For many pet owners, one pet is enough. They don’t have the time or finances to handle a brood of baby pets due to an unexpected pregnancy. If you fall into this category, consider having your pet fixed. At NEK Veterinary Services, we offer safe and effective spay and neuter surgeries for pets in the Hiawatha area. Let’s look at what you should know about these procedures.

Understanding Spay and Neuter Surgeries

Spay and neuter surgeries sterilize your pet to prevent unwanted pregnancies. These procedures are considered low-risk, routine surgeries and can be performed by our veterinarians in Hiawatha. Spaying is the surgery done for female pets and neutering is the surgery done for males.

The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

In addition to preventing pregnancies, spay and neuter surgeries have health and behavioral benefits for dogs and cats. Spaying your dog or cat reduces its risk of getting reproductive infections and cancers, so your pet can live a longer, healthier life.

Spayed female pets won’t go into heat and display undesirable behaviors like yowling all night or spraying indoors. Neutered male dogs are less likely to roam in search of a mate or get into fights with other dogs. Neutering can also reduce aggressive tendencies in your dog.

Spay and neuter surgeries reduce the number of homeless pets in your community or pets in animal shelters. Millions of unwanted pets are euthanized annually due to not being able to find a home. By fixing your pet, you can help save pet lives in the long run.

When to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

Cats can be fixed as early as 8 weeks of age. For maximum health benefits, we recommend spaying your female cat before her first heat. Dogs are generally fixed around 5-6 months of age. After a comprehensive pet exam, your veterinarian can determine the best time to have your pet fixed, taking into consideration its breed and health.

Contact Our Veterinarians in Hiawatha for Spaying and Neutering

To schedule an appointment for spay or neuter surgeries or to learn more about these procedures, contact NEK Veterinary Services at (785) 742-2147. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.