Spaying or neutering pets is a sensitive subject for every pet owner. The decision to resort to this procedure, which is considered routine in veterinary circles, is a very difficult but extremely important one in many respects.

Many people hesitate and postpone this procedure either because they are afraid of anaesthesia, of any surgery in general, or because they do not feel able to deprive their animal of its natural right to reproduce. Not infrequently we have been asked why we recommend spaying or neutering pets and it is a perfectly normal question, which we hope to answer as comprehensively as possible in this article.

Before explaining the importance of these procedures, it is necessary to understand what they entail: sterilisation of females and castration of males.

Sterilisation/castration is the surgical act of removing the female/male sex organs, i.e. the ovaries (ovariectomy), uterus (ovariohysterectomy) or testicles (orhidectomy).

Both surgical procedures are performed while the animal is under analgesia and general anaesthesia. The age recommended by veterinarians for such a procedure depends on the species, breed (especially in puppies), sex and health of the animal concerned. Most veterinarians recommend that animals be spayed or neutered at an early age, around 6 months, but this can vary from 4 months to 1.5 years, depending on the individual case. The best time is determined by a veterinary surgeon's consultation, after which the doctor can recommend when the best time to spay/neuter would be.

It is more important to prevent than to treat, which is why it is recommended that females undergo spaying before the first heat cycle. Firstly because the operation itself has much less risk if performed on a young body, but also because, at a young age, operations are much quicker and have no long-term negative effects. In addition, the benefits associated with such operations are manifold in many ways:Benefits for your partner:

Benefits for your companion:

• It will live a longer and healthier life without causing changes in its behaviour;
• Spaying/neutering reduces or can eliminate a number of health problems that can be difficult and/or expensive to treat;
• Sterilisation significantly reduces the risk of mammary cancer, especially if the bitch/cat is sterilised before the first heat cycle, and also eliminates the possibility of medical problems such as pyometra, uterine or ovarian cancer, long and frequent heat periods, false or unwanted pregnancies, nervous lactation;
• Castrating males reduces the possibility of prostate disease and eliminates the development of testicular cancer;

Benefits you can enjoy:

• Prevent straying and the risk of losing your pet to male fighting or unwanted marking of territory by urinating;
• Your non-living friend will live a better and healthier life;
• It will be friendlier to both humans and other animals;
• By eliminating the bitches' heat cycle (which lasts an average of 14 days, twice a year), they will no longer "dirty" the furniture in the house, their nervous behaviour will disappear and they will no longer attract unwanted males to the neighbourhood;
• Animals that are not neutered have more behavioural and temperament problems than those that have been spayed or neutered;

Community benefits:

• Municipalities and the government spend large amounts of money to control unwanted dogs;
• Irresponsible mounts are the main cause of abandonment;
• Animal shelters across the country are overburdened and overcrowded with unwanted or abandoned dogs;
• Stray and homeless dogs end up in garbage cans, urinate and defecate on public or private property, and frighten or upset people who don't understand their suffering or needs;

The cost of such a procedure is relatively low when you consider all the advantages you and your partner will enjoy during your lifetime, without the worry of illness or unwanted pregnancies. Spaying/neutering of pets is the responsibility of each individual owner, and should be done with all of the above in mind.

Communication with us is the most important in the harmonious development of your beloved companion. We are at your disposal for any questions you may have on this subject by posting a message in the box below.