{"id":1921,"date":"2024-05-20T14:30:32","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T19:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.medicaldistrictvet.com\/blog\/?p=1921"},"modified":"2024-05-21T10:25:35","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T15:25:35","slug":"why-should-you-spay-or-neuter-your-dog-or-cat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.medicaldistrictvet.com\/blog\/why-should-you-spay-or-neuter-your-dog-or-cat\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Should You Spay or Neuter Your Dog or Cat?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dr. Ang\u00e9lica Calder\u00f3n, at right, and veterinary assistant Sam prepare for surgery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Read in Spanish<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ovariohysterectomy (Spay)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that 25% of female dogs that are not spayed develop mammary tumors? Mammary tumors are commonly diagnosed in older intact female dogs, and the incidence of the development of mammary tumors in dogs is even higher than in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A spay surgery, also called an ovariohysterectomy, involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus in a female dog. Although it is an invasive surgery, it is one of the most common surgeries performed in a general practice veterinary clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many benefits to spaying your pet, and the earlier your pet is spayed the better. Complications that may arise during a female dog\u2019s life if she is not spayed include mammary tumors\/cancer and pyometra (infection of the uterus).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, spaying a dog or cat helps reduce pet overpopulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mammary Cancer Risks<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Penny the pug gets a hug from Yazmin as Penny is prepped for her spay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As previously mentioned, during a spay the uterus and both ovaries are removed. Ovaries are the female gonads that are responsible for the production of eggs and the female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spaying a female dog reduces her risk of developing mammary cancer. If spayed before her first heat cycle, there is almost no risk that she will develop mammary cancer. After she experiences one heat cycle, the risk goes up to 7%. And after more than one heat cycle, the risk goes up to 25%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most mammary tumors in dogs are diagnosed between the ages of 9 and 11 years old. Risk of this tumor type is not associated with a specific breed. Small breed dogs, however, appear to be more affected. This suggests a possible genetic component, although one has not yet been identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to information from Cornell University\u2019s Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center<\/a>, 50% of mammary tumors are malignant. The only way to determine if a tumor is malignant is to remove it and send it to a histopathology laboratory for interpretation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mammary Cancer Signs and Diagnostics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Clinical signs of mammary tumors include swollen glands, a painful abdomen, discharge from glands, ulcers near the mammary chain, and lethargy. An easy test that can be performed at most primary care veterinary clinics is called a fine-needle aspirate. This is a non-invasive test that extracts cells from the growth so that a histopathology laboratory can determine if they are cancerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A biopsy is a test that is more invasive than a fine-needle aspirate but less invasive than surgical mass removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surgical removal is recommended if mammary cancer is suspected. Diagnostic tests performed before surgery include blood work and chest radiographs to see if the cancer has spread. Treatment ultimately depends on the type of tumor and its behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any of the clinical signs for mammary cancer in your female dog, please contact your veterinarian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pyometra in Dogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A pyometra is a life-threatening bacterial infection of the uterus that is caused by hormonal changes in an intact female dog. A pyometra is most common in older intact females, but an unspayed dog of any age could get a pyometra. It can occur 1 to 2 months after a heat cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two forms of pyometra, closed and open. An open pyometra\u2014<\/a>the most common form\u2014is when the cervix is open and infection\/discharge drains from the vulva. Clinical signs include malodorous discharge from the vulva, lack of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and drinking an excessive amount of water. Sometimes there are no clinical signs in an open pyometra. Even so, dogs can decline rapidly if not diagnosed early.<\/p>\n\n\n

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This is a dog\u2019s uterus, greatly enlarged by inflammation (pyometra), after it has been surgically removed. A healthy uterus is about one-tenth the size.
