The topic of spaying and neutering is most often brought up by dog owners; however, it is a subject that should be addressed by all pet owners.
Local shelters are often overpopulated.
If all pet owners spayed and neutered, their local animal shelters would experience a reduction in their populations.
This reduction would not only result in fewer animals living on the streets and being euthanized, but it would also increase the available space in shelters for animals that may otherwise be thrust into homelessness.
What’s the difference between spaying or neutering your pet
Spaying a dog refers to the removal of a female dog’s reproductive organs, while neutering refers to the procedure that’s done for males.
When a female dog is spayed, the vet removes her ovaries and usually her uterus as well.
Spaying renders a female dog no longer able to reproduce and eliminates her heat cycle.
The procedure is also known as an ovariohysterectomy (where both uterus and ovaries are removed) or an ovariectomy (where only ovaries are removed).
Both surgeries are equally safe and effective.
When neutering a dog, both testicles and their associated structures are removed.
This procedure is also known as castration.
Neutering renders a male dog unable to reproduce, but any behavior related to breeding instincts, like humping, usually ceases.
Alternative procedures, like vasectomies for male dogs (the severing of the tubes that conduct sperm from the testes), are available but not commonly performed.
Reasons to spay or neuter your pet
Neutered male dogs experience is a reduced risk for testicular cancer.
Spayed females have a reduced risk for mammary, uterine, ovarian and cervical tumors.
Neutered male dogs also experience a reduction in non-cancerous prostate disorders, a reduction in perineal fistulas and it is also believed a reduced risk for diabetes.
Female dogs that are spayed also experience a significant reduction in pyometra (a uterine infection) and perineal fistulas.
Behavior can be affected by whether or not you spay or neuter your pet.
One of the most obvious differences between a spayed or neutered pet and an unaltered pet is the need to “roam.”
Male pets will go to great lengths to get to a female that is in heat; this includes behavior such as tunneling under fences and leaping over gates.
The scent of a female in heat can carry for considerable distances making it extremely difficult to contain a male pet that smells a female in heat.
Another consideration is the effect that hormone release has on the behavior of an animal.
Males, in particular, can become extremely dominant or bullheaded as a result of surges in testosterone.
These pets can be extremely difficult to control and train.
Hormones also play a role in instincts, such as marking behavior and shows of dominance and aggression.
The majority of dog bites involve dogs that have not been fixed.
Spaying and neutering can reduce these behaviors and make animals easier to manage, which can result in fewer frustrations for the animal.
Many people think that they would like their dog to have babies once in their lifetime; these people rarely understand the cost of both pregnancy and raising young.
The pregnant female requires supplementation with vitamins in addition to a higher quality dog food.
Regular veterinarian check-ups are a must to ensure the health of offspring as well as the mother to be.
All of these expenses occur before the youngsters are even born.
The birthing process is another potentially expensive experience.
Several conditions can arise that require veterinary intervention, which can be costly; it is also possible for the birthing female to experience complications that cost her life.
What can you do to help
From October 25 to October 27, SPCA Witbank will be holding a spay-a-thon with the aim of sterilizing approximately 90 cats and dogs from the community.
This wonderful initiative will hopefully decrease the amount of pet homelessness within eMalahleni.
Of course, all of these sterilizations will cost money.
SPCA Witbank is kindly asking for donations towards this cause.
Donations can be paid to:
Bank: Nedbank
Account number: 1585524743
Branch: 187505
Reference: Steri drive
(S18A available for SARS)
SPCA Witbank is also in need of cat and dog food, ice cream containers, blankets, collars and kennels.
