Most pet owners are aware that all veterinarians and most animal advocates recommend spaying and neutering of all domestic dogs and cats. Many people, however, are only aware of one specific reason to do so: population control.

It is a myth that domestic pets should either have a heat cycle, breed, or have offspring before they are spayed or neutered. There is absolutely no evidence to support this theory, which in essence, is an "old wives tale". In fact, the incidence of mammary (breast) cancer is dramatically reduced in female dogs spayed before the first heat cycle (by a factor of 200). There is markedly less, but still significant, (factor of 12) benefit to performing the procedure before the second heat cycle. When an animal is spayed, both the uterus and ovaries are removed. This negates the possibility of cancer in either organ, as well as the possibility of uterine infection (pyometra). Pyometra is a commonly diagnosed problem in older unspayed dogs, and unfortunately it is often necessary to correct the infection surgically, at great risk to the pet, and financial burden to the owner.

Neutering of males decreases unpleasant marking and mounting behaviors, as well as the tendency to roam from home. In dogs, neutering greatly decreases the incidence of benign prostatic hypertrophy, a very common condition of intact male dogs (and humans) which is treated in animals by &. neutering. Since the testicles are removed when the neutering procedure is performed, cancer of these organs is prevented.

At Bath-Brunswick Veterinary Associates, we perform dozens of these surgeries weekly. Typical spaying and neutering is done by 6 months of age, but the current trend toward earlier intervention is resulting in spaying and neutering as young as three months of age. The risk of complications is low, and our doctors are available by appointment to discuss these procedures with you in greater detail.