BUFFALO VETERINARIANS
SERVING BUFFALO MINNESOTA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
BUFFALO COMPANION ANIMAL CLINIC
Why Spay and Neuter?
• Each year, 15 million dogs & cats are destroyed or
housed in animal shelters because of overpopulation
• Intact (not spayed/neutered) animals have an
increased risk of certain diseases
• The heat cycle in canines includes bloody discharge
and the added responsibility of keeping male dogs
away from the female to prevent unwanted pregnancy
• Female cats tend to be very vocal when they are in
heat and may exhibit some behavioral changes
• The neutered male cat tends to roam less, be less
aggressive and sprays urine much less frequently than an intact male cat
• The neutered male dog will also tend to roam less
and be less aggressive towards other dogs. “Marking
territory” also decreases in neutered males
• Breeding animals requires a large investment of
time, money and responsibility. It is not something
to be taken lightly.
Health-Related Issues in Intact Pets
Pets that are not spayed or neutered are at risk for potentially life-threatening reproductive system diseases, such as:
Males
• Testicular cancer
• Increased risk for prostate cancer, inflammation
and/or enlargement
Certain perianal tumors
Females
• Canines spayed prior to their first heat cycle have
<0.5% chance of developing mammary cancer in
their lifetime as compared to an 8% chance if spayed
after their second heat cycle
• Cats spayed after their second heat cycle are 7 times
more likely to develop mammary cancers than cats
spayed before their first heat cycle
• Intact females have the potential to develop pyometra,
an overwhelming infection in the uterus which can
be fatal
Fast Facts About the Procedures
When: Most pets are spayed/neutered between
16-24 weeks of age
How: Pets are placed under general anesthesia. In
males the testicles are removed. The ovaries and
uterus are removed in the female
Spay vs. Neuter: Females are spayed (ovario
hysterectomy) and males are neutered/
castrated (orchiectomy)