Vet's Views
Neutering has positive impact on pets
Q: I have just adopted a 4-month–old golden retriever male pup. My vet suggests I should get it neutered. What are spaying and neutering and how would that help? Deepak Pandey
Most vets recommend the procedure for pets around six months of age. Both of these surgeries essentially remove the sex organs from your pet. Spaying and neutering have a positive impact on your pet’s behavior and health, as well as helping the larger pet community. When female cats and dogs are spayed, the pet’s ovaries and uterus are removed. Male pets that are neutered are castrated, or have their testicles surgically removed. The removal of testicals will help eliminate the possibility of your male cat or dog getting testicular cancer. For female cats and dogs that are spayed, the risk of breast cancer is reduced, and the removal of the pet’s uterus means that uterine cancer can no longer occur. Neutered males are calmer and less likely to fight, and may also be more affectionate. When pets are not neutered, mating becomes a fixation and a male will seek to leave your home on a quest for a lady cat or dog. Once neutered, males will lose this instinct to escape, as well as the desire to mark their territory, bite, and hump inappropriately.
Q: For sometime, I have noticed that my pet is having trouble chewing. Her mouth smells bad and the teeth have darkish yellow coating. Can she have developed some gum or tooth disease? Parul Mishra
Yes. Gum disease causes plaque to form around the tooth line causing inflammation (gingivitis). Early signs of gingivitis are redness around the gum line, bleeding, inability or discomfort while eating, and bad breath. As treatment, your veterinarian may recommend professional cleaning. Teeth needing repairs like fillings or root canals can be fixed, and teeth beyond repair can be removed. Also, many products are available to assist you in keeping your pet’s mouth healthy from toothbrushes and toothpaste specifically manufactured for pets to dental care treats and even dental care additives to put in your pet’s water bowl. Tooth cleaning towlettes as well as finger-shaped dental treatment devices are also available for owners whose pets may be less cooperative for tooth brushing. Also, tartar-control food is available for both dogs and cats. Your vet can help you determine which home treatments are best for your pet.
Q: I have been gifted a Pomeranian puppy. What vaccinations does she need? Shikha Saxena
Young puppies who are nursing from their mothers receive important antibodies in the mother’s milk to help protect them from disease. However, starting at about 6 to 8 weeks of age, these antibodies begin to lose their effectiveness. The vaccinations your puppy will receive contain antigens, which mimic disease-causing pathogens. All puppies should begin receiving their core vaccinations (those recommend for all pets) at around 6 weeks. The core vaccines for puppies protect against distemper, canine parvovirus, canine hepatitis, and rabies. In addition to these core vaccines, there are a number of non-core vaccines available to pets living in certain geographic locations or in conditions that put them at risk. Ask your veterinarian which vaccinations are right for your pet. Most pets will also receive vaccination boosters either every year or three years, depending on the vaccine.
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