Pediatric Spay and Neuter: Is it Safe?
By Melanie Rushforth, SPCA Serving Erie County Vice President of Veterinary Services
Short answer: Yes. Long answer with a background on how we got here: Keep reading.
The SPCA Serving Erie County and the Lipsey Veterinary Clinic promote and perform pediatric spay and neuter. Kittens and puppies can be safely spayed or neutered at eight weeks, or as soon as they weigh two pounds (and are healthy). The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ (ASV) guidelines recommend that a veterinarian should make the final decision regarding the acceptance of any patient for surgery, but it is just as important to note that the opportunity to spay or neuter an individual animal prior to adoption into a home in the community may not present itself again, and it is the only way to prevent overpopulation by way of compliance post-adoption.
Pediatric spay and neuter is safe. Endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the ASV, the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) and in practice in clinics and shelters across the country, pediatric spay and neuter surgery and the anesthesia associated with the surgery show no adverse effects on animals both in short- or long-term studies.
There are many benefits of pediatric spay and neuter surgeries for cats and dogs. Veterinarians who perform pediatric spay and neuter report that it is an easier, faster procedure; the patients recover quickly; it provides the highest level of litter prevention; and it produces the most prevention per dollar invested. Research tells us that kittens and puppies spayed or neutered before 12 weeks of age have fewer complications from surgery than those over 12 weeks. Also, kittens and puppies rebound much faster after the surgical procedure, with less stress than pets spayed or neutered over six months of age. If you compare it to a human ailment, think back to being a kindergartener on the playground. If you were six years old and you yelled to your friends, “WATCH THIS!” and then slipped off of the monkey bars and broke an arm, you’d probably be out on the playground shortly after being casted up. If you did that now? You’re looking at lots of time off of work and you have likely convinced yourself that you can predict rain based on that nagging pain in your wrist. Little healthy animals heal quicker than big, and maybe not as healthy animals. Don’t delay!
Spaying and neutering young pets improves their lives. Spayed and neutered cats and dogs lead healthier and longer lives. Spayed females enjoy happier and longer lives without the constant stress of endless pregnancies and nursing kittens, and neutered males are calmer and no longer suffer injuries in fights over females and territory. Additionally, spaying and neutering virtually eliminates the chances for mammary and testicular tumors. Even young pets who have been in heat only once have a significantly higher risk of developing mammary cancer.
Any surgical procedure comes with risk, and the professional team at the SPCA Serving Erie County supports the concept and practice of pediatric spay/neuter in dogs and cats to reduce the number of unwanted animals of these species. Just as for other veterinary medical and surgical procedures, veterinarians should continue to use their best professional judgment based on the current scientific literature in deciding at what age spay/neuter should be performed on each individual animal. For pets not already spayed or neutered prior to adoption, the decision should be made by the pet’s owner in consultation with a veterinarian after discussing associated risks and benefits.
The SPCA’s Lipsey Veterinary Clinic offers veterinary services for cats and dogs, including spay and neuter surgeries! To see all available services, please visit LipseyClinic.com. To make an appointment, please call 716-531-4700.
“Happy Visits!”
What They Are and Why You Should Schedule Them!
By Melanie Rushforth, SPCA Serving Erie County Vice President of Veterinary Services
One of the positive effects of COVID-19 and the stay-at-home orders we’ve experienced over this past year is that there has been a nationwide increase in pet adoptions throughout the pandemic. Pets provide companionship, endless love, and are known to reduce stress in their humans. Did you know there is something we can be doing to return the favor while keeping your pets healthy at the same time?
The Lipsey Veterinary Clinic and other vet hospitals around the country has been practicing curbside service. Curbside service consists of a relatively (human) contact-less experience for treatment and exams and is designed to keep humans safe and protected from the spread of COVID-19. However, this experience is new to our furry friends, and may be a stressful and unfamiliar time for them. The Lipsey Veterinary Clinic has begun offering “Happy Visits” to prepare pets to feel at ease when coming to the vet. Here’s what those look like, and why we think they’re important.
