Benefits Of Spaying And Neutering
There are numerous health-related reasons to spay or neuter your dog or cat.
Spay surgery can significantly decrease the risk of mammary cancer and uterine cancerwhich are malignant in 50% of dogs and 90% of catsand eliminates the risk of mastitis from nursing. There is a reduction in the risk of mammary tumors compared with un-spayed dogs. Spaying also eliminates the risk of pregnancy complications like spotting, false pregnancy and pyometraan infection in the uterus that requires emergency intervention. You can further reduce the chance of your female pets contracting these diseases by taking them to Petco to be spayed before their first heat cycle.
There are a few vital reasons for neutering your dog or cat. Neutered males are at a reduced risk of prostate problems and have no chance of testicular cancer. Neutered cats generally live twice as long as intact cats. Neutering can also reduce aggressive behavior that would otherwise result in fights and injuries and sexual behavior that can result in sexually transmitted diseases.
Spay surgery from Petco can eliminate heat cycle-related issues in cats like howling and scratching, as well as messy stains and protective aggression over their litter from both cats and dogs.
Help Fight Pet Overpopulation
Did you know that millions of healthy cats are euthanized in the U.S. each year because there aren’t enough homes available? Spaying and neutering can help control the pet overpopulation crisis and reduces the number of strays, which end up in shelters instead of loving homes. Unfortunately, many end up homeless and are left to fend for themselves.
Reasons To Spay Or Neuter Your Cat
Spaying or neutering is one of the greatest gifts you can provide your pet and your family. These routine medical procedures not only help control pet overpopulation, but they may also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing, allowing your cat to lead a longer, healthier and happier life.
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What Happens After The Surgery
Some people worry that their cats personality will change. This isnt true but you might see a fall in certain behaviour roaming, mounting, fighting or spraying urine.
People also worry that their pet will get fat. Neutered animals might have slightly lower food requirements so you just need to feed them a little less.
Page last updated 22/03/2021
How To Find Free Spay/neuter Programs
Free spay/neuter programs tend to be run by local government agencies. Look for these programs at the state, county and local levels.
Because spay/neuter programs are so hyperlocal, theyre as varied as kaleidoscopes. Some programs will come along with income requirements. Some wont. In some states, the spay/neuter services in and of themselves will be free, but youll still owe some type of fee to the vet or animal shelter in administrative fees. In others, youll walk away without spending a penny to spay or neuter your pet.
The following list is a variety of programs though not an exhaustive list. Search your own state, county and local services to find what is offered close to you. You might be surprised at whats available to you.
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Spay And Neuter Clinic
COVID-19 Update
During the on-going state of emergency in Ontario, the City of Ottawa Spay/Neuter Clinic will be open for surgeries, but with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. We want to ensure we can deliver the service safely for everyone. As well, given the higher than normal demand for service, it may take us longer to respond to requests, book appointments and perform surgeries.
For clients calling the Clinic and leaving a voicemail message, please note that all messages are being recorded and will be followed-up, so it will be unnecessary to call more than once.
If you have already submitted a request for surgery by phone or through the on-line surgery request form, you will be contacted in the order that requests were received. It may take us 6-8 weeks to contact you, but you will hear from us. Please also note that it may take up to 3-5 months before cat surgeries will be performed and it may take up to 6 months before dog surgeries will be performed. These timelines are subject to change depending on request volumes.
We will inform you of any other protocols or requirements when your pets surgery is scheduled.
Thank you for your assistance, patience and support as we endeavour to serve our clients as quickly as possible.
The City of Ottawa Spay/Neuter Clinic is a scent-free building, please refrain from wearing scented products in our workplace.
Will My Cats Personality Change After Being Fixed
Other than the previously mentioned behavior changes, spaying or neutering your cat is unlikely to change his or her basic personality, though male cats may become more docile following neutering. Cats playfulness and general levels of activity, excitement, and vocalization do not typically change following spay/neuter surgery.
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What Is Cat Neutering
Cat neutering refers to the castration, or the removal of the testicles of a male cat so that he cannot impregnate a female cat. Only a veterinary surgeon can properly and safely perform cat neutering surgery.
Cat neutering surgery includes the following procedures:
- Multimodal analgesic and anti-anxiety medications
- Your veterinarian will use general anesthesia for the procedure to avoid any discomfort felt by the cat
- The attending veterinary team monitors his breathing and heart rate oxygen levels, blood pressure, plane of anesthesia, and overall health during the anesthetic procedure
- The surgeon makes a small incision in the front of the scrotum
- Each testicle is removed and the blood supply and vas deferens are tied off
- The veterinarian closes the incision
Your veterinarian will provide postoperative instructions for you to follow.
