When you get a new pet, there are many reasons to look for good vet care in Winter Garden in order to ensure that he or she will always get the best treatment possible. One of the strongest suggestions you might hear from your veterinarian is to have your pet spayed or neutered. While most people know that these are the words commonly used to describe the service of sterilization surgery, many still have questions regarding exactly what else being spayed or neutered will do to, or for their pet. At Winter Garden Animal Hospital, we provide these and many other services for our patients in Winter Garden as well as nearby areas including, Monteverde, Apopka, and Ocoee, Florida. These are some of the more common questions we get about this surgery.

Will Being Spayed or Neutered “Change” My Pet’s Personality

At Winter Garden Animal Hospital we understand that your pet is a member of your family, and the last thing you want is to feel like you are taking home a different animal after surgery. While there are some behaviors, such as barking, howling, being destructive, and trying to escape that may decrease once your pet has been spayed or neutered, their fundamental personality and their devotion to you and your family will not change.

Will Having Spay or Neuter Surgery Hurt my Pet?

With any surgery, there is some chance of postoperative discomfort, but we address this possibility head on. Both operations are done while your pet is anesthetized, so they will not feel anything during the procedure. Afterwards, there may be slight soreness, and we can give your pet something safe to take home with them for the pain, if necessary.

Is My Pet “Missing” Something By Not Being Allowed To Breed?

There are many people who think their male cat or dog will feel less “masculine” if they are neutered or that their female pet should be allowed to experience motherhood at least once, but there is no evidence or any overwhelming void in a pet’s life that stems from not becoming a parent. Adding extra puppies and/or kittens to the pet population does result in an increase in the pet population, which means more healthy pets are either homeless or are euthanized unnecessarily. If one day you feel you and your pet could use another furry companion, there are always young pets available to adopt.

What happens With Spay or Neuter Surgery?

When a female pet is spayed, she is getting an ovariohysterectomy. Spaying removes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus which will leave her unable to reproduce, and will prevent any further heat cycles. It may also bring other health benefits as well, including a decreased risk of some cancers.

Neutering leaves a male pet sterile and is usually a full castration which may also stop or slow breeding behaviors, including humping.

Is My Pet the Right Age to Spay or Neuter?

Pets can be spayed or neutered from a very young age, and there are extra health benefits for a pet who is being spayed before she experiences her first heat cycle. Older pets sometimes need additional testing before spaying or neutering can happen. At Winter Garden Animal Hospital, we will gladly discuss any special concerns you have about spaying and neutering to make sure you and your pet have what you need to prepare for the surgery and recover.

Call Us Today To Learn More!

To learn more about your options with spay and neuter surgery for your pet in Winter Garden, Monteverde, Apopka, or Ocoee contact us at (407) 656-4132 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting with you!