For some background on why we decided to start this we will turn to the psychology behind it. Classical conditioning happens when animals learn to associate certain things in their environment with a positive or negative experience. Classical conditioning is at work all the time in everyday life, whether we intend for it to happen. Animals learn to associate what they experience with different things that occur in their environment. Figuring out how to contribute to a positive experience can be useful to pets, pet owners, and veterinary providers.
When we see your pet at the Lipsey Veterinary Clinic, we love them. We tell Fluffy that he is the best and most handsome boy around, and we mean it every time! We have cheese in a can and all the ear scritches that he can handle. However, we also have sharp things that poke. And scales that they must stand on (and who likes that?!). And a million unfamiliar smells. And as nice as everyone is, mom and dad must wait outside for now, and the foreseeable future.
COVID-19 has contributed to an environment where newly adopted pets may not be getting as much socialization outside of their household as pets were getting pre-COVID. Scheduling a “Happy Visit” will help your pet become familiar with the vet’s office BEFORE going in to be vaccinated or to have a procedure. This creates a positive environment before anything needs to happen and gives your pet a place to be excited about returning to. “Happy Visits” will let your pet meet the staff, sniff around, meet the scale, get treats and pets and compliments, and end with a plan to return for the needed services like vaccinations and nail trims. New places are sometimes anxiety-producing – just because they are new. Scheduling “Happy Visits” occasionally reduces your pet’s anxiety by simply transforming the vet’s office from an unknown to a known environment.
Better yet, take along some great treats, preferably something that is incredibly special to your pet like steak or hot dogs. If you have a puppy or kitten, start your “Happy Visits” as early as possible. But don’t worry if you have an older pet or a pet that is already anxious about vet visits. “Happy Visits” can dramatically reduce an adult pet’s stress level, too.
Some things you can work into your home routine include some simple things that you’re already doing, but now you can do them knowing that they will help your pet be a great patient. Getting your pet accustomed to being touched all over is essential for your pet’s comfort during an examination. In a routine exam, the veterinarian may look in your pet’s eyes, ears, and mouth, listen to his heart and lungs, touch and probe his belly, manipulate his joints, and take his temperature. Pets that are handled, petted, and touched all over daily will be less likely to perceive this as invasive, and more likely to regard it as affectionate (if somewhat personal!) touching.
In addition, when you regularly spend time touching your pet, you will be more likely to notice changes such as lumps, swelling, or tenderness that may indicate health problems.
Another very important part of this routine is to take note of your pet’s sensitive spots. Most pets have one or more spots where they prefer not to be touched. Some pets don’t like to have their paws touched. Others may not like their hips, ears, or tails touched. This is great information to offer to the receptionist when making an appointment; that way, we can be prepared to know what to expect.
You can help even the most reluctant pet accept the handling of sensitive areas with a little patience and some great treats. Have your pet near you in a comfortable position. Then feed your pet his favorite treats while briefly touching the sensitive spot. For example, if your pet is sensitive about having his paws handled, gently and quickly stroke your pet’s paw and then give him a great treat. Once your pet is happy about the brief touch (because he knows the treat is coming!), you can leave your hand on his paw just a little bit longer before giving him the treat. Gradually work up to holding the paw, then giving gentle squeezes, and eventually touching between his toes.
We love seeing your pets, and we look forward to their visits. Even though we don’t see your pet often, we consider them part of our clinic family. Regular wellness visits are helpful for long-term health, so please get those appointments on the calendar! If you would like to schedule a “Happy Visit” for your cat or dog in anticipation for a future service at the Lipsey Veterinary Clinic, please call the clinic at 716-531-4700!
Remember that time Bernie came to Lipsey? Yeah, me, too.
IT’S WORLD SPAY DAY!
By: Melanie Rushforth, Vice President, Veterinary Services SPCA Serving Erie County
A lot of times we approach the cause for why spaying your pet is important by advocating for overpopulation prevention. If pets are spayed