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Identifying and Managing Your Pet’s Pain

sentinel pet care — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:57:59 +0000

What You Need to Know About Pet Pain Management

As professional pet sitters and dog walkers we see pets of all ages and are often distraught to see older pets in chronic pain that goes untreated. Not long ago there were few pain medications available for our pets, but fortunately, within the last decade many medications have been developed to help our pets be more comfortable. Most pet owners that we’ve talked to over the years are surprised to learn that these medications even exist and sometimes don’t recognize that what’s going on with their pets is actually chronic pain from arthritis or an injury. More disturbing is that we also see many pets who have recently seen their veterinarian and they haven’t even suggested using the many effective medications available for a pet that is suffering! There is no reason that your pet should suffer in pain when there are so many effective treatments available. If your vet isn’t helping your pet manage chronic pain, ask them why they aren’t and be prepared to change to a more knowledgable vet. Vets are people too and as in any other profession, they are only as good as they want to be. We have encountered several vets who do nothing more than offer Glucosamine/Chondroitin, which is supposed to support joint health by repairing lost cartilage, as a treatment for a pet in severe pain. Glucosamine/Chondroitin is not only worthless as a pain reliever, but recent studies show that these supplements provide no benefit at all in rebuilding cartilage. All you probably need to know about this supplement is that it’s worldwide sales are upwards of $2 Billion. So as someone who has seen many horror stories in the last 17 years, we all need to be well informed consumers, protect our pets, and perform our own research and due diligence so that we can ask our vets the appropriate questions rather than blindly following their advice. If you have a pet that suffers from chronic pain, whether it be from arthritis or an injury, here are the basics that you need to know to help you become more knowledgable so you can provide the care your pet deserves.

Pain Management for Dogs

The principal drugs used in managing arthritic pain are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, or “NSAID’s”.NSAID’s are not new and most of we humans take them on a frequent basis: Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), Naproxen (Aleve) and Aspirin. However, there is a huge difference between the medications we take and those designed for dogs. Never, ever give your dog any type of pain medication without first checking with your veterinarian. NSAID’s developed for our pets work in a similar fashion by reducing inflammation and swelling, controlling pain and stiffness, and helping our dogs heal better and faster. However, dog physiology is very different than ours in many ways and they process and metabolize these drugs differently. Typically they’re used to control chronic pain such as arthritis just as Ibuprofen and Naproxen do for us, but giving even a child’s dose of a drug like Tylenol, for example, could kill your pet. NSAID’s must be prescribed by your veterinarian and require a simple blood test to make sure that your dog’s liver is functioning properly in order to metabolize the medication. The most popular medications available from your vet are:

Rimadyl
Etogesic
Metacam
Zubrin
Deramaxx
Previcox
Novox

Fortunately, NSAID’s for dogs are available in many forms too; caplets, tablets, liquids and injections. This makes administering the medications very simple. Generally, you can hide the pills in practically anything for most dogs, but if you have a finicky dog don’t forget about Pill Pockets and similar products. They’re soft, flavored treats designed for hiding medications and you just pop the pill or tablet in the hole, fold it over and give it to your pet as a treat. Most dogs and even many cats that we care for eat them without thinking twice.

Pain Management for Cats. Well, It’s Complicated

Unfortunately, things aren’t so simple when it comes to managing pain in our cats. Cats are very unique animals (like we didn’t know that already) and, likewise, have very unique biological systems. Unlike humans and dogs, cats lack a very important liver enzyme pathway which makes them very sensitive to NSAID’s and other pain killer drugs. However, extensive research has shown that some of these products can be used cautiously for cats too, such as Metacam, either for short periods, at lengthened dosage intervals, or at a lower dosage levels. There is also a new NSAID on the market for both dogs and cats called Onsior (robenacoxib). This drug is still very new, only receiving FDA approval early this year, but is still no panacea. It has very specific guidelines for administering it to cats and for short durations. So please check with your vet if you suspect your cat suffers from chronic pain to see what course of treatment will work best.

