Our Spay and Neuter Services in El Dorado Hills, CA

There are many health benefits associated with having a pet spayed or neutered and their quality of life will be greatly enhanced by having it done. But spay and neutering are also very important as a means of combating the serious pet overpopulation problem in America.

Millions of unwanted and abandoned animals wind up in shelters each year in the U.S., and the majority of them end up being euthanized. Shelters just don’t have the room or resources to take care of them all, and there aren’t enough homes willing to adopt them. The primary cause of animal overpopulation is unwanted pregnancies and litters, and spay and neuter services are the best way to reduce this problem.

There are a lot of great health benefits your pet will enjoy as a result of being spayed or neutered, both physical and psychological. Some are common to both females and males, while others are sex-specific. Spaying is the removal of the female’s uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, while neutering is the removal of the testicles of the male. When female pets are spayed, they will no longer go into heat or menstruate, and they’ll also stop the howling and crying behavior that they typically exhibit during their heat cycle.

They’ll also no longer be at risk for uterine cancer or pyometra, a serious uterine infection, and their risk of breast cancer is greatly reduced. Males who have been neutered are no longer at risk of testicular cancers and have a reduced risk of prostate problems. Clinical studies have shown that male cats that have been neutered live on average twice as long as those that haven’t been.

Spaying and neutering also help to stabilize the hormones that affect behavior. As a result, both males and females will be less aggressive, be less likely to get into fights or roam the neighborhood, and less prone to marking their territory by urinating around the house.

Both cats and dogs are normally spayed or neutered at about six months of age, though if they are healthy they can have it done when they are as young as eight or nine weeks old. In general, the younger they have it done the more benefit they’ll get, although older animals can have the procedure done also. When you bring your pet to your veterinarian in El Dorado Hills, they’ll advise you on how to prepare them for surgery. They may have further instructions, but you’ll need to have them fast for 12 hours before the operation, though giving them water is alright.

Your pet will receive anesthesia during the operation and their vital signs will be constantly monitored by a surgical technician. Afterward, they’ll spend some time in recovery, and then they can go home. You’ll receive full instructions on caring for them at home. In general, they’ll have to avoid exerting themselves, get plenty of rest, and stay indoors for a week or two.