your
pet is in good health. Do not feed or give water to your pet the morning of
surgery. Take their food and water away the night before at bedtime. General
anesthesia will be administered before the surgery making the procedure non-painful. You
will be asked to keep your pet calm and quiet for a few days afterwards until the incision
begins to heal.
Both operations lead to improved long-term health, prevent unwanted litters,
and eliminate many behavior problems associated with the mating instinct such
as roaming and urine spraying.
Female dogs experience a "heat" cycle approximately every six months, depending upon the
breed. A female dog's heat cycle can last as long as 21 days, during which your
dog will leave blood stains in the house and may become anxious, short-tempered and
bring a yard full of "gentlemen callers".
Female cats can come into heat every two weeks during breeding season until
they become pregnant. During this time they may engage in behaviors such as frequent
yowling and urination in unacceptable places.
Both female dogs and cats benefit from spaying, which eliminates their heat cycles and
generally reduces the negative behaviors that may lead to owner frustration and,
ultimately, a decision to relinquish the pet to a shelter. Most importantly, early
spaying of female dogs and cats helps protect them from serious health
problems later in life such as uterine infections and breast cancer.
At maturity (on average, 6-9 months of age), male dogs and cats are capable of
breeding. Both male dogs and cats are likely to begin "marking" their territories by
spraying strong-smelling urine on your furniture, curtains, and in virtually any part of the
house. Also, given the slightest chance, males may attempt to escape from home in search
of a mate. Male dogs seeking a female in heat can become aggressive and may
injure themselves or people by engaging in fights, and are more likely to be hit
by a car.
Neutering male dogs and cats reduces the need to breed and can have a calming effect that
makes them less inclined to roam and more content to stay at home. Neutering your male
pet also improves his health by reducing the risk of prostate disease,
testicular cancer and infections.
A dog or cat can be surgically altered at almost any age. Your veterinarian can advise you
on the most appropriate time for your particular pet based upon its breed, age and
physical condition.
The procedure has no effect on a pet's intelligence or ability to learn, play,
protect, work or hunt. Most pets tend to be better behaved following the operation,
making them more desirable companions. Contrary to popular belief, the surgery will not
make your pet fat or lazy. A balanced diet and exercise will keep your pet from
experiencing the health risks associated with obesity. Ask your veterinarian to advise you
on the best diet and exercise plan for your pet for each stage of its life.
This is a one-time expense that can dramatically improve your pet's quality of
life. If you are still uncertain whether or not to proceed with the surgery, consider the
expense to society having to deal with and provide care for all the unwanted, abused, or
abandoned animals living on the streets — most suffering from parasites and disease, with
little chance of finding permanent homes or sufficient food sources.
Having your pet spayed or neutered is a part of responsible pet ownership and
an important investment in your pet's long-term good health.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these or other health issues
please feel free to contact us at NosaraAnimalCare@gmail.com
NOSARA ANIMAL CARE COSTA RICA
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