Signs of Chronic Pain in Pets

Unfortunately, one of the most difficult things in this process is to diagnose that your pet is in pain in the first place. It’s simple if your pet just had surgery or experienced some type of injury or trauma, but our pets are notorious for being very stoic and hiding their pain…especially cats. Here are some of the typical warning signs that your pet is experiencing pain:

Reduction in appetite or not eating at all
Hiding and reduced interest in people and attention
Lethargy
Sitting immobilized, hunched or in an awkward stance
Favoring a sore part of the body
Shivering or shaking, especially hind legs while standing (Elvis legs)
Difficulty in lying down or sitting
Soiling in the house because it’s more painful to get outside to eliminate or in the litter box
Aggression, growling or snapping when being touched
Loss of normal social interactions with other pets
Vocalizing, growling, hissing, yowling
Agitation or restlessness
Fast, shallow breathing and panting if the air temperature is not a causal factor

If you suspect that your pet is experiencing pain take them to your vet where they can also check body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate and pattern to get a more complete picture. It is important to control pain in your pet. Uncontrolled pain will reduce its healing ability, leads to weight loss and debility, and increases risk of infections due to weakened immune system function. Unexplained changes in your pet’s behavior should not be ignored since they can be an early warning sign of pain. Remember, our pets can’t tell us when they’re in pain, so it’s up to us to pay attention to any changes in behavior and take appropriate action.

Warning Signs

NSAID’s for pets have been proven safe and effective just as they have been with humans, but they’re also not without risk and potential side effects in rare cases and especially if used improperly and not as directed. Be very careful and follow the administration instructions carefully and note any changes in your pet while using these medications. Read the client information sheet specific to the medication that your pet is prescribed and familiarize yourself with the potential side effects. Some of the most common side effects are as follows:

Decrease or increase in appetite
Vomiting
Change in bowel movements (diarrhea, black, tarry, or bloody stools)
Change in behavior (decreased or increased activity level)
Seizure, aggression, or lack of coordination
Yellowing of gums, skin, or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Change in drinking habits (frequency or amount consumed)
Change in urination habits (frequency, color, or smell)
Change in skin (redness, scabs, or scratching)

Should you notice any of these symptoms, stop giving the medication and contact your vet immediately.

Other Ways You Can Help Your Pet

In addition to having your pet on the proper medication there are a few other things you can do to make your pet more comfortable. Omega 3 Fatty Acids (cold water fish oils) have been shown to help reduce inflammation. You can buy Omega 3′s in liquid capsule or in a bottle that you can squirt on your pet’s food. A good quality pet bed is also very important so that you pet can lie down comfortably to take the pressure off their sore joints or other affected areas. Be sure to get a bed with plenty of cushioning, especially for heavier dogs, and perhaps even buy a memory foam orthopedic bed for maximum relief. Feed your pet a high quality pet food (Eagle Pack, Canidae, Orijen, Acana, Blue Buffalo to name a few) and feed them the appropriate amount to keep them at their ideal weight. Excess weight on a pet, just as with people, only exacerbates the pain by putting excess pressure and stress on the joints. If your pet is experiencing pain please be sure to keep young children from roughly handling and playing with them to avoid further injury as well as to avoid potential biting and scratching of your children.

The Bottom Line

If you suspect your pet is experiencing pain be sure to pay attention to the warning signs. Seek veterinary care sooner rather than later and educate yourself about the many medication treatment options available to you today and discuss them with your vet. Remember, NEVER give your pet any pain medications not prescribed or discussed with your vet and don’t increase dosages of prescribed medications without your vet’s approval.

Thanksgiving and Healthy Pets

sentinel pet care — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:21:36 +0000

How To Keep Your Pets Healthy During the Holidays

With Thanksgiving just a few days away it’s time to think of family, friends, great food and, of course, pet safety! It’s our natural tendency to want to share some of the holiday feast with our pets, but here are a few things to keep in mind before you do.

The Food

While it’s ok to feed your pet a little turkey, don’t feed any skin because of its high fat content. And when I say “Little”, I mean just one or two small strips. It’s important to make sure the turkey is well-cooked, otherwise there’s the ever present danger that it can contain salmonella bacteria which can be deadly. It’s also important to never give cooked bones of any kind to your pet as they will splinter when chewed and cause choking, esophageal tears and/or obstructions in your pet’s digestive tract.

