How to Fix Your Dog or Cat

Unless you are a breeder, neutering or spaying is a humane and ethical element of caring for your pet. It reduces many health risks and ensures that your pet will not contribute to the overpopulation of animal shelters.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Patience And Compassion
• Pet Carrier
• Pet Treats

1. Buy a pet carrier and train your pet to ride in it. If your dog is too large for a carrier, teach him to ride in the backseat of the car. Provide yummy treats after a drive so the pet has positive associations with car rides. This will make trips to the veterinarian's office much easier.

2. Bring your pet to a reputable veterinarian. Word of mouth is the best way to find a good vet. The veterinarian will tell you when your pet is old enough for neutering or spaying. It might be as early as eight weeks.

3. Follow any presurgery instructions the veterinarian provides.

4. Act calmly and lovingly as you bring your pet in for surgery. Your attitude can soothe your furry friend.

5. After the surgery, administer any pain-management medications to your pet according to your vet's instructions.

6. Call your veterinarian's office the following day. A diligent vet will want a post-op update.

7. Monitor your pet closely for the next 24 hours. Contact your vet immediately if you see symptoms of possible complications (vomiting, failure to eat, weakness, bleeding or swelling).

8. If your pet is chewing or licking the incision, ask your veterinarian about getting a special collar to prevent this.

9. Keep your pet indoors for a few days while he or she heals, to reduce the risk of torn sutures or infection. Understand that females will typically take a longer time to mend since an ovariohysterectomy is a more involved surgery than a castration is.

10. Schedule a return visit to your veterinarian when it is time to have the sutures removed.

Tips & Warnings

• Neutering a male will reduce aggressive behavior significantly. An unneutered male is more likely to get in fights or run away.

• Spaying or neutering reduces the likelihood of certain types of cancer. Spaying also protects females from the risks associated with pregnancy.

• Programs exist to help low-income pet owners pay for neutering or spaying. Inquire at a local animal shelter or humane society.