WHY SPAYING OR NEUTERING IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR PET'S HEALTH
Each year, approximately 5,000,000 healthy animals are euthanized in our country's shelters due to lack of homes for them. According to Spay USA, two unaltered cats and their offspring can produce 370,000 kittens in 7 years, and more than 2 million in 8 years. It's clear that spaying and neutering your pets is crucial for reducing animal overpopulation, decreasing the number of otherwise healthy animals who must be euthanized.
But did you know that there are several serious illnesses and diseases that can affect your unaltered pet? The odds that your cat will contract one of these diseases can be drastically reduced, or eliminated entirely, with a simple spay or neuter procedure.
Female Cats
Spayed females are happier, healthier pets. The more heat cycles an unspayed kitty goes through, the more susceptible she is to certain serious diseases.
Pyometra
Pyometra is a deadly infection of the uterus, caused by normal hormonal fluctuations experienced by all unspayed female cats and dogs. In a pyometra, the uterus begins to react abnormally to these hormonal fluctuations, resulting in a bacterial infection inside the uterus. The uterus then begins to fill with pus. Toxins and bacteria within the uterus then begin to leak into the bloodstream, creating serious toxic effects.
Spaying your pet will completely eliminate the risk that she could contract this frequently fatal disease.
Uterine and Ovarian Cancer
Did you know that cancer accounts for nearly 50% of pet deaths each year, and it's the #1 natural cause of death in older pets? By having your kitty spayed, which removes the uterus and ovaries, you ensure that she will not develop uterine or ovarian cancer.
Mammary (Breast) Cancer
Mammary cancer is the third most common cancer in cats; it accounts for 17% of all feline tumors. Approximately 86% of feline mammary tumors are malignant. The incidence of cancerous mammary tumors decreases to almost zero if your cat is spayed before her first heat cycle.
Male Cats
Statistics show that neutered males are healthier pets. Many diseases and health problems are related to the presence of testosterone, a hormone secreted by the testicles. Neutering removes the source of testosterone.
Prostate Disease and Hernias
Neutering reduces the risk of prostate enlargement as well as related infections and cysts. Neutering also decreases the incidence of hernias; one long-term effect of testosterone is that it weakens or atrophies the group of muscles near the anus.
Testicular Cancer
There are several types of tumors, both benign and malignant, that can appear within the testicles. Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.
The High Cost of Not Spaying or Neutering
The price for treating any one of these serious medical conditions, especially if not caught early, can easily be several thousand dollars or more.
The price for spaying or neutering your pet, on the other hand, can be as little as $20 for your cat or $40 for your dog. Many low-cost spay and neuter programs are available throughout the Sacramento area, including one offered by Folsom Feline Rescue. Sacramento County residents can learn more about Folsom Feline Rescue's spay and neuter program by visiting www.folsomfelines.org/snyp.shtml.
And while the cost to your bank account may be substantial if your pet must be treated for one of these diseases, the cost to your pet is even higher: studies show that spayed and neutered cats have twice the average life expectancies as unaltered cats.
If you share your home with unspayed cats or dogs, please have them altered as soon as possible. Your pet's life may literally depend upon it.