Ingredients

It’s important to remember that some of the foods that are commonplace at our Thanksgiving dinners are also potentially very dangerous to our pets. For example, the common herbs sage and nutmeg contain essential oils and resins that can cause not only gastrointestinal problems but they can even effect the central nervous system if ingested in sufficient quantities. Not that your pet has a burning desire to grab a mouthful of sage or nutmeg, but as pet sitters we have seen dogs eat paper towels, socks, and even underwear! So make sure your pet can’t get their paws on even a little of these herbs! It’s important to note that cats are even more sensitive than dogs in this regard. If you make your own homemade bread, be sure not to feed your pet any raw dough. When raw bread dough is ingested, an animals body heat causes the dough to rise in its stomach just like an oven. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency requiring surgery. Desserts and other dishes that also contain raw batters or ingredients, especially the ones containing eggs, also have the risk of carrying salmonella bacteria. So its better to be safe than sorry and just avoid letting your pet have any raw items. Don’t forget to avoid the always dangerous ingredients too: onions, raisins, grapes, chocolate, garlic, etc.

Supplies

Be sure to properly dispose of used aluminum foil, turkey pop-ups, skewers, string, oven bags, plastic wrap, wax paper, and all other disposable supplies that have been enticingly flavored with turkey juice and all the fixings. Like the proverbial moth to the flame, your pet will be tempted to lick, chew and swallow these items, which can lead to choking, obstructions or at least gastrointestinal upset. If your dog is prone to explore the trash can (which we see on occasion often with unfortunate results) one trick to keep in mind is to wrap all the used cooking supplies in a fresh sheet of foil and then place that in a bag and then in the trash can, and preferably one with a lid they can’t open. Better still, just take it all outside right after you clean up to avoid all problems from the outset.

Guests and Anxiety

You may also consider feeding your pets before everyone sits for dinner to reduce the temptation for begging and stealing. One way to avoid any mishaps is to make sure each guest knows the rules from the beginning so that no one feeds scraps from the table. A little bit here and there from each person can add up to an enormous amount of calories and fats for a pet as well as certain gastrointestinal issues. It may be best to use a gate or simply put your pet in another room until after dinner for their safety, and to eliminate begging and all the potential problems listed above. Once the table is clear, it’s yet another opportunity for your pet to jump up and snatch any scraps left on the table or countertops, so take precautions if you have a larger dog prone to counter-surfing or an inquisitive cat. And, it’s always a good idea to make sure your pet has an ID tag or microchip in case they escape. There will be many opportunities to slip out with the door constantly opening and closing for all the guests to come and go. If you have an already anxious pet you can use the same techniques suggested in our Halloween post: keep them gated in another part of the house or crated in a quiet room with the radio, television or white noise generator on to ease their anxiety. Holiday gatherings can be very stressful and the frenetic energy only exacerbates anxiety in some pets.

Overall, it’s perfectly normal and ok for your pet to have a small amount of turkey, a taste of mashed potatoes, and little dribble of gravy over their kibble for dinner, but DON’T allow your pets to overindulge. Many pets we care for have sensitive stomachs and too much of anything out of the ordinary will cause at least a case of stomach upset, diarrhea and, as I know from personal experience, my dogs can clear a room after having just a few bites of turkey or chicken. All kidding aside, one very serious condition of overindulgence is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis which can be caused and exacerbated by fatty foods. Pancreatitis is a very serious condition and we have seen pets die from complications caused by it. So please, share the holiday with your pets, that is why they are part of our families after all, but realize that too much of a good thing can indeed be dangerous. As the old saying goes, everything in moderation. We at Sentinel hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Halloween Pet Safety

sentinel pet care — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:21:43 +0000

How To Help Your Pet Have a Safe Halloween

Halloween not only means costumes, candy and trick or treaters, it also means some added stressors to our pets. Here are a few safety and health issues to keep in mind so that you and your pets can safely enjoy the holiday.

Decorations

For many pets, new objects and decorations around the house and yard are just new things to investigate. Cords, wires, and jack-o-lanterns can be a potential fire hazard or cause serious burns if chewed or knocked over. Be careful to place them so that your pet cannot access them or knock them over. Also keep your inquisitive chewer away from yard decorations that have small parts that can be chewed off and swallowed.

