Tag Archives: spay and neuter

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Health

Why is Spaying and Neutering So Important?

Did you know that your pet might be able to spayed or neutered at as young as eight weeks of age? It’s a critical procedure for your pet, but do you know why? Learn more about the many benefits of spaying and neutering as your Roanoke, VA veterinarian elaborates below.

It Eliminates Health Risks

First of all, spaying and neutering is a great thing for your pet’s health. It virtually eliminates the risk of genital cancers, and also makes other cancer types like prostate and breast cancer far less likely to occur. Even other reproductive- and urinary-system problems, such as urinary tract infections, aren’t as likely to happen in pets who have had the procedure performed. All in all, it’s one of the best things you’ll ever do for your pet’s health.

It Improves Behavior

Pets who have had the spay or neuter procedure done tend to behave far better than those who haven’t. Without those pesky hormones coursing through their system, a spayed or neutered pet isn’t as likely to exhibit bad behaviors like urine spraying and house soiling, loud vocalization, aggression toward owners or other pets, chewing, scratching, or digging, and more. The procedure certainly won’t make your animal friend a perfectly behaved pet, but it goes a long way toward keeping your companion mild-mannered and under control.

There’s a Lower Risk of Escape

When intact pets reach the age of sexual maturity, they’ll start to feel an insatiable desire to seek a mate. It’s particularly a problem for dogs, who have been known to escape by whatever means necessary—even chewing through entire doors or digging under fencing in your yard. It’s just not worth the risk of dealing with a lost pet! Having your companion spayed or neutered early on in life means that they won’t feel the desire to escape when mating season arrives.

There’s a Broader Benefit

Spaying or neutering your pet has another much bigger benefit: the greater good. Millions of pets go homeless or must be euthanized every year, simply because of overpopulation. Don’t let your pet to contribute to the problem by breeding in an unrestricted way—you’re not only saving yourself a litter of unexpected puppies or kittens, you’re benefiting the homeless pet population.

Does your pet need spayed or neutered? Contact your Roanoke, VA veterinary clinic right away to set up an office visit. We’re always here to help!

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Health

Lengthen Your Pet’s Life With These 5 Tips

Who wouldn’t want to spend as many joyful years as possible with their beloved pet? By following a few basic healthcare essentials, you’ll be able to lengthen your companion’s life and enjoy their company for as long as possible. Below, your Roanoke, VA veterinarian offers five tips for lengthening your pet’s lifespan.

Practice Preventative Care

Preventative medicine is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy long-term and avoid dangerous diseases, infections, infestations, and other problems. Keep your pet up-to-date on essential vaccinations to ward off diseases like parvovirus, distemper, rabies, hepatitis, and others. Make sure they’re wearing seasonal or year-round preventative medicines to get rid of fleas, ticks, and worms.

Feed a Great Diet

Feeding your dog or cat a high-quality, well-balanced diet in the proper portion size is one of the easiest ways to make sure they stay healthy and happy for a lifetime. This way, they receive all the essential nutrients that they require for good health and weight. If your pet’s diet could use an upgrade, talk to your veterinarian to get a recommendation that suits your pet’s needs.

Exercise Regularly

Coupled with a great diet, regular exercise is essential to your pet’s lifelong health and fitness. Set aside time on a daily basis to get your pet moving—jog around the backyard, go on a brisk walk around the block, or romp around at home with a favorite toy. This will allow your pet to burn off excess calories and get a good workout every day.

Spay and Neuter

Having your companion spayed or neutered early on in life will set them up for a lifetime of good health. Spaying and neutering doesn’t just prevent unplanned litters; it eliminates various cancer risks and even makes relatively common ailments like urinary tract infections far less likely. It’s a cost-effective way to avoid major health problems in the future, and it’s sure to help lengthen your pet’s lifespan!

See Your Veterinarian

Don’t forget: regular veterinary check-ups are another essential part of keeping your pet healthy for years to come. When your vet examines your companion regularly, any health concerns can be caught early and treated as necessary. Your vet can also monitor your pet’s health over time and make recommendations for the future.

Does your pet need spayed or neutered? Have questions about vaccinations, pest-control products, or diet choice? Contact your Roanoke, VA veterinarian today!

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Care

5 Easy Ways to Save on Pet Care Costs

It would definitely be nice to save a little money here and there when it comes to our pets. How do you do that without sacrificing—or, even better, benefiting—your four-legged companion’s health? Here are five quick tips from your Roanoke, VA veterinarian:

Practice Preventative Medicine

Keep your pet up-to-date on essential vaccinations to ward off diseases like parvovirus, influenza, distemper, hepatitis, leukemia, Lyme disease, rabies, and others. It’s also important that your pet wears preventative medicines to keep fleas, ticks, and parasitic worms at bay. Preventative measures like these are both more effective than treatment and far cheaper!

Spay and Neuter

Did you know that spaying and neutering your pet early on in life is a great way to save money? Not only does it prevent unplanned litters and the costs associated with them, but it benefits your pet’s health by eliminating various cancer risks, as well as the likelihood of more common ailments like urinary tract infections. These health issues will be expensive to treat or manage later; avoid the cost and hassle initially via the spaying or neutering procedure.

Use Portion Control

Overfeeding your pet wastes food, meaning you’ll have to buy more food more frequently. It also contributes to dangerous obesity, which is costly and time-consuming to reverse. Obesity can even lead to a host of other health issues, including heart problems and arthritis.

Portion control is a simple way to avoid all of these issues and save yourself money. Ask your veterinarian for advice on an exact serving size for your particular pet.

Adopt, Don’t Shop

Here’s a way to save money on pet care before you’ve even brought your companion home: adopt from a rescue organization rather than purchasing a pet from a pet store or breeder. The adoption fee is almost always far less than a price tag!

Skip the Novelties

It’s easy to get caught up in pet novelty items, like fun costumes or pet perfumes. These types of purchases are fine to indulge in every once in a while, but be aware that overdoing it will put a real strain on your wallet! Remember: your pet will be perfectly happy with the essentials. If you’re trying to save money, you might want to skip that name-brand pet parka!

Does your animal friend need preventative healthcare measures or a veterinary exam? Schedule a visit at your Roanoke, VA pet clinic today.