Sterilisation a saving!

In France, it is estimated that each year, a half million puppies and kittens are euthanized for lack of finding homes.

In the United States, it is estimated that last year nearly 17 million cats and dogs were abandoned in various shelters and only 1 in 10 have found a home, which means that 13.5 million animals have been destroyed. The tragedy is that this is unnecessary and avoidable. By sterilizing your pet, you help reduce the number of unwanted pets or homeless animals.

It is delightful to see the birth of a litter, but babies are not built and only a professional is able to help their good psychological development to ensure healthy adults who will not be abandoned for behavioral problems. As it is impossible to predict the fate of an animal, it is essential that the first months of the development of newborns are expertly supervised.

So let professionals do the raising and let us focus on properly caring for our animals and behave as responsible guardians.

Sterilization :

The biggest excuse or reason given to me most of the time is that if veterinarians would be more reasonable and charges less for sterilization, more people would do it.This could be true! But consider this comment. Veterinarians are experts in the field of care of an animal;
If I have a problem with my car, I go to a mechanic
If I have a problem with my building, I go to a professional contractor
If I have a problem with my computer, I go to a computer technician

Now tell me that a mechanic, a professional contractor or a computer technician are less expensive than a veterinarian?
Be honest before answering. Take out the bill from your last repair. My last bill mechanic cost me $ 600 and my last vet bill cost me $ 180. My car now runs very well and my cat too. The real question here is “what value or what degree of responsibility have I given to my decision to having an animal under my supervision”?

Think about it :

Another good way to save an animal and have it sterilized at low cost is to get the animal in an adoption center like ours. Indeed, all animals adopted at the adoption center of the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle have received a health examination by our veterinarians, have been wormed, receive their first vaccinations and have been sterilized. In addition, they have received a behavioral assessment and receive behavioral support for the life of the animal. The cost of adoption is less than the cost of sterilization at the vet. Come and visit the animals for adoption on our web-site and compare.

You can consider sterilization as a savings.

The first reason to sterilize your pet is, of course, to curb overpopulation and the killing of thousands of unwanted animals each year. You also bring relief to your pet, give a greater life expectancy and, if you are a responsible guardian, a relief to your finances.

Here are some benefits of sterilization to your animal :

• Reduce unwanted litters. A pet owner is responsible for every kitten that comes into the world. It is difficult to place them all. These are not shelters that kill animals but the people who manufacture and abandon.
• Sterilization today can save a more costly operation later in life.
• Treatment of injuries. The pubescent male cat must have its sexual territory. He fiercely defends it against any male who dares to approach it, and bloody battles occur. These males regularly return home with infected wounds and abscesses, the consequences of his fights with competitors, adding costs to their care. AIDS by cats are caught mainly during these battles
• An increase in life expectancy. It has been demonstrated that animals spayed or neutered are far less likely than others to develop certain cancers, ailments or other health problems, infectious diseases, prostate problems, testicular cancer in males and breasts in the female cat or dog. One dog in four that is not sterilized develops mammary tumors.
• Uterine infections. In addition, uterine infections are common in aging females; this serious disease requires the surgical removal of the uterus. The risks involved in such operations are obviously higher in older animals and they become debilitated by this disease.
• There are always risks of serious complications during birthing. Especially in cats that mated at each heat.
• Prostate problems are common among older non-sterilized males as tumors or infections are routinely diagnosed.
• An animal that is not neutered is always more likely to run away. While away a pet may get hit by a car and be seriously injured or even killed.

Early sterilization greatly lowers the risk of these complications and veterinary costs related thereto.

Behavioural benefits

• Limiting the troublesome behaviors of males, who tend to scratch and urinate on their territory during mating opportunities
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• Cessation of females going into heat, and even a sudden, unpleasant behavior associated with this state.  Nuisance meowing, rubbing, running away ... If a female in heat is not mated, the circus can last almost ten days and then again ten days later and again throughout the season “of love”, usually from February to June!
• During her heat, the female attracts all the cats in the area and, of course, all that comes with: the raucous cat calling in the night, screaming, fighting between males and all the trimmings.
• The dog no longer in heat. During the two weeks before her heat, the female will have bloody vaginal discharge that stains carpets and seats. Sensing the heat, unsterilized male dogs in the neighborhood will all to be in your yard. A male dog can smell females in heat for miles around.
• In addition, disappearances are more common in not neutered cats or dogs. They go in search of females and territories to conquer. A few days away often gives plenty of trouble to owners and children, who love their animals. Unfortunately, running away can also be for life ... Sometimes the animals never return
• And, do not forget the worst of all: in the cat, not neutered cats mark their territory. The smell of urine is strong, persistent and very unpleasant is even more true, in the non neutered male.
• A change in behavior. Some behavior problems can be reduced or even disappear after castration or sterilization, since they affect hormones.

The preconceptions:

“A dog or a cat must have at least one litter in their lives for their health and behavior.”

False. This preconception has no scientific basis. Reproduction has no health or behavioral benefit. In contrast, pregnancy and birthing may pose risks: cesarean during a difficult birth, mastitis, and tetany in the dog after the birth of the puppies ...

“A castrated animal becomes obese.”

False. If the removal of sex glands may indeed predispose some animals to become overweight, a diet control and regular exercise can maintain their weight

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“There is no need to sterilize an older dog that we just adopted.”

It depends. If they are projecting inappropriate behavior, the operation is recommended. Unlike humans, menopause does not exist in dogs and they can be fertile throughout their lives.

“Medical contraceptives are risky and cannot be administered long term.”

True. There is no safe and effective contraceptive in the female dog and cat. Hormone treatments can be administered one-time for a specific occasion (vacations) but for a permanent effect, only the surgical sterilization is recommended.

At what age should I sterilize my pet?

The rule is that the animal should be sterilized before they reach sexual maturity. In fact, many veterinarians now recommend sterilization at the age of 8 to 10 weeks. Consult with your veterinarian but be sure to do it before sexual maturity (usually between 5 and 6 months).

I want a big cat, will neutering prevent it from reaching its full size”

No, some studies have even determined that early sterilization increase growth, not more fat but taller and more slender.

Will my animal feel the lack of a maternal experience?

No, Please do not make the mistake of giving your pet feelings unique to humans, animals are not burdened by these social sentiments.

It seems clear that sterilization will bring a better quality of life for your pet and increase life expectancy by several years. It will also make for pleasant companions. Sterilization is a long term investment. The veterinary expenses incurred to treat various pathologies that appear in unsterilized animals are always much higher than what you have to pay for sterilization at a young age. Moreover, by sterilizing your pet, you will also contribute to controlling the exploding pet populations that affect our cities.