Knoxville Veterinarian Shares The Importance of Spay & Neutering
For many, it's hard to resist the sight of an adorable litter of puppies or kittens, but as cute as these little fur balls are they come at a cost to their parents, their human owners, and at times, even themselves. While there will always be some responsible breeders who take special health precautions to reduce health concerns related to animal pregnancy and the overall health of their pets, the average pet owner should not pursue having their pet experience motherhood or fatherhood. Overall, it is much better to spay your pet or neuter your pet with the help of veterinarians in Knoxville TN.
Why Spay and Neuter in Knoxville is the Right Choice for Your Pet's Health
The purpose of having a pet is to cultivate a relationship between the humans and other pets in the household. Pets can be obtained in a variety of ways, through a responsible breeder, rescues, and various adoption services. There are a lot of pets out there who need homes. In fact, when you spay and neuter in Knoxville, chances are you are setting your cat or dog up for a better overall quality of life Some of the direct health benefits include
Cancer Prevention
Spayed female dogs and cats have a reduced risk of developing uterine infections and/or breast tumors. If possible, your should spay your pet before she has a chance to go into heat for the first time. If tumors do develop, it is highly likely that they will be cancerous. In dogs, about half of breast tumors are malignant, and cats are diagnosed with cancer as much as 90 percent of the time.
Cancer prevention is important for your boys as well. Male dogs and cats that aren't neutered are more prone to prostate issues as well as testicular cancer.
neutered dogs live 18% longer, spayed dogs live 23% longer
Avoiding Heat and Roaming
Cats and dogs that are in heat are often a far cry from the pets you know and love. While in heat, your cat or dog may urinate more often, and it is less likely that this will happen in their designated spot. An unneutered male will sense if there is a potential mate nearby, and many manage to escape in an attempt to find her, and face all the dangers of the outside world including other animals with the same goal, traffic, or humans that may hurt them. By making that appointment with vets in Knoxville, your pet will be more comfortable and is far more likely to stay home.
Reduce Aggression and Other Behavior Issues
When a dog or cat has serious behavioral issues, most of the time they have not been spayed or neutered. Most reported bites happen with un-neutered dogs. They are also less prone to exhibit mounting behaviors -- whether male or female. Of course, having your pet go through a spay or neuter in Knoxville doesn't guarantee an angel pet, a certain amount of training is required as well.
Controlling the Pet Population
Every year between 6-8 million pets are surrendered to animal shelters or rescues, and only about half are placed in homes. Spaying and neutering pets keeps these numbers from growing even higher. Whether your pet is a few months old, or several years old, they can benefit. If your pet hasn't undergone this important procedure, Bluegrass Animal Hospital in Knoxville, TN can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
