spay and neuter in port st. lucie, fl

Spay and Neuter in Port St. Lucie, FL

An important way to improve your pet’s quality of life and their relationship with your family is to have them spayed or neutered. Dogs and cats can have health and behavioral problems as a result of the hormones their bodies produce. Removing the organs that produce these hormones not only prevents pregnancies; it also helps to prevent future illnesses and other issues. We believe that prevention is the best medicine for every pet in Port St. Lucie. Call (772) 337-8570 to learn more about spay and neuter at our Port St. Lucie animal hospital!

Spaying and Neutering Can Save Lives, Too

Many parts of the US have an animal overpopulation problem. When stray animals reproduce, their numbers grow rapidly, which causes shelter overcrowding. Furthermore, not all shelter animals are able to find homes, and millions of animals must be humanely euthanized every year. Spay and neuter surgeries keep populations under control, which in turn eases the burden on shelters and helps more animals get adopted.

What Issues Can Be Prevented or Improved?

Spaying and neutering dogs and cats can help prevent, or at least reduce the likelihood of, the following conditions:

  • Mammary cancer (females)
  • Testicular cancer (males)
  • Pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection (females)
  • An enlarged prostate (males)

Spay and neuter surgeries can affect certain behaviors too, such as:

  • Aggression (males)
  • Inappropriate mounting behaviors (males)
  • Urine marking/spraying (males)
  • Getting out of the house and roaming around in search of a mate (males and females)
spay and neuter

Common Misconceptions

Contrary to certain beliefs, spay and neuter do not change pets’ personalities or innate intelligence. It also shouldn’t cause pets to gain weight—as long as you follow your veterinarian’s recommendations regarding diet and exercise, your pet will stay at a healthy weight.

When Will My Pet Need the Surgery?

Your pet’s current health and personal needs determine when they should be spayed or neutered. Ideally, dogs and cats should be spayed and neutered before they become adults (1-2 years of age). This increases their chances of avoiding cancer or other issues associated with sex hormones.

To speak with your vet about when to spay or neuter your pet, just give us a call at (772) 337-8570.