Image by Kseniia <\/a>from AdobeStock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With a closed pyometra, the cervix is closed, and the discharge\/infection remains inside the uterus. The uterus can rupture in a closed pyometra, and the pet can become septic. This is a medical emergency. Pyometra can be life threatening and the treatment is an emergency spay. Pyometra can be 100% prevented if a female dog is spayed early in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pyometra in Cats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cats also get pyometra. One major difference in cats, however, is that they rarely appear sick until the very late stages of pyometra. Their abdomen can appear larger and distended due to the size of the discharge-filled uterus. Cats are seasonally polyestrous, meaning that they go into more heat cycles than dogs do, which makes them especially susceptible to getting a pyometra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, an ovariohysterectomy (spay) is a routine procedure performed by many general practice veterinarians. If your female cat or dog is not spayed, please reach out to your local veterinarian to discuss spaying your pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Castration (Neuter)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A neuter, also called a castration, involves removing both testicles in a male dog. Testes produce sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone, which is essential for the function of the prostate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problems that can arise if a male dog is not neutered include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis (infection of the prostate), and testicular cancer. Various studies have shown that neutering a male dog can also help with mounting behavior, inappropriate elimination, and aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Our patient Simba, a golden retriever, resting after his neuter surgery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Like a spay, a neuter is also a routine procedure and can be performed by most primary care veterinarians. Cats are often neutered under just sedation; the procedure can take less than 5 minutes in cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is highly recommended to neuter your pet after 6 months of age. There is, however, controversy in regard to large breed dogs and bone growth\/development. Neutering a large breed dog early has been shown to affect bone growth and lead to joint issues in the future. In a shelter setting, pets are usually neutered at an earlier age to make them more adoptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your male dog\/cat is not neutered, please reach out to your local veterinarian to discuss surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over the course of an intact male dog’s life, the prostate gland gradually enlarges due to the constant hormonal secretion. As an intact male dog ages, the prostate continues to enlarge and that can lead to discomfort\/pain. This condition, called BPH, can ultimately interfere with defecation and urination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clinical signs of BPH include blood in the urine, difficulty urinating\/defecating, and incontinence. An enlarged prostate can often be detected during a rectal exam. These signs however are very nonspecific and can resemble other medical conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, bladder crystals, or bladder tumor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neutering a male dog causes the prostate to shrink due to decreased hormonal secretion, which resolves BPH. If a dog has BPH, he will likely need anti-inflammatories and pain medications until surgical removal of the testicles. Ultimately, removing the testicles (neutering) is the treatment of choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testicular Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Testicular tumors are the most common genital tumors found in intact male dogs. Most testicular tumors are malignant, which means they have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testicular tumors usually occur in older dogs, with an average age of 10 years old. The tumors can grow on one or both testicles. Clinical signs include asymmetric testicles, pain near groin, testicular swelling, and visibly larger testicle\/testicles. Other signs include poor appetite, weight loss, and lethargy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment of choice is neutering the pet. Depending on the type of cancer, further treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy might be needed. Diagnostics, including blood work and chest radiographs to check for cancer spread, are performed before surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neutering your pet eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. If your male dog is intact and you would like to schedule a neuter surgery, please reach out to your