This is one of the most commonly asked questions that pet owners ask their veterinarians.

There can be a lot of advice that conflicts one another. Some of your friends may say 8 weeks, others may say to never do it, and others may recommend waiting at least a year.

If you are not planning on breeding your pets Patrick Mares-Ziehmn, DVM, veterinarian at AAHA-accredited Prescott Animal Hospital in Prescott, Ariz., says to spay female cats or dogs when they are to 4 to 6 months old which are before their first heat cycle.

There are medical benefits to doing it this way.

There is a .5% risk of developing mammary tumors, after the first heat cycle that number climbs to 8% and if you wait until after the second heat cycle that number then jumps to a 26% risk.

For dogs, you want to avoid the risk of developing Pyometra which is a life-threatening infection of the uterus. By 4 years old 15.2% of dogs will develop Pyometra and by 10 years old that risk increases to 23% – 24%.

Neutering a dog will basically eliminate prostate issues which can include infection and prostatic hyperplasia, an enlargement of the prostate that will create issues defecating.

“By age 6, 75–80 percent of unaltered male dogs will have benign prostatic hyperplasia, thanks to testosterone,” Mares-Ziehmn says. “By age 9, it’s 95–100 percent. If you neuter them, you take that [risk] off the table.”

Ideally, all animals will be spayed or neutered by 8 weeks of age; it is a simple enough procedure that can be performed on kittens and puppies so early.

With all the benefits of spaying and neutering, including population control, it is no wonder why there is so much support for spaying and neutering our furry loved ones.

At Powell Veterinary Service, we offer spaying and neutering as a service for your pet dogs or cats, especially when they are young. Learn more or schedule an appointment by calling 970-352-9164 today!

The post When Is The Right Time To Spay Or Neuter Your Pets? first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.

While neutering generally refers to the surgical castration of male pets, the term technically applies to both males and females. An ovariohysterectomy, commonly called spaying, is the removal of the uterus and ovaries in a female animal.

Having your pet neutered prevents unwanted pregnancy and the stress and burden that come along with a litter of puppies or kittens. Having an ovariohysterectomy performed on your female dog before her first heat cycle reduces the chances of mammary cancer by almost 100 percent. The number one cancer effecting adult female dogs, this preventative step can help your pooch to live a healthier and longer life. Also, Neutered males have a lower chance of developing prostate disease.

A recent study out of the University of California-Davis has shown that there are some negative effects to neutering as well. Performed on Golden Retreivers – one of the most popular U.S. dog breeds – this study showed an increase in hip dysplasia and lymphosarcoma among neutered males, as well as an increase in hemangiosarcoma among spayed females.

Studies like this one have begun to show that there are both risks and benefits associated with the spay-neuter process. This surgery change animals and weight gain is common. We recommend a caloric decrease of 25 percent to prevent obesity.

Discuss with your vet the best age to have your pet neutered if you decide this is the best option for you and your furry friend. If you are interested in having your puppy, kitten or adult pet spayed or neutered, contact Powell Veterinary Service online or by phone at 970-352-9164 to set up an appointment today. Located in Kersey, Colorado we happily serve surrounding areas including Brighton and Platteville.

The post Choosing to Spay or Neuter Your Pet first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.