One of the most important steps you can take to ensure the lifelong health of your dog is to have him or her neutered or spayed. This relatively simple procedure will keep your dog healthier and reduce certain unwanted behaviors. You are also doing your part to help reduce the numbers of unwanted puppies that are placed in animal shelters each year.

What Is a 'Spay'?
Spaying, also known as ovariohysterectomy, is a surgical
procedure in which the reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus) are removed from a female dog. The procedure is performed while your pet is under general anesthesia.
While spaying is generally a simple and safe procedure, it is still
a major surgery in which the abdominal cavity is opened to remove the reproductive organs. At the end of the procedure, the incision is closed with sutures and/or staples and will take 10 to 14 days to heal. Depending on the age, size, and health
of your dog, she may stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's recommendations regarding pain medication and aftercare,
such as keeping your dog calm and quiet for a few days.

What Is a 'Neuter'?
Also called a castration, neutering is a surgical procedure in which both testicles are completely removed from your dog. Neutering is a minor surgical procedure that is done while your dog is under general anesthesia. Your pet's abdominal cavity is not opened during a neutering procedure. At the end of
the procedure, the incision is closed with sutures and will take 10 to 14 days to heal. As with spayed animals, your dog may stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a
few days depending on his age, size, and health. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's recommendations regarding aftercare.

SPAY/NEUTER Q & A
Q: Will my spayed/neutered dog get fat and lazy?
A: As long as you avoid overfeeding and make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise, he will not become fat or lazy.
Q: Isn't it better for a dog to have one litter first?
A: No. Evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat cycle are typically healthier overall.
Q: I want my dog to be protective. Will spaying/neutering change that?
A: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.
Q: Will my male dog feel like less of a male?
A: Not at all. Dogs don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change his basic personality, and he will have no emotional reaction when neutered.

Why Should I Spay or Neuter My Dog?
Research shows that removing the reproductive organs of female pets before their first heat cycle (around 6 months of age) significantly reduces the chance of breast cancer. Spaying
also removes the possibility of uterine infection as well as ovarian or uterine cancer. In males, neutering eliminates the possibility of enlargement of the prostate gland as well as
testicular cancer. Altering a pet also reduces the influence of reproductive hormones on a pet's behavior, making him or her less likely to roam or exhibit aggressive behavior.
Another very important reason is that spaying or neutering your dog helps to reduce the nation's pet overpopulation problem. Sadly, according to The Humane Society of the United States, between 3 and 4 million unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the nation's pet shelters, and that is probably a conservative number. Even if you can guarantee homes for all the puppies your dog delivers, it simply means there will be fewer potential homes available for other unwanted pets.

When Should I Spay or Neuter My Dog?
Most dogs are able to reproduce by the time they are 6 to 12 months of age, so the procedure should be done before then to eliminate the chance of an unwanted litter. The cost of spaying
or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of your dog, your veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables.