One important part of caring for your pet is spaying or neutering it. Sterilizing your pet helps it behaviorally and medically. At Berkley Pet Hospital in North Hollywood, CA, our veterinarian can spay or neuter your pet. We will answer any questions you have about these procedures. Our veterinary team is well-trained in spaying and neutering pets.
What Are Neutering and Spaying?
Neutering and spaying are the surgical processes used in preventing pets from reproducing. In female pets, the procedure is spaying, which involves removing the ovaries and uterus. For males, neutering refers to the removal of testicles. These procedures are routine and require general anesthesia.
Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
Besides controlling unwanted pregnancies, neutering and spaying have many other behavioral and health benefits for your pet.
Minimizes Aggressiveness
Neutering minimizes aggressive traits in your pet. For instance, neutered dogs are calmer and are less likely to attack, bite, or get into fights.
In females, spaying ends your pet's heat cycle. Heat cycles in dogs can cause many unwanted character traits, such as aggression. When cats are in heat, they can howl tirelessly and escape to mate, running the risk of getting injured.
Reduce Chances of Reproductive Health Conditions
Research has proven that neutered and spayed pets tend to live longer. Sterilizing your pets eliminates any risk of reproductive cancers, including ovarian, uterine, and testicular cancer.
When Your Pet Should Be Spayed or Neutered
When to sterilize your pet depends on its breed and general health condition. However, we recommend neutering at the earliest of six months or at the first heat cycle for smaller breeds of dogs. Bigger breeds of dogs can be spayed when growth stops, usually between nine and 15 months. Generally, cats can be sterilized when as young as five months. Our veterinarian will guide you on when your pet needs to be spayed or neutered. We will also perform a physical exam before the surgery to ensure that your pet is healthy.
Visit Our Veterinarian in North Hollywood, CA for Spay and Neuter Services
In order to keep your pet healthy, avoid unwanted pregnancies, and eliminate certain behaviors, it needs to be spayed or neutered. At Berkley Pet Hospital in North Hollywood, CA, our veterinarian provides these services and will answer your questions. Call us today to schedule an appointment.