Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital 2009 / What to Expect When You’re Expecting…a New Pet

What to Expect When You’re Expecting…a New Pet

by Shannon M. Pecora, M.A.

Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

As many new pet owners quickly find out, the first year or so of a puppy or kitten’s life can be very involved, and even expensive. There are vaccines that need multiple boosters, dewormings to get rid of or prevent intestinal parasites, and training classes for instilling good manners and obedience skills. Costly and time-consuming as these things can be, they are also wonderful preventive measures to help ensure a healthy adult life for the new little ones.

One of the most important steps to take generally comes at about six months of age. This is usually the best time to schedule your puppy or kitten’s spay or neuter surgery. For female pets, the spay surgery keeps the pet’s family from having to deal with the heat cycle. Additionally, it greatly reduces the risk for cancer later in life, as the reproductive organs are among the most susceptible to such illnesses. Neutering your male pet will reduce his cancer and illness risks as well, as an enlarged prostate is one of the biggest worries for unneutered pets. The neuter surgery may also help prevent dominance and breed-instinct aggression in your male pet. Essentially, having your pet spayed or neutered during the first year of life lets your pet enjoy not only a faster and easier recovery immediately following surgery, but also a better chance at an increased lifespan.

The occasion of the surgery also affords you other opportunities for preventive health measures. For example, large breed dogs can have radiographs, or x-rays, while under anesthesia for the spay or neuter procedure. The anesthesia allows doctors or technicians to position the hips, without pain to or struggle from the pet, in the best way to reveal early signs of hip dysplasia. Similar to arthritis in some ways, hip dysplasia is a joint problem that can become very painful, especially as a dog ages. If we can spot the existence of the condition early on, we can begin preventive and maintenance care, such as joint supplements and weight control, and hopefully avoid serious debilitation or further surgery in the pet’s adult or senior years.

As we take care of our new pet’s health, we can also help ensure his or her safety. At the time of the spay or neuter surgery, the veterinarian can implant a microchip as well. Smaller than a grain of rice, this chip, placed under the skin between the shoulder blades, can be registered with the pet owner’s name, address, and phone number. Many veterinary offices and animal shelters have microchip scanners that will reveal your pet’s home if he or she gets lost. The needle used to implant the chip is a bit larger than the standard vaccine needle, so, again, the anesthesia of the surgical procedure will keep your pet from feeling any possible pain associated with its placement.

Along with the vaccines, dewormings, training classes, and the million and one other things to do when your family adopts a new puppy or kitten, surgery, x-rays, and microchipping may just seem like more to add to an overwhelming list. However, such measures taken early in life may save you a lot of trouble later on. Aside from preventing litters of unwanted puppies and kittens, having your pet spayed or neutered gives your new furry family member the chance for a longer, happier, healthier life.