Candy

Almost all candy can be toxic to your pets. Chocolate is a big danger for your pet because it contains Theobromine, a naturally occurring stimulant in the cocoa bean. It affects the central nervous system and the heart, and is toxic in sufficient quantities. Artificial sweeteners, such as Xylitol can be downright deadly to your pet. Found in chewing gum and candy, Xylitol, even in small quantities, is absorbed quickly and causes a release of enzymes which causes blood sugar levels to drop. Pets can become very lethargic and can have seizures. The sweetener also destroys liver tissue and can cause internal bleeding. While the contents of treats can be dangerous to you pet, they also aren’t going to go through all the trouble of unwrapping them, so the wrapping can also become a choking hazard. So please err on the side of caution and keep all candy and treats out of your pets’ reach.

Trick-or-Treaters

A constant influx of vampires, zombies and assorted monsters banging at your door and making loud noises could cause a lot of stress to most pets. If your pet doesn’t have the temperament for it or you won’t be able to properly supervise, it’s better to keep your pet in a room where it doesn’t have to deal with all the commotion. Turn on the radio to 91.5 (Classical Music) or use a white noise generator or air purifier to provide a sound buffer for your anxious pet. A perpetually opening door could also be an opportunity to escape for those that like to run, so be on guard if your pet won’t be locked away in another room.

Dog Costumes

People aren’t the only one’s wearing costumes these days. If you have a costume for your pet, please make sure s/he is comfortable and calm while wearing it. It can be stressful to have a tight fitting costume if your pet isn’t used to it. Also be sure there aren’t any buttons, beads or other small adornments that your dog can chew and possibly choke on.

So this Halloween take a few simple precautions to make it a safe and enjoyable one for you and your pets.

How to “Pet Proof” Your Home

sentinel pet care — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:27:17 +0000

Pet Proofing Your Home

One of the most important and cost effective things you can do to ensure the safety of your pet is to “pet proof” your home. Pet proofing means removing dangerous items from your pet’s reach, being aware of the many potential hazards that your pet may encounter and thinking ahead about situations which could cause your pet harm.

As Pet Sitters we’ve seen some pretty hilarious things as well as some horrible situations. Some of the most common issues we see are dogs having easy access to very dangerous food items, chemicals, drugs and medications, and trash cans.

Some of the common deadly food items include:

chocolate
grapes
raisins
onions
garlic
nuts
tomatoes
fruit pits
chicken and all other cooked bones
coffee grounds and beans, and
alcohol, to name a few.

Household dangers include choking and obstruction hazards such as:

food wrappers
plastic bags
coins
small toys
hair ties
rubber bands
small clothing items like socks and underwear, shoes and laces
electrical cords
rawhide bones
holiday decorations
string and yarn (especially for cats)
batteries. Batteries in fact are not only choking hazards, but we’ve also seen extreme burns and abscesses of the tongue and soft tissue of the mouth because dogs have chewed through the battery casing and were burned by the acid inside.

There are also over 700 house plants that are poisonous to our pets including:

Lilies
Tulips
Azaleas
Poinsettias
Bird of Paradise
Daffodils
English Ivy
Hyacinth
Holly and Mistletoe (see our upcoming tips on preparing your pets for the holidays).

We’ve also seen pets become very ill and even die from ingesting human medications like:

Ibuprofen and other pain killers
vitamins
prescription medications
cold medications
cremes and ointments
and even flavored prescription medications for your pet that were left out where the pet could access the entire bottle.

Other household dangers include anti-freeze, cleaning products, fertilizer, garden chemicals, rodent poisons and pesticides, insecticides, mulch, and de-icing salt.

