Neutering or spaying your pet is an incredibly common surgery performed by our White House Animal Hospital team. These procedures help to control the unwanted animal population in the community and offer a wide variety of health benefits to your dog or cat.  

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What is spaying and neutering?

Both spaying and neutering refer to the surgical sterilization of an animal while under general anesthesia. 

Spaying is this surgical procedure when it is conducted on females. This is also called an ovariohysterectomy, or the removal of all of a female pet's reproductive organs. 

Neutering, or orchiectomy, removes the testicles from male pets and is considered a simpler surgery than a spay. The term 'neutering' can also, in some cases, refer to the desexing or 'fixing' of either gender.

Spaying & Neutering, White House Veterinarians

Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Cats

There are 6 key benefits of spaying or neutering your cat:

  1. It curbs naughty behaviors, like spraying to mark territory.
  2. It may decrease the risk of mammary (breast) cancer.
  3. It decreases the risk of uterine infection in female cats.
  4. Your cat may become more affectionate.
  5. Neutered cats are less likely to stray from home.
  6. It reduces the risk of your cat contracting certain diseases.

Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Dogs

There are 5 key benefits of spaying or neutering your dog:

  1. It stabilizes the mood of the dog.
  2. It can reduce sexualized behaviors.
  3. It reduces the risk of prostate and other cancers.
  4. It reduces the mating urge.
  5. It reduces marking and spraying issues.

Spaying & Neutering, White House Veterinarians

Spaying & Neutering FAQs

  • Why should I get my cat spayed or neutered?

    Population Control

    According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, about 3.2 million cats enter American animal shelters every year.

    The absolute best way for you to help reduce the number of unwanted cats in White House area shelters is by spaying or neutering your feline friend.

    Protect Wildlife

    It's commonly believed that cats kill between 1.5 and 3.5 billion birds every year in the United States. By helping to curb the number of homeless cats, you also help to save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife.

    Cat Neutering Benefits

    Male cat neutering can help to curb many undesirable cat behaviors such as spraying indoors and around your house to mark territory, roaming, howling, and fighting with other undoctored male cats. Reducing your cat's temptation to fight may also reduce their risk of injury, and of contracting Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV).

    Cat Spaying Benefits

    Female cat spaying before the first heat cycle can help to reduce your cat's risk of developing pyometra (infection of the womb) and mammary tumors. It's also important to note that female cats carrying infectious diseases can pass serious conditions on to their kittens, who may then go on to spread the disease even further. The pregnancy and the birth process can be risky for young cats, and costly to their owners. 

  • Why should I get my dog spayed or neutered?

    Population Control

    According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year across the USA.

    Neutering or spaying your dog is the best way for you to help to reduce the overall number of unplanned puppies born in our country each year, while improving your pet's behavior and reducing their risk of developing some serious health conditions.

    Dog Spaying Benefits

    Female dog spaying can help to prevent serious health problems such as pyometra, (a potentially life-threatening uterine infection), and mammary cancer.

    Dog Neutering Benefits

    Neutering male dogs helps to prevent your pet from developing testicular cancers, while also reducing unwanted behaviors like dog aggression, humping and straying.

  • When should I have my pet spayed? What age?

    Pet owners should consult with their veterinarian to determine the best age to spay or neuter their cat or dog. Some research indicates there may be long-term health benefits to spaying or neutering dogs after they have passed through puberty. 

    Many veterinarians advise that female pets be spayed before their first heat. This can occur as early as at 5-months-old. However, increasing evidence suggests that this may be too young and doesn't allow your pet to grow and mature properly.

  • What should I know about the recovery process for my pet?

    Spaying

    After spay surgery, some clinics will want to keep your cat or dog overnight, while others will let her go home on the same day. The rule of thumb is generally 7-10 days of restricted activity.  

    Neutering 

    If there are no complications or other health issues, your dog or cat can usually go home on the same day of the procedure, with activity restricted for a few days while the incision heals.

    For both procedures, we may send your pet home with a protective collar to keep it from licking the incision.

    We typically book a follow-up visit to check on how well your pet has healed and to remove the stitches.

  • Will my pet feel anything during the procedure?

    Absolutely not, your pet will be placed under general anesthesia and won't feel anything during their procedure. 

  • Will my pet gain weight after the procedure?

    Your puppy or kitten will continue to grow to their full adult weight after the spay or neuter procedure, and this naturally includes some weight gain.

    However, your pet will not gain weight as a result of being spayed or neutered.

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