Spaying and Neutering for Pets

At Orillia Pet Hospital, we're prepared to thoroughly discuss the benefits and drawbacks of spay and neuter surgery for the breed and size of your loyal companion. We'll also talk about the best time to have your cat or dog undergo the procedure. Spay surgery is performed on female cats and dogs while neutering is done on both male canine and feline companions.

What are the medical and behavioural benefits of spay and neuter surgery?

Spay or neuter surgery can have several medical and behavioral benefits for your cat or dog. By having them spayed or neutered, you will be helping combat animal homelessness.  Cats and dogs can have many litters throughout their lifetime. They are also more likely to roam neighborhoods looking for a mate when they're sexually mature. The benefits of spay and neuter surgery include:

• The incidence of mammary gland tumors is reduced in females, which are oftentimes malignant.
• Urine spraying and marking behavior is reduced or eliminated in males and females.
• The incidence of ovarian and uterine cancer is reduced in females.
• The chances of developing testicular cancer are eliminated in males.
• The incidence of prostate disease is reduced in males.
• Mounting behavior is reduced or eliminated in males.

When should I have my cat or dog spayed or neutered?

The best time to have your cat or dog spayed or neutered can vary from one pet to the next. During your loyal companion's wellness examination, we can discuss the optimal time for the surgery. The time we decide on is dependent on the type of pet you have, but also their size, breed, and lifestyle. For dogs, the traditional age for spay or neuter surgery is six to nine months old. Cats may benefit from being spayed or neutered before they're sexually mature, which can be as young as five months old. After the surgery is complete, we'll send you home with the appropriate medication for your pet and give you detailed after-care instruction. To schedule spay or neuter surgery for your loyal companion, please call us at 705-325-4224.