veterinarian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cystine Crystals\/Stones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The amino acid cystine can be excreted in the urine and can lead to the formation of bladder and kidney stones. Although cystine crystals and stones are rare, they are influenced by the presence of sex hormones. These types of crystals and stones are common in intact male dogs and require surgical removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clinical signs may include straining to urinate, blood in the urine, and frequent urination episodes. Due to the anatomical difference in males and females, urinary obstruction is more common in males and it is a medical emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please reach out to your local veterinarian to further discuss spaying and neutering your pet, as there are many great benefits and various complications can be avoided if performed at an early age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Dr. Ang\u00e9lica Calder\u00f3n<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Images of Medical District staff and patients by Veronica<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Por qu\u00e9 deber\u00edas esterilizar y castrar a tu perro\/gato?<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Emma, \u200b\u200buna b\u00f3xer, luce un poco de mal humor antes y despu\u00e9s de su cirug\u00eda de esterilizaci\u00f3n.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Read in English<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ovariohisterectom\u00eda (esterilizaci\u00f3n)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sab\u00edas que el 25% de las perras que no est\u00e1n esterilizadas desarrollan tumores mamarios? Los tumores mamarios se diagnostican com\u00fanmente en perras mayores intactas y la incidencia del desarrollo de tumores mamarios en perros es incluso mayor que en humanos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Una cirug\u00eda de esterilizaci\u00f3n, tambi\u00e9n llamada ovariohisterectom\u00eda, consiste en la extirpaci\u00f3n de los ovarios y el \u00fatero de una perra. Aunque se trata de una cirug\u00eda invasiva, se realiza con mucha frecuencia y es una de las cirug\u00edas m\u00e1s comunes que se realizan en una cl\u00ednica veterinaria de medicina general<\/a>. Hay muchos grandes beneficios de esterilizar a su mascota y cuanto antes se esterilice a su mascota, mejor. Pueden surgir varias complicaciones a lo largo de la vida de una perra si no est\u00e1 esterilizada. Esto incluye tumores\/c\u00e1ncer mamario, piometra (infecci\u00f3n del \u00fatero) y sobrepoblaci\u00f3n de perros\/gatos si se cr\u00edan y producen descendencia, especialmente en la comunidad de animales callejeros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

C\u00e1ncer de mama<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Como se mencion\u00f3 anteriormente, durante una esterilizaci\u00f3n se extirpan el \u00fatero y ambos ovarios. Los ovarios son las g\u00f3nadas femeninas que se encargan de la producci\u00f3n de \u00f3vulos y de las hormonas sexuales femeninas (estr\u00f3geno y progesterona). Esterilizar a una perra puede ayudar en gran medida a reducir la posibilidad de desarrollar c\u00e1ncer de mama, independientemente de la edad. Sin embargo, hay varios factores a tener en cuenta. Si una perra es esterilizada antes de su primer ciclo de celo, la probabilidad de que desarrolle c\u00e1ncer de mama es de casi el 0%. Despu\u00e9s de experimentar un ciclo de celo, ese n\u00famero sube al 7%. Si una perra experimenta m\u00e1s de un ciclo de celo, el n\u00famero sube al 25%. La mayor\u00eda de los tumores mamarios se diagnostican entre los 9 y los 11 a\u00f1os de edad. No hay predilecci\u00f3n por la raza, sin embargo, los perros de razas peque\u00f1as parecen estar m\u00e1s afectados, lo que sugiere un posible componente gen\u00e9tico. Sin embargo, a\u00fan no se ha identificado una mutaci\u00f3n gen\u00e9tica. Seg\u00fan el Centro de Salud Canina Richard P. Riney de Cornell<\/a>, el 50% de los tumores mamarios son malignos y la \u00fanica forma de determinar si un tumor es maligno es extirparlo y enviarlo para su interpretaci\u00f3n histopatol\u00f3gica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los signos cl\u00ednicos de los tumores mamarios incluyen gl\u00e1ndulas inflamadas, abdomen doloroso, secreci\u00f3n de gl\u00e1ndulas, \u00falceras cerca de la cadena mamaria y letargo. Una prueba f\u00e1cil que se puede realizar en la mayor\u00eda de las cl\u00ednicas veterinarias de atenci\u00f3n primaria se llama aspirado con aguja fina. Se trata de una prueba no invasiva que se realiza habitualmente para evaluar el tipo de c\u00e9lulas presentes en el crecimiento. Estas muestras se env\u00edan para su interpretaci\u00f3n histopatol\u00f3gica para evaluar si el crecimiento es canceroso. Otra prueba que se puede realizar es una biopsia, que es m\u00e1s invasiva que un aspirado con aguja fina, pero menos invasiva que la extirpaci\u00f3n quir\u00fargica de masas. La extirpaci\u00f3n quir\u00fargica es la recomendaci\u00f3n de elecci\u00f3n si se sospecha c\u00e1ncer de mama. Se realizan varios diagn\u00f3sticos antes de la cirug\u00eda; Estos incluyen an\u00e1lisis de sangre b\u00e1sicos, as\u00ed como radiograf\u00edas de t\u00f3rax para evaluar la met\u00e1stasis (diseminaci\u00f3n). El tratamiento depende, en \u00faltima instancia, del tipo de tumor y de su comportamiento.  