The importance of spaying/neutering pets

Over time, much has been written about the spaying/neutering of pets, primarily the spaying/neutering of dogs and cats. Dozens of NGOs are fighting for this, facilitating the sterilization/neutering of pets, carrying out all kinds of public awareness campaigns to make four-legged owners understand the advantages of this operation.
Responsibility towards our pets does not only mean ensuring adequate food, shelter, playing with them, correct hygiene, but also maintaining health and preventing various ailments.

What is spay/neuter?
Spay/neuter is a simple surgical procedure that prevents pets from reproducing. The operation does not cause pain to our animal because it is carried out under general anesthesia, discharge takes place the same day and in just a few days our furry friends can run freely.
Unlike us humans, animals are not aware of this intervention on their bodies, so we don’t risk depression on their part because they no longer have ovaries/uterus/testes 🙂
Female sterilization consists of ovariohysterectomy – removal of the uterus and ovaries or oophorectomy – only the ovaries are removed)
Castration in males consists of the removal of the testicles.

When should the animal be spayed/neutered?
In principle, the sterilization-neutering of the animal is carried out between 4 months and 12 months, but the size of the animal, the state of health and sometimes even the breed are very important. Therefore, we recommend that you consult a veterinarian to advise you on the best way to proceed. Before the operation, the veterinarian will make sure that the animal can be subjected to this operation by carrying out various tests. The younger the age of the animal (within the allowable limit), the easier and faster the recovery will be.

The costs of the spay/neuter operation
The costs of this operation differ from one veterinary practice to another. If you cannot afford the cost of such an operation, we recommend contacting one of the NGOs that support free sterilization campaigns for pets. A simple Google search will help you in this regard.

Why is it important to sterilize pets?
1) reducing the number of stray animals
The biggest problem is the appearance of unwanted puppies due to accidental litters or ignorance of pet owners. Then we find these chickens on the street, growing up, producing generations and generations of ownerless animals. Most homeless dogs come from owners’ dogs. Aside from the fact that these dogs live day by day, hungry, dirty, exposed to multiple dangers, due to the lack of medical care they can be carriers of various diseases that are transmitted very easily through the urine and feces of our pets. Public shelters are full of these dogs, dogs that end up being euthanized because there are no adopters for them.

2) the health and balance of our pet
Spaying/neutering our pets is essential to guarantee them a healthy and balanced life for as long as possible.
Sterilization greatly reduces the risk of a number of health problems such as:
– in females: pyometra, endometritis, hormone-induced dermatitis, endometrial hyperplasia, cancer of the uterus or ovary, nervous breastfeeding, false pregnancy, etc.
– in men: testicular cancer, prostate diseases, hormone-induced dermatitis
Sterilization also prevents behavioral alterations due to hyperestrogenism and hypersecretion of testosterone: aggression towards another animal or even towards people, marking of the territory with urine (which can also be found inside the house), leaving the house by males when they notice a female in heat in the neighborhood (hence a series of problems such as: road accidents, loss of pets, etc.).
3) prevent the transmission of genetic diseases and behavioral defects
Spaying/neutering even purebred dogs without breeding rights helps reduce the risk of genetic diseases. Through defective mating, offspring become the result of the transfer of genetic baggage, behavioral defects, genetic diseases. For this reason, the mating of domestic animals is carried out only after they have been refereed and have obtained the OK for reproduction, this being a recognition of the breed without defects which must not be transmitted

Pre/post-operative preparations
– preoperator
The animal must not consume food 12 hours before surgery, nor water on the day of surgery. General anesthesia can give a feeling of nausea and by eliminating meals before the operation we prevent our pet from vomiting. Following the analyzes carried out by the vet before the operation, he will inform you if it will be necessary to take other pre-operative measures.
– postoperative
As a rule, if there are no complications, you can take your pet home on the day of the operation. Due to the general anesthesia the animal will be slightly confused, disoriented, will be drowsy and may scream, growl, moan, etc. due to the lack of control. The animal must be supervised in the hours following the operation and the vet’s instructions must be followed regarding any medications that we will need to administer. Starting from the second day, the animal must be supervised so as not to lick its operation and not to make great efforts which would lead to breaking the threads of the operation. Regarding post-operative nutrition, it is advisable to ask your vet for advice if a certain food is necessary or if it is possible to maintain the usual one.
CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the moral obligation to sterilize our pet, thus avoiding the appearance of unwanted puppies that end up on the street, but above all for the health and balance of our furry friends, we also have the obligation required by law because as we know since 2013, with law no. 258, sterilization of pet animals without pedigree and breeding rights is mandatory. Especially since there are many free sterilization campaigns so even the economic concern is no longer justified.
We are directly responsible for the pets we own and taking care of their health must be a priority in order to enjoy them for as long as possible. And don’t forget, ADOPT, DON’T BUY!