Really, what’s cuter than a litter of fluffy puppies and kittens? But what happens to many of these little bundles of joy is heartbreaking. Each day, almost 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S., and this baby boom means most are unable to find the permanent, loving homes they need. Unfortunately, the overcrowding in the nation’s animal shelters means almost 3 million pets are euthanized each year.
As a responsible pet owner, the best way to prevent overpopulation—and protect your pet’s long-term health—is to get your dog or cat spayed or neutered at a St. Louis area vet clinic as soon as possible.
While it’s best to have your pet fixed around the age of four to eight months, dogs and cats can be spayed or neutered at any time in their lives. However, surgery can be more dangerous as pets grow older, and it takes them longer to bounce back after getting their procedure.
When your pet undergoes surgery at Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon, you’re provided with peace of mind knowing they’re receiving the ultimate in care from a top-rated veterinarian. All pets receive an extensive care plan to ensure their comfort and safety at every step of the procedure:
Although they may be in minimal pain or appear lethargic after surgery, most pets mend quickly from their spay or neuter. To assist in their recovery, it’s important to limit your pet’s activity for 10 to 14 days, keep them inside as much as possible, observe their incision daily to look for any swelling or drainage, and administer pain medications as recommended by your veterinarian.
The most obvious reason to get your pet spayed or neutered is to prevent your home from being overrun by a surprise litter. But there are so many reasons beyond unplanned pregnancies, and they’re just as important:
Don’t wait to get your pet the spay and neuter surgery they need. Schedule their appointment today by calling our veterinary clinic in Glen Carbon at 618-288-3971. You can also enroll in our Wellness Membership Program, which allows you to pay for your pet’s surgery on a monthly payment plan and save money in the process.
Hawthorne Animal Hospital, a small animal hospital and veterinary clinic, serves St. Louis Metro East area, including the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Troy, Alton, Granite City, Collinsville, Highland, Wood River, Roxana, Bethalto, Godfrey, Worden, and Hamel.