Si se observa alguno de los signos cl\u00ednicos mencionados anteriormente en su perra intacta, comun\u00edquese con su veterinario local para que se realicen los siguientes pasos apropiados.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piometra<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Two-fer: <\/strong>Estos hermanos gatos bengal\u00edes, Cutie Pie y el Sr. Bigglesworth, vinieron a nuestra cl\u00ednica para cirug\u00edas de esterilizaci\u00f3n y castraci\u00f3n el mismo d\u00eda.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Una piometra es una infecci\u00f3n bacteriana del \u00fatero potencialmente mortal causada por cambios hormonales en una perra intacta. Esto es m\u00e1s com\u00fan en hembras mayores intactas debido a los diversos ciclos de celo de que han pasado, sin embargo, una perra intacta de cualquier edad es susceptible de contraer una piometra. Esto puede ocurrir de 1 a 2 meses despu\u00e9s de un ciclo de celo y los signos cl\u00ednicos incluyen secreci\u00f3n maloliente de la vulva, falta de apetito, letargo, v\u00f3mitos y beber una cantidad excesiva de agua. Hay dos formas de piometra, cerrada y abierta. A veces, no hay signos cl\u00ednicos en una piometra abierta, sin embargo, las perras pueden decaer r\u00e1pidamente si no se diagnostican a tiempo. Una piometra abierta es cuando el cuello uterino est\u00e1 abierto y la infecci\u00f3n\/secreci\u00f3n drena fuera del cuerpo fuera de la vulva. Esta es la forma m\u00e1s com\u00fan.\u00a0 Con una piometra cerrada, el cuello uterino se cierra y la secreci\u00f3n\/infecci\u00f3n permanece dentro del cuerpo en el \u00fatero. De esta forma, el \u00fatero puede romperse y la mascota puede volverse s\u00e9ptica. Esto es una emergencia m\u00e9dica. Una piometra puede poner en peligro la vida y el tratamiento para esto es una esterilizaci\u00f3n de emergencia. Esto se puede prevenir al 100% si una perra es esterilizada a una edad temprana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lo mismo se aplica a las gatas, sin embargo, una diferencia importante en las gatas es que rara vez parecen enfermas hasta las \u00faltimas etapas de la piometra. Su abdomen puede parecer m\u00e1s grande y distendido debido al tama\u00f1o del \u00fatero lleno de secreci\u00f3n. Las gatas son estacionalmente poliestroles, lo que significa que entran en m\u00e1s ciclos de celo que las perras, lo que los hace especialmente susceptibles a contraer una piometra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Como se mencion\u00f3, una ovariohisterectom\u00eda (esterilizaci\u00f3n) es un procedimiento de rutina realizado por muchos veterinarios de pr\u00e1ctica general. Si tu gata o perra no est\u00e1 esterilizada, comun\u00edcate con tu veterinario local para hablar sobre la esterilizaci\u00f3n de tu mascota. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Castraci\u00f3n <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/span><\/span>Una castraci\u00f3n consiste en extirpar ambos test\u00edculos en un perro macho. Los test\u00edculos producen espermatozoides y las hormonas sexuales masculinas (testosterona), que son esenciales para la funci\u00f3n de la pr\u00f3stata. Pueden surgir varios problemas si un perro macho no est\u00e1 castrado. Esto incluye la hiperplasia prost\u00e1tica benigna (HPB), la prostatitis (infecci\u00f3n de la pr\u00f3stata) y el c\u00e1ncer testicular. Se han realizado varios estudios que muestran que la castraci\u00f3n de un perro macho tambi\u00e9n puede ayudar con el comportamiento de montaje, la eliminaci\u00f3n inapropiada y la agresi\u00f3n. Al igual que una esterilizaci\u00f3n, una castraci\u00f3n tambi\u00e9n es un procedimiento de rutina y puede ser realizado por la mayor\u00eda de los veterinarios de atenci\u00f3n primaria. Los gatos a menudo son castrados bajo sedaci\u00f3n y el procedimiento real puede tomar tan solo menos de 5 minutos en gatos.\u00a0 Se recomienda encarecidamente castrar a su mascota despu\u00e9s de los 6 meses de edad, sin embargo, existe controversia con respecto a los perros de razas grandes y el crecimiento\/desarrollo \u00f3seo. Se ha demostrado que la castraci\u00f3n temprana de un perro de raza grande afecta el crecimiento \u00f3seo y provoca problemas en las articulaciones en el futuro. En un refugio, las mascotas suelen ser castradas a una edad m\u00e1s temprana debido a fines de adopci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HPB (Hiperplasia Prost\u00e1tica Benigna)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Nico, un Ridgeback de Rodesia, despu\u00e9s de su cirug\u00eda de castraci\u00f3n.