Febuary 25^th is an important day in the veterinary care world: it’s Spay Day. If you haven’t had your dog or cat spayed yet, we recommend getting this done as soon as possible. In this article from Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair animal hospital, a veterinarian vet discusses spaying.

Spay Day History

Spay Day was actually started by Doris Day, through the Doris Day Animal League, to combat and spread awareness about pet overpopulation. There are millions of homeless pets desperately in need of forever homes. Shelters just can’t keep up, which unfortunately results in heartbreakingly high euthanasia numbers. You may not think that getting one dog or cat fixed will do much, but every bit helps. One pair of cats can have 11, 606,077 descendants in just 11 years, while dogs can have 67,000 in just six years.

Why Spay?

The biggest reason to get your pet fixed is to prevent unplanned litters. We know, puppies and kittens are cute, but there’s just no way to guarantee that your furry friend’s babies and/or their descendants will all find good homes. However, preventing unwanted litters isn’t the only reason to get your pet fixed. Spaying also reduces or eliminates the risk of certain health issues, such as ovarian cancer. Plus, it will curb unwanted behaviors. Female pets can be quite a handful when they’re in heat! If you have a kitty, this will also spare you from listening to your furball’s amorous love songs. (Apparently, Fluffy’s singing actually sound good to other cats, but we are inclined to disagree.)

Helping Your Pet Recuperate

The spaying procedure is very routine and safe. Your vet will give you aftercare instructions. Follow these exactly, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Spaying is a more invasive procedure than neutering, so Fluffy will need to take it easy for week or so. (Tip: this is a great time to get your kitty a new bed.) Just let your kitty relax, and offer her lots of TLC. Don’t encourage her to run, jump, or play too much at first. Watch for signs of complications, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, and swelling or redness around the surgical site. Call your vet immediately if you notice anything amiss.

Do you need to schedule spay or neuter surgery for your kitty? Call Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair animal hospital, today!