Spaying Questions Pet Owners Should Understand

Having your pet spayed can be an excellent way of avoiding unwanted litters, and it can help your pet to avoid some of the more unpleasant aspects of their reproductive cycle. Yet, spaying is something that is often misunderstood by pet owners, and this can lead to them making mistakes when caring for their pet.

Is It Necessary For Your Pet To Have A Litter Before Being Spayed?

There is a common notion that many pet owners believe that it is necessary for their dog or cat to have a litter before being spayed. Often, this belief stems from the idea that the animal will experience health problems if it is spayed before giving birth. Fortunately, there is no truth to this myth, and it is advised for individuals to have their pet spayed as soon as it is old enough for this procedure.

What Will Recovering From The Spaying Be Like?

There is a concern that the process of recovering from a spaying will be extremely risky, painful and lengthy. Luckily, your pet will likely recover very quickly after this procedure. To help reduce the risk of an infection or other complications developing, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics. You will need to administer this medication to your pet exactly according to the directions. Otherwise, the pet may not be sufficiently protected against bacterial infections, which could potentially pose a significant health risk.

Does It Matter If Your Pet Bites Or Scratches At The Sutures?

To close the surgery site, your veterinarian will add a series of sutures. These will hold the skin together so that it can heal more quickly. Unfortunately, it is a common problem for pets to attempt to scratch or bite at their sutures. This can lead to the pet ripping them out, which could lead to serious problems. In order to minimize your pet's ability to do this, your veterinarian will issue a cone for your pet. This cone will fit around the neck of your animal, and it will prevent them from being able to reach the surgery site to bite it. They may still be able to scratch at the site, and you will want to closely monitor them so that you can stop this behavior if they start. If you find that you are unable to stop your pet from scratching at the sutures, you should consider placing specially designed pet mittens over their paws. These mittens will prevent their claws from being able to damage the sutures. To find out more, speak with someone like All Creatures Animal Hospital.