Spay us now or spay us later

I signed another sympathy card last week for the family of a wonderful female golden retriever that died from mammary adenocarcinoma (breast cancer).  This type of cancer would most certainly have been prevented if she had been spayed at an appropriate age earlier in her life.  Every time this happens it reinforces my belief in spaying and neutering.  I routinely inform our clients that it is not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when” and “what” hormone dependent disease we will deal with in their pets’ later years if they are not spayed or neutered. The lifespan of spayed and neutered pets statistically are a year longer due to the list of diseases that can no longer afflict your pet.         

Jeffrey Vogl, DVM

November 28, 2012