If you have a pet that has the propensity to rummage through the trash can, please keep the can in a latched cabinet or buy one with a closable lid that snaps shut. If you have a larger breed dog then this is a moot point because s/he is capable of figuring out how to pop it open or simply knock it over spilling the contents on the floor. Dogs can smell 100 times better than we humans and can be ingenious and diligent at acquiring something they smell in the trash can.
We see many “counter surfing” dogs too, so please be conscious of what types of things you leave out oncounter tops, bed side tables, end tables, and coffee tables. Also be sure to close the toilet bowl lid to prevent drowning of smaller pets and to keep your dog from drinking any harmful cleaning chemicals and bacteria.
Our feline friends are certainly not immune to these dangers. In addition we know that cats and kittens love warm places, so please make sure that they haven’t found a comfy spot in or behind the dryer before you start it. Be aware of where your cats are before you close doors, closets and drawers. We have found cats unknowingly locked in bedroom closets and coat closets many times during our first visit to a home. Be sure to adjust any loose draw strings from curtains or blinds. It can be very easy for them to become entangled and possibly choke themselves. Repair any broken or torn window screens as this could be a possible escape route or deadly falling hazard for a pet. And be sure that all heating and air vents have appropriate covers to keep cats from exploring and becoming trapped in the ducts.
Should your pet encounter one of these dangers it’s important for you to know the danger signs and symptoms of pet poisoning. These can include vomiting, diarrhea significant or foamy salivation, lethargy, difficulty breathing, seizures, or paralysis.

If you suspect that your pet had been poisoned, please call your vet, or if they’re closed we recommend and utilize Pet ER on Cromwell Bridge Road, (410) 252-8387, http://www.pet-er.net/, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435, http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/. Be aware that there is a charge for the ASPCA service.

Ultimately your pet’s health depends on you, so please do everything you can to provide a safe environment for them. Knowing the many potential hazards can help you keep your pets safe, healthy and happy.

Why Should You Spay/Neuter Your Pets?

sentinel pet care — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:38:37 +0000

What You Need to Know About Spaying & Neutering

For me the decision to spay or neuter my pets has always been a non-issue. It’s a simple, automatic decision to have all of my pets spayed or neutered and I assumed that most people thought this was a no-brainer too. That was until a recent conversation with a client who was struggling with the decision because of conflicting information they received from friends and family as well as having a trusted veterinarian urging them not to do it. I was amazed, dumbfounded even, that a vet of all people, would say such a thing given all the positive benefits of doing so (look for a future post about how to tell when you need to find a new veterinarian). Therefore, I thought I should blog about the spay/neuter decision to help others who may be struggling with this issue. So let’s start out with what exactly spaying and neutering is, followed by some of the misinformation and outright lies, and then the actual benefits for you and your pet.

What is Spaying/Neutering?

Spaying is the surgical sterilization of a female animal by removing the ovaries, oviduct, and uterus. Neutering is the surgical sterilization of a male by removing the testicles and spermatic cord. Both procedures are perfectly safe and must be performed by a qualified veterinarian. You can have the procedure done as early as 8 weeks of age. The ideal age is 4 to 6 months, and before their first heat.

Amazingly, there are still a ton of myths and urban legends floating around that often confuse people when they’re trying to make this decision. Here are a few of the more popular myths:

Myth #1: It's simply wrong to neuter a male, OR, only females should be sterilized because they're the ones that have litters.

First, many people, particularly men, have a hard time sterilizing their pets, especially their male pets, thereby projecting upon their pets their own fears about losing the ability to reproduce. A dog or cat will not feel like less of a “woman” or like an inadequate “man” after being spayed/neutered. This is anthropomorphizing; projecting your human feelings onto something that’s not human. Your dog or cat absolutely will not suffer an ego crisis or lament the loss of its reproductive ability. Pets don’t think in this way. People do. Your pet will only have one less biological urge to fulfill. Secondly, it takes two to Tango. In fact, males can father far more young than a female could ever produce in a lifetime. And we know what happens if your unaltered male escapes the house or yard and mates with an intact female. This is one reason why we still have millions of unwanted animals euthanized each year in the U.S.

Myth #2: I want my children to see the miracle of birth.

Rather than subject an animal the stress of producing a litter, I would strongly suggest watching a program on the National Geographic channel rather than bringing more unwanted animals into a world where there just aren’t enough good homes to house them all. There are other much better and more humane ways of teaching children about birth that do not involve bringing unwanted animals into this world. A visit to a farm or a zoo can show them the same thing as can numerous videos and books on the subject. Also, assuming you are taking full responsibility for this decision, you would also have the expenses of proper veterinary care for an entire litter as well as the financial expense, and time and energy burden of finding homes for them all.

Myth #3: Don't worry, we'll find homes for the litter OR the animal shelter will take the litter.

