Sterilization



Why Sterilize? ASPCA    

This low-cost operation remains healthy and will help combat overcrowding.

A Good Remedy
Did you know that a spayed or neutered animal will live a longer and healthier?Female sterilization (removal of ovaries and uterus) and male sterilization (castration, extirpation of the testicles) are veterinary surgeries performed under general anesthesia. Usually both require minimal hospitalization. The FSV and the ASPCA strongly recommend spaying / neutering your pet as early as possible. Aside from preventing unwanted offspring, a male sterilized before six months of age prevents testicular cancer and prostate disease. Spaying a female prevents pyometra (puss in the uterus and breast cancer. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous fluids, antibiotics and spaying. Breast Cancer is fatal in 50% of dogs and 90%of cats . In the case of an older, seriously ill animal, anesthesia and surgery are complex and expensive. The surgery offers greater protection from these diseases if performed before the female comes into heat.

Tranquility
Did you know that a spayed or neutered animal will have better performance? Males: neutered pets are focusing their attention on their human families. By contrast, males that are not sterile or monitored wander in search of females, at risk of being hit by a car or being injured in fights with other males. They mark their territory by spraying strong urine odors on any surface. At home, the dogs may embarrass you by mounting on furniture and people's legs when stimulated.

Do not confuse aggressiveness with protection; a neutered dog protects his home and family as would a dog that is not sterile, and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering. Females: While their cycles vary greatly, most female cats exhibit the following signs when in heat. For four to five days every three weeks during the breeding season, meow and urinate more frequently - sometimes all over the house - advertised to attract males. Bitches usually shed blood for a week and can become pregnant until a week later. Very often attract males who are not sterilized, some from long distances-spraying urine around the female lives.

Responsible Care
Join the fight against pet overpopulation. Millions of cats and dogs of all ages are euthanized annually or suffer homelessness on the streets. Most of them, as a result of poor planning or unwanted offspring that could have been prevented by sterilization. Stray animals live for only a few years and have very painful deaths from starvation, disease, freezing or being hit by cars. Get the facts, please.

Demolishing the dangerous myths about sterilization
MYTH: My cat or dog should have puppies or kittens before being spayed.
REALITY: The sooner we sterilize females, the better her health in the future. As long as your kitten or puppy weighs more than two pounds and is two months old, it can be sterilized. Many veterinarians are sponsoring safe early sterilization. The possibility of developing tumors or uterine infections increases while the female is not spayed. In fact, the female that has been spayed before reaching sexual maturity (six to nine months of age) has one seventh the risk of an intact animal to develop breast cancer.

MYTH: Sterilization can alter my pet's personality.
REALITY: No matter the age at which the animal has been sterilized, this will be a loving companion and protector. Any small change will be a positive change. Neutering will reduce the need to reproduce and has a calming effect on many animals. Both neutered male canines and felines tend to stop roaming and fighting, and lose the desire to mark their territory with urine.

MYTH: Pets become fat and lazy if they are sterilized.
REALITY: Completely false! Lack of exercise and overfeeding make pets fat and lazy, not sterilization. Your pet will not gain weight if you provide exercise and monitor food intake. Also, sterilized pets tend to live an average of two to three years longer than an animal that is not sterilized.

MYTH: Sterilization is dangerous and painful for my pet.
REALITY: Sterilization is the most common operation performed on animals. With only minimal home care, your pet will resume normal behavior in a couple of days.

MYTH: Let my pets have babies so my children can witness the miracle of birth.
REALITY: Countless books and videos are at your disposal to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner. Letting your pet have babies that you do not intend to care for will teach your children to become irresponsibile. Everyone who has seen an animal be exterminated in an animal shelter for lack of a home knows the truth that lies behind this dangerous myth.