1. A female dog makes a better pet if she is permitted to go through one heat cycle or pregnancy.

FALSE: Allowing a dog to go through a heat or having a litter does NOT improve her personality, make her calmer, or make her more loveable. A good stable, loving home is what allows a dog to flourish.

2. Spaying and neutering makes pets fat.

FALSE: Overfeeding and too little activity cause weight gain. It is recognized however, that altered pets can have a decreased resting metabolic rate and require less calories. Pet owners should be prepared to monitor pet’s body condition and decrease feeding amounts if needed.

3. You cannot have a pet spayed when she is in heat.

FALSE: Pets can be spayed when in heat, although most veterinarians prefer to wait 1 month after completion of heat cycle. Because the reproductive organs are larger and have more blood supply when in heat, there can be a slight increased risk of bleeding or larger surgical incisions. Some pets are spayed regardless of heat status when the risk of accidental breeding and unwanted pregnancy is high.

4. Breast cancer can be prevented by spaying a dog or cat.

TRUE: Breast cancer is almost completely preventable in dogs and cats by spaying. Spaying a female dog before the first heat will result in near zero risk of developing breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer changes to 7% when allowed one heat, and increases up to 25% after two heat cycles!

5. It’s too late to neuter a male dog that is over 8 years of age.

FALSE: Neutering is often done for middle aged and senior male dogs to treat conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and testicular cancer. However, the maximum health benefits are gained when your pet is neutered at sexual maturity- BEFORE any reproductive health problems set in and before behavioral issues develop.

6. Neutering a male dog decreases the risk of hernias.

TRUE: Intact male dogs are at increased risk of a type of hernia called perineal hernias. This is a painful condition where a tear forms in the muscle of the anal area and which requires surgery. Neutering male dogs help to minimize this hernia risk.

Spay & Neuter Specials
Do you need to “Fix Your Critter?”…If so, then take advantage of our regular low-cost spay & neuter packages that are offered Monday through Friday. Call for more details at 702-645-3116 or visit our website at www.lmah.net.

Pet of the Month
We’ve spotted our next LMAH Pet of the Month! Our September winner is Valerie, a Dalmatian with spots galore! Visit our website to see her story at www.lmah.net