That sounds good on paper, however, for every new animal that’s brought into this world, there are many others waiting to be adopted from humane societies and animal shelters. Shelters do their best to place animals in good homes, but they can’t perform miracles. We walk many, many dogs in Towson, Baltimore and surrounding communities and we see the reality each and every day: The number of homeless animals far exceeds the number of willing adopters. This leaves many loving and healthy animals in our communities that must be euthanized as the only humane solution to this heart wrenching problem. Only spaying and neutering can end the overpopulation problem. Did you know that there are still over 4 million pets euthanized in U.S. animal shelters each year because there simply aren’t enough good homes to adopt them?! Playing amateur breeder at home only contributes to an already overwhelming problem.

Myth #4: Females should be allowed to have one litter for their general health.

All I can say is….What!? There is no reason for a female to have a litter. She will mature properly without it and does not “need” to have a litter. It will not improve her health or permanently change her personality. In fact, spaying your pet before her first heat will significantly reduce her chances of developing various cancers later in life. See below.

Myth #5: Spaying or neutering my pet will make it fat.

Just flat out, absolutely wrong! The only things that will make your pet fat are the same things that make people fat: Eating too much, eating high calorie and fattening (people) foods like cheese and snacks, and a lack of exercise. I can’t help but wonder where these ideas come from. Probably from the same guy who sees Alligators in the sewers of NYC.

Myth #6: Spaying/Neutering is too expensive.

Well, if you didn’t know about the low cost spay/neuter information I’m about to give you, or your vet neglected to tell you about them, then you could spend a couple hundred dollars on the procedure. But even at that cost, it would still be worth the many benefits to your pet and pets at large. However, the fact is that there are many low cost programs available and the cost of having your pet spayed/neutered plus the benefits of doing so far outweigh the monetary and humane costs if you don’t. On average you can expect to spend less that $75 to have your average size pet sterilized. Here are some programs….some of these links also have other resources not listed here.

SNAP, Inc. PO Box 686 Chesapeake City, MD 21915 410-885-5783

Animal Rescue, Inc. (on the MD/PA line) PO Box 35 Maryland Line, MD 21105 717-993-3232 Email: AnimalRescue@aol.com

Baltimore Humane Society 1601 Nicodemus Rd. Reisterstown, MD 21136 410-833-4480 or 410-833-8848

Maryland SPCA 3300 Falls Rd. Baltimore, MD 21211 410-235-8826

Myth #7: Spaying/Neutering will change my pet's personality.

True, but for the better. A dog’s basic personality is influenced more by environment and genetics than by sex hormones, so spaying/neutering will not change your dog’s basic personality, make your dog sluggish or affect its natural instincts. It will, however, give you a more well behaved pet because neutered dogs have less desire to roam, mark their territory, exert dominance over the pack, and hump your leg. Sterilized dogs are more affectionate and less likely to bite, run away, act aggressively, or get into fights. Spayed dogs no will longer experience the hormonal changes the occur during heat cycles which make your pet a nervous and cry incessantly in an effort to attract a mate. Spaying a female dog also eliminates the mess associated with going into heat.

The benefits of spaying/neutering

The biggest long-term benefit of spaying and neutering is improved health for both cats and dogs.
Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer.
Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland, and greatly reduces their risk for perianal tumors.

Benefits of Spaying a Female Pet:

If spayed before the first heat cycle, your pet has a less than 1 percent chance of developing breast cancer.
If spayed after one heat cycle, your pet has an 8 percent chance of developing breast cancer.
If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk increases to over 25%.
Pets with diabetes or epilepsy should be spayed to prevent hormonal changes that may interfere with medication.
Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.
Completely eliminates the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy.

Benefits of Neutering a Male Pet:

Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, the second most common tumor in male dogs.
Greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer and prostatitis.
Reduces the risk of perianal tumors.
Eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered before 6 months of age or before the onset of these behaviors.
Eliminates the risk and spread of sexually transmitted diseases (yes, our pets do get these diseases).
Eliminates unwanted litters.

As you can see, the benefits of sterilizing your pet are numerous and greatly outweigh not doing it. Pet overpopulation is still a major problem in the U.S., but we are making progress in this area thanks to education and low cost spay/neuter programs. So please be compassionate not only to your pets, but to all the pets out there that are still looking for a loving home, and spay or neuter all your pets. All pets will be grateful.