Some advice on spaying and neutering...

Number 1: Please spay and neuter your animals.

Number 2: Please spay and neuter your animals.

Number 3: It’s spay and neuter, not spaded and nuttered.

Number 4: Dogs spayed before their first heat cycle (aka menstruation/aunt flow/period, puberty, etc) have 0.5% risk of developing mammary gland cancer when they get older.  Those spayed after their first heat cycle still only have an 8% risk compared to intact dogs (so it’s not too late).  In pups, the chances of mammary cancer being malignant are approximately 50%!  In cats, breast cancer is over 90% malignant!  (They tend to spread quickly) In males, it decreases their chances of getting testicular cancer… because there are no testesees.  But it also decreases chances of having problems with their prostate as well. 

Number 5: Intact females are at risk for developing severe and potentially fatal infections of the uterus known as “pyometra” (pyo = pus, metra = uterus… sorry, but you can vom now).  Treatment for pyometra involves emergency surgery to remove the uterus. (Hint: a routine spay is much more, extremely, ridiculously, cheaper, safer and controlled than emergency surgery in a sick, unstable patient with a pyometra.) 

Number 6:  Population control. Millions of animals are euthanized in shelters each year due to overpopulation.  That sucks. 

Number 7:  If you are thinking about breeding your pet and have never done it before, I suggest not doing it.  This is an undertaking that should be performed by experienced and responsible breeders.  There are significant health risks that can occur both before, during and after having pups/kittens.  So if you are thinking about breeding your pet (which is not really recommended, then educate yourself first, be prepared, seek veterinary care before undertaking such a task!) Plus see Number 6. 

Number 8: To close, pretty please spay and neuter your animals? 

Thanks in advance,

Dr. Chu (and all the aminals)