Although cat neutering could result in some discomfort right after surgery, your veterinarian will take multiple and various steps for pain relief. Additional steps taken at home will facilitate a safe and comfortable recovery including:
Free Spay And Neuter Services For Dogs And Cats
2020 was quite a year. Mostly marked in terrible ways as the pandemic created a global health crisis and changed the ways we live.
But there was at least one silver lining: Americans adopted or fostered shelter animals in record numbers. Because so many people worked from home they felt they had the time to devote to a new pet or to caring for an animal temporarily.
Adopting a new pet especially a shelter animal is a caring decision. Its also a financial decision because the cost of initial medical services for a dog or cat can add up quickly.
One of the most expensive initial procedures your pet will need is getting either spayed or neutered. Luckily, money doesnt always have to be a huge obstacle when it comes to getting that early veterinary care. If you know where to look, there are a myriad of free or low-cost spay/neuter programs across the country.
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Spaying And Neutering: The Bottom Line
Spaying and neutering can help keep your cat healthier and safer and you dont end up with more kittens than you can count. To be on the safe side, get your cat spayed or neutered before theyre six months old. If youre wondering when to spay a cat or when to neuter a cat, speak to your local veterinarian.
Get Your Pet Ready For Their Appointment
Cats
- Pick-up time confirmed day of surgery
- Cats must be in a hard carrier.
Dogs
- Pick-up time confirmed day of surgery
- Dogs should be on a short leash.
- Animals should not eat after midnight the day before surgery. They may have water.
- Payment is due at time of pick-up.
- We use dissolvable sutures , so a follow-up visit for suture removal is NOT necessary, unless otherwise noted by the veterinarian.
- Your pet will need to avoid running, jumping, or other activities that could open the incision site for 14-21 days after surgery. Prepare an area for your pet to be comfortable yet confined.
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Recommended Ages For Spaying Your Dog:
Dogs under 45 pounds:
Many veterinarians will advise that you spay your dog before her first heat cycle, which can be anywhere between 5 and 10 months. The reason that your veterinarian advises that your female dog be spayed before their first cycle is to reduce their risk of developing mammary cancer, Dr. Ochoa told The Dodo. By spaying your dog early, you will decrease your chance of mammary cancer by about 90 percent.
Dogs over 50 pounds: Once growth stops
Some vets will advise that you wait until your larger dog is 5 to 15 months old before spaying her. Waiting until after their first heat cycle but before their second will still have a decrease in the risk of mammary cancer and will also decrease the risk of cancer, bone, ligament and joint problems, Dr. Ochoa said. It may also decrease the risk of urinary incontinence. All of these are common problems seen in larger breed dogs.
Do Cats Need To Wear A Cone After Being Spayed
Yes, your cat must wear a cone after spay. This is because your cat’s first instinct would be to lick around the incision and remove any debris. … If your cat licks the area around the incision then infections may arise in your cat’s body. Your cat should not be able to clean the area for at least ten days.
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Information And Services To Spay And Neuter Cats
Since 1993, the dedicated and compassionate veterinary team at Indian Trail Animal Hospital have safely and successfully performed spay and neuter procedures on thousands of male and female cats of all breeds and ages. We have also helped educate cat owners throughout NC about spay and neuter procedures. These include when to spay or neuter a cat, what to expect during and after surgery, and why cat spaying and cat neutering is essential to helping control the pet population problem in the state of NC.
We strongly believe that responsible cat ownership is synonymous with spay and neuter procedures. Therefore we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions here to help you learn more about this important service.
How Can The Clinic Keep Prices So Low
Dakin Humane Society is a non-profit organization, and we work hard at raising donations and applying for grants to help subsidize the true, higher cost of spay and neuter procedures. Since we offer only spay or neuter surgeries and limited vaccines, our surgical process is streamlined and efficient. Also, we do not need to carry other equipment, medicines or staffing that a full-service veterinary clinic would require.
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Are There Any Disqualifications For Free To Low Cost Spay Or Neuter Of My Pets
Yes, the following factors disqualify your pet from free to low cost spay/neutering services:
- Pet owners under 18 years of age
- Any pet weighing less than 3 pounds
- Pets over 8 years of age
- Aggressive animals
- Over weight pets
- High Anesthesia Risk Pets ie: Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian Cats
- Any animal assessed by the participating veterinarian as a surgical risk
Other issues:
- For information about sterilizing the unowned street cats in your neighborhood, contact Street Cat Hub, 247-9357. The group is well versed in where to get traps, how to use them, where to take the cats for sterilization and what to do afterward.
What Are The Health Effects Of Spaying Or Neutering A Cat
Of course, while spaying or neutering procedures are routine and considered safe, risk cannot be totally eliminated from every surgical or medical procedure. For example, cats who have been spayed or neutered do tend to gain weight if their diets are not adjusted accordingly. Neutered male cats are also at increased risk for developing urinary blockages.
