Understanding The Purpose of Veterinarians

Having a dog spayed or neutered can help you avoid the chaos of the heat cycle, minimize roaming and eliminate excessive aggressiveness. Most people understand the reasons behind these processes, but knowing exactly when to perform them is something entirely different. If you're thinking about having your puppy spayed or neutered, take a step back. For the safety of your furry friend, it's often best to wait until they have made it through puberty:

Bone Growth Abnormalities

If you spay or neuter your dog too soon, you increase the chance of a bone growth abnormality, causing the animal to grow larger than is intended. Just like humans, dogs have a natural cue that tells the body when it's time to stop growing, known as estrogen.

When a puppy is treated before puberty, this will limit the body's ability to produce estrogen. In turn, the animal's growth plates may stay open longer, allowing it to grow more than is normal for the breed. These abnormalities can significantly lower the quality of life for the animal.

Repeat Procedures for Toy Breeds

If you have a toy breed, performing these procedures too soon can also increase the likelihood of the animal having to undergo a repeat anesthesia procedure. With toy breeds, their deciduous teeth don't always fall out as expected. As a result, it's not uncommon for the pet to have to undergo a procedure to have them removed, which requires anesthesia.

If required, this procedure is perfumed once puberty has been completed. If you spay or neuter too quickly, your pet may end up undergoing two procedures instead of one that can handle both matters. Anesthesia is safe, but it's not something you want to put your dog through more than necessary.

Hip Dysplasia

Another risk that comes along with performing these procedures too early is hip dysplasia. This is a condition where the hip socket does not form correctly, resulting in painful arthritis, which can be sometimes crippling.

Similar to bone abnormalities, this risk has to do with the prevention of proper estrogen formation that early spaying and neutering can sometimes induce. A dog that suffers from this condition may need assistance to walk or may have a shorter lifespan in more several cases.

When it comes to protecting your little fur baby, always rely on the expertise of a veterinarian. These professionals will help you determine the perfect time to spay or neuter your dog. Contact a vet office like Caring Hands Animal Hospital for more information and assistance.