Let’s start by defining spay and neuter. Spaying is a surgical procedure, performed under anesthesia, on female animals. Both ovaries and uterus are removed rendering the animal unable to reproduce. Neutering is a surgical procedure, performed under anesthesia on male animals. Both testicles are removed, rendering these males sterile and thereby unable to reproduce. As a general rule these are performed as “same day” surgical procedures. Recovery tends to be relatively uneventful so long as patients adhere to restricted activity guidelines outlined at the time of discharge. After approximately 7-10 days of healing, it’s business as usual! Ideally, spay/neuter takes
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The Senior Years
The pets we love become “seniors” sooner than you might think. Cats and small breed dogs reach geriatric status around their 7th birthday. For larger breeds, the rule of thumb is 6 years. Advances in Veterinary Medicine and pet nutrition have resulted in an increased population of geriatric pets. With these growing numbers, a great deal of focus has been placed on establishing protocols and treatment plans for cats and dogs who are living longer. Research has been conducted on adapting their environment to suit their mobility challenges, nutritional guidelines, exercise regimens, vaccine protocols, and so much more. While aging
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Cats Need Annual Wellness Care, Too!
Despite their popularity with pet owners, cats account for a fraction of veterinary well care. By contrast, twice as many of their canine counterparts receive routine annual visits! Reasons for the absence of preventive care range from owners not knowing that annual care is necessary for a cat, to owner fears surrounding the dreaded task of enticing kitty into their carrier for the trip to the veterinarian! Owners admit to becoming so stressed at the idea of kitty being miserable during the journey and exam that they simply avoid well visits altogether! Another roadblock is the false assumption that an
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Summer Pet Tips
Our summer fun can spell out trouble for our pets! Warm weather celebrations can wreak havoc on our four-legged family members. From terrifying fireworks and thunderstorms that have our pets literally “running scared,” to barbecues that pose dietary hazards, summer may not be all fun and frolic. Consider the following summer pet tips from Bayshore Veterinary Hospital to keep your companions safe this summer, and let us know if you have any questions. Fourth of July Every year, there’s a 30-60% spike in lost pets over the July 4th weekend, and July 5th has become known as the busiest day
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