The benefits of neutering or spaying almost always outweigh the risks. However, you should always ask your vet which choices are best for your pet.
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Do I Qualify For Free Spay And Neuter Services
Heres the thing about being a pet parent: It can get expensive fast.
Luckily, there are plenty of free spay/neuter programs across the country. Some programs will qualify you based on where you live. Others will have an added income requirement. Whether or not you qualify for free spay and neuter services depends on the individual program.
If you dont qualify for a free program, youre likely to be able to find discount spay/neuter services in your area
How To Take Care Of Your Pets Post
Following neuter or spay surgery at Petco, your pet will need time to recover. This helps them avoid complications that can require further treatment. Here are some tips to help your cat or dog through their recovery period:
- Make sure your cat or dog refrains from strenuous activityincluding running and jumping for at least two weeks or for as long as instructed by your veterinarian.
- Find your pet a quiet place indoors to rest, free of other animals that can cause distractions or excitement.
- Avoid bathing your pet for at least 10 days following the operation.
- Check the incision and stitches daily to ensure that the incision is healing and not infected.
- Prevent your cat or dog from licking the incision, as this can cause infection. You veterinarian may recommend using a recovery cone.
- Follow any instructions on administering medication or other at-home care from your veterinarian.
If you see any redness, swelling, discharge, popped stitches or an open wound, or notice any lethargy, decreased appetite or diarrhea, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
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What Age Should You Spay Or Neuter Your Cat
Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the cornerstones of pet ownership in the United States. ASPCA statistics place the U.S. pet cat population at anywhere between 74 and 96 million and there may be as many as 70 million strays fending for themselves. Unfortunately, the ASPCA also estimates that 41 percent of cats who enter shelters cannot find a home and end up being euthanized. Breeders, shelters and rescue groups team up with vets and their staff to stem the tide of cat overpopulation but its bound to be a continuing battle for the foreseeable future.
If you find yourself with a new kitten in your household, spaying or neutering is something youll need to be thinking about soon. But at what age is it appropriate to spay or neuter a cat? More importantly, why should you consider having the procedure done at all?
Can My Cat Jump On The Bed After Being Spayed
You shouldn’t allow him to climb stairs, run, jump, or even play during the first-week post-operation. Letting the newly neutered/spayed cats move too much can slow down the cut’s healing process. To be on the safe side, it’s important to keep your cat inside a small room, in a crate or inside a carrier.
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Your Cat Will Be Better Behaved
Spayed or neutered cats are better behaved. They will be less likely to roam, yowl, wail, bite, display aggressive behavior, or spray or mark their territory. Intact males will do just about anything they can to find mates, including escaping from your home, which puts them at risk of injury or fights with other males. Roaming can also expose your cat to dangerous diseases, including feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. Spaying or neutering can help improve your cat’s mood. Unaltered pets become stressed when in heat, which can last several months out of the year. Spaying or neutering will help relieve stress and will leave you with a content pet. You’ll help curb undesirable behaviors without interfering with your furry companion’s unique personality.
Top Reasons To Spay Or Neuter Your Cat
Whether you’re planning to adopt a cat or if you’ve already welcomed your furry companion into your home, make sure your new companion is spayed or neutered. Adopting cats through one of our local shelters is one way to guarantee that they are spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering provide medical and behavioral benefits to your feline companion and help control the pet overpopulation crisis. This can be the single best decision you make for your cat’s long-term welfare.
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What Would Prove Low
- Award letter for an EBT card issued by the State of New Mexico for Food Stamps, OR
- Either the annual letter regarding benefits or the monthly benefit card for Supplemental Security Income , OR
- Award letter for an EBT card issued by the State of New Mexico for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, OR
- Award letter for a Medicaid health benefit card, OR
- Current income taxes
- Current check stubs
- Signing and submitting an affidavit swearing that your income is within the figures listed on the table above for Low Income
North Shore Animal League America
North Shore Animal League America runs a nationwide referral service for low-cost spay/neuter services called SpayUSA. For most of the listings, you need to obtain a referral from SpayUSA by entering basic household information. Some of these low-cost spay/neuter programs are only available to low-income households on programs like Medicaid, SNAP and Social Security.
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What Do I Need To Bring With Me At The Time Of My Scheduled Voucher Appointment
- Driver’s license or official ID card
- Proof of low-income or moderate-income status, unless you sign and submit an affidavit swearing that your income is within the figures listed on the table above for low income or moderate income.
- Proof of vaccines within the past year if you do not want your pet revaccinated. Proof is a rabies certificate, not a pet health record.
- An alternate contact number for the microchip registration: someone who has a different phone number than yours. If your pet is already microchipped, please tell us.