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From the Mirrabooka Veterinary Hospital
Sterilization of your pet has many
advantages. It removes the sexual urge to roam in search of a mate,
reduces the number of unwanted pregnancies and cuts down the total number
of stray and unwanted puppies and kittens. Sterilization tends to reduce
fighting, spraying and night prowling so common to the male cat.
In sterilized females, infections of the
uterus cannot occur and there is less chance of breast cancer developing.
What is sterilization ?
Sterilization of the female involves an
ovariohysterectomy. This is the
proper medical term for "speying" or "neutering" the
female animal and consists of complete removal of both ovaries and the
uterus. Although it is a common procedure, ovariohysterectomy is abdominal
surgery involving a general anesthetic and sterile operating technique.
Sterilization of the male involves
removal of the male sex glands, the testicles.
This operation is performed under
general anesthetic and the testicles are removed through incisions in the
scrotum using sterile operating technique.
When should my pet be sterilized ?
Consult your vet about the best time for
this operation. Usually it is best to operate at about 5 - 6 months of age
in kittens and puppies but a pet is never too old to be sterilized.
Will it make my pet fat and lazy?
Not necessarily. The amount of exercise,
the diet and inheritance factors of your pet have much more influence on
the weight of your pet.
Will it change my pet's personality ?
Only for the better. Sterilized animals
still make good guard dogs as well.
Shouldn't my pet have a litter first?
No. It makes no difference whether your
pet has a litter first. Some parents feel children should see a litter
born as part of a learning experience. It is beneficial for children to see young animals born
and watch them develop, but if the litter ends up in the animal pound,
children may be more impressed by the low value adults sometimes place on
life.
Don't Just ask anyone
about sterilization - ask your vet
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