Neutering your pet has many benefits. The procedure, which prevents male animals from reproducing, can help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life. Neutering will not change your pet’s personality.
By neutering your pet, you’re reducing or eliminating his risk for prostate and testicular cancer, as well as sexually transmitted diseases. Neutering will also reduce or eliminate undesirable and embarrassing behaviour, including roaming, fighting, humping, and spraying. In addition, neutering your pet will help control the dog and cat overpopulation problem, keeping more animals out of shelters.
Neutering, which involves removing the testicles, is a surgical procedure and does need to be performed with the pet under anesthesia. We follow strict protocols and continually monitor your pet’s vital signs to help ensure his safety. Please see the descriptions under Anesthesia and Patient Monitoring for more information on what we do to keep your pet safe.
At Byron Animal Clinic, we recommend neutering at 6 to 8 months of age to maximize behavioural benefits and minimize surgical complications. Some breeders and pet owners prefer to neuter male dogs at 12 to 14 months of age. The theory being that these dogs are allowed to completely finish the growth of their musculoskeletal system and (perhaps) avoid some orthopaedic conditions.
To set up an appointment to have your pet neutered or to learn more about this procedure, please call (519) 472-3770 or visit our clinic. If you are struggling with the decision of whether to neuter your pet, please call us so we can discuss your concerns.