The hustle and bustle of the holidays are here, where we focus on friends, good food, and family. But just like any other time of year, now is a good time to slow down and make an appointment to spay or neuter your pet. This crucial decision not only benefits your pet’s health but also contributes to controlling the pet population.
We know this time of year is busy. But here are some reasons to think about why you should spay or neuter your pet during the holiday season.
Ample Time for Recovery
Do you take time away from work during the holidays? This time of year, you might find yourself spending more time at home especially when the major holidays arrive. This time away from work offers a great opportunity!
Pets need time to heal after getting spayed or neutered. The holiday break provides a great time for you to be at home and care for your pet during its recovery. You can closely monitor your pet’s condition, ensure they are comfortable, and follow the veterinarian’s post-surgery care instructions properly.
How to Help Your Pet Recover During the Holidays
- Follow the Vet’s Instructions: Pay close attention and adhere strictly to any care instructions and recommendations provided by your veterinarian. This might include guidelines on medication, wound care, and activity restrictions
- Limit Your Pet’s Activity: Ensure that your pet stays calm and limits physical activity. Avoid running, jumping, or any vigorous play that could disrupt the healing process.
- Provide a Comfortable Resting Area: Create a quiet, comfortable space for your pet to rest and recover. Keep it away from other pets and any potential disturbances.
- Keep an Eye on the Surgical Site: Regularly check the incision site for signs of infection, swelling, or unusual discharge. Contact your veterinarian if you notice anything concerning.
- Prevent Licking or Scratching: Prevent your pet from licking, biting, or scratching the incision site. You might need to use an Elizabethan collar (cone) or other protective gear to prevent this.
- Offer Food and Water: After surgery, your pet might not feel like eating. But make sure that your pet has access to fresh water and encourage them to eat. Some pets might have a reduced appetite after surgery, but it’s important to keep them hydrated and nourished.
- Be Gentle and Patient: Understand that your pet might be in pain or discomfort. Be patient, gentle, and provide them with extra attention and reassurance during their recovery. Talk to your veterinarian about pain medication.
- Keep Follow-Up Appointments: Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments with your veterinarian to ensure that your pet is healing properly.
- Watch for Behavioral Changes: Pay attention to any changes in your pet’s behavior. Contact your veterinarian if your pet seems overly lethargic, has difficulty breathing, or exhibits other signs of distress.
- Maintain a Calm Environment Calm: Maintain a calm and quiet environment in your home to help your pet relax and recover smoothly.
Surprise! Avoid Holiday Pet Pregnancies
Holiday surprises can be wonderful. But unwanted pregnancies from cats or dogs are usually not the best surprise.
If you decide to spay or neuter your pet during the holidays, you can avoid these unwanted holiday pet pregnancies from taking place. This will also ensure that you are not contributing to the overpopulation of dogs and cats.
As you can see, spaying, and neutering your pet during the holiday season as a gift that keeps on giving.
Reduce Health Risks
Did you know that spaying and neutering your dog or cat brings numerous health benefits? It’s true. Below, you will find examples of the health risks that you can avoid for your pet.
For Female Pets:
- Uterine Infections: Spaying involves the removal of a female pet’s ovaries and usually the uterus, which altogether eliminates the risk of uterine infections. These infections can be serious and life-threatening if not treated promptly and effectively.
- Breast Cancer: Spaying before the first heat significantly reduces a female pet’s risk of developing mammary tumors, which are cancerous in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. The risk of developing these tumors increases with each heat cycle the pet goes through.
For Male Pets:
- Testicular Cancer: Neutering, which involves the removal of a male pet’s testicles, completely eradicates the risk of testicular cancer, ensuring that this potential health threat is no longer a concern.
- Prostate Problems: While neutering does not eliminate the risk of all prostate issues, it does significantly reduce the risk of prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostatitis. These are common issues in older, unneutered male dogs.
- Perineal Hernias: Unneutered male dogs are more susceptible to perineal hernias, which involve a weakening of the muscles around the anus. These hernias can require surgery to repair and can be prevented by neutering.
Less Stress for You
The holidays can be a stressful time for many. And even though pet surgery is a little stressful as well, the truth is that staying or neutering your pet will greatly reduce stress overtime.
- Saves Money: Preventing potential health problems reduces future veterinary costs. Additionally, caring for a pet with a litter is expensive and time-consuming.
- Makes Pets Better Companions: Altered pets tend to be more affectionate and may have more even temperaments.
- Reduces the Risk of Accidental Litters in the Future: Even well-cared-for pets can escape and mate, leading to unwanted litters. Spaying or neutering prevents these accidents.
- Simplifies Pet Care: Female pets won’t go into heat, and male pets are often less aggressive and easier to manage after being neutered.
Helping the Community
Are you looking to make a difference in your community? Spaying and neutering is a great place to start. By deciding to spay or neuter your pet, you are taking a responsible step towards helping control the pet population. This has a positive impact on your community by reducing the number of stray and unwanted animals.
Schedule Your Pet Spay or Neuter with Main Street Vets
The holidays offer a unique opportunity to give back and make responsible choices for our pets. Spaying or neutering your pet during this time ensures they live a healthier life, exhibit better behavior, and helps in managing the pet population in your community.
When you are ready to spay or neuter, your dog, or cat, give us a call at Main Street Vets. We look forward to helping you and your pet enjoy the holiday season ahead!