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A lo largo de la vida de un perro macho intacto, la gl\u00e1ndula prost\u00e1tica se agranda gradualmente debido a la constante secreci\u00f3n hormonal.  A medida que un perro macho intacto envejece, la pr\u00f3stata contin\u00faa agrand\u00e1ndose y eso puede provocar molestias o dolor. Esto se denomina HPB (hiperplasia prost\u00e1tica benigna) y, en \u00faltima instancia, puede interferir con la defecaci\u00f3n y el orine a medida que la pr\u00f3stata contin\u00faa agrand\u00e1ndose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los signos cl\u00ednicos de la HPB incluyen sangre en la orina, dificultad para orinar\/defecar e incontinencia. Sin embargo, estos signos son muy inespec\u00edficos y pueden parecerse a otras afecciones m\u00e9dicas como una infecci\u00f3n del tracto urinario, c\u00e1lculos en la vejiga, cristales en la vejiga o tumor en la vejiga. La castraci\u00f3n de un perro macho hace que la pr\u00f3stata se encoja debido a la disminuci\u00f3n de la secreci\u00f3n hormonal cuando se extirpan los test\u00edculos, lo que en \u00faltima instancia previene la HPB. Si un perro tiene HPB, es probable que necesite antiinflamatorios y analg\u00e9sicos. La extirpaci\u00f3n total de los test\u00edculos (castraci\u00f3n) es el tratamiento de elecci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

C\u00e1ncer testicular<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Los tumores testiculares son los tumores genitales m\u00e1s comunes que se encuentran en perros machos intactos. La mayor\u00eda de los tumores testiculares son malignos, lo que significa que tienen el potencial de propagarse a otras partes del cuerpo.  Los tumores testiculares suelen aparecer en perros mayores con una edad media de 10 a\u00f1os. Pueden crecer en uno o ambos test\u00edculos y los signos cl\u00ednicos incluyen test\u00edculos asim\u00e9tricos, dolor cerca de la ingle, hinchaz\u00f3n testicular y un test\u00edculo o test\u00edculos visiblemente m\u00e1s grandes. Otros signos incluyen falta de apetito, p\u00e9rdida de peso y letargo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El tratamiento de elecci\u00f3n es la castraci\u00f3n de la mascota. Dependiendo del tipo de c\u00e1ncer, es posible que se necesite un tratamiento adicional como radiaci\u00f3n o quimioterapia. Se realizan varios diagn\u00f3sticos antes de la cirug\u00eda, como radiograf\u00edas de t\u00f3rax para evaluar la met\u00e1stasis (diseminaci\u00f3n) y an\u00e1lisis de sangre. Castrar a tu mascota eliminar\u00e1 el riesgo de c\u00e1ncer testicular. Si tu perro macho est\u00e1 intacto y deseas programar una cirug\u00eda de castraci\u00f3n, comun\u00edcate con tu veterinario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cristales de cistina<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

El amino\u00e1cido cistina puede excretarse en la orina y provocar la formaci\u00f3n de c\u00e1lculos en la vejiga y los ri\u00f1ones. Aunque los cristales y c\u00e1lculos de cistina son raros, est\u00e1n influenciados por la presencia de hormonas sexuales. Este tipo de cristales y piedras son comunes en los perros machos intactos y requieren cirug\u00eda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los signos cl\u00ednicos pueden incluir esfuerzo para orinar, sangre en la orina y episodios frecuentes de micci\u00f3n. Debido a la diferencia anat\u00f3mica en machos y hembras, la obstrucci\u00f3n urinaria es m\u00e1s com\u00fan en los machos y se trata de una emergencia m\u00e9dica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comun\u00edcate con tu veterinario local para hablar m\u00e1s sobre la esterilizaci\u00f3n y castraci\u00f3n de tu mascota, ya que hay muchos beneficios y se pueden evitar varias complicaciones si se realiza a una edad temprana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Dr. Ang\u00e9lica Calder\u00f3n<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Images of Medical District staff and patients by Veronica<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Read in Spanish Ovariohysterectomy (Spay) Did you know that 25% of female dogs that are not spayed develop mammary tumors? Mammary tumors are commonly diagnosed in older intact female dogs, and the incidence of the development of mammary tumors in dogs is even higher than in humans. A spay surgery, also called an ovariohysterectomy, involves […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-health-wellness","category-reproductive-health"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Spay or Neuter Your Pet? | Medical District Veterinary Clinic<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dr. Ang\u00e9lica Calder\u00f3n advises clients to spay and neuter their pets because intact pets are subject to several health problems.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicaldistrictvet.com\/blog\/why-should-you-spay-or-neuter-your-dog-or-cat\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Spay or Neuter Your Pet? 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