Do I really need to spay or neuter my pet?
PET HEALTH: FEATURED ARTICLE
by Karina Salvo, DVM, MS

Today there are nearly 5 million pets euthanized in shelter settings annuallypet owners can drastically decrease this number by spaying and neutering their pets. In the practice of the best care of my patients and instilling overall preventative healthcare maintenance comes the question of spaying and neutering. Client questions include; Will my pet get fat? Will his/her attitude change?  Should she have a first litter? My male dog wont be a male' anymore. My answers range from; weight management in any pet is an overall concern, and health care should include proper diet and exercise at any age, if there is any change in attitude, it would be for the better, making your pet easier to train, less aggressive towards other animals and people and less likely to roam the neighborhood, having a first litter is of no benefit for your pet; if anything it will lead to frustrations in trying to find safe happy homes for perhaps five to ten puppies or kittens as well as potential complications during birth and finally.your male dog or cat will certainly remain a male. 

There are many health benefits for spaying and neutering your pet as well. These include decreasing the development of various cancers including ovarian, testicular, prostate and  breast cancer by almost 98%, preventing the chance of pyometra (infected uteruswhich can become a life threatening disease process) and developing life long aggressive and dominant behaviors. There are many more benefits that your veterinarian can further elaborate upon.

The animals in America's households today are part of the intricate family unit. Preventative healthcare is important for your pet as it is for each family member. Preventative healthcare includes nutritional guidance, vaccines, dental hygiene, exercise, flea, tick and heartworm prevention as well as spaying and neutering your pets. So, the question is answered....do we really need to spay/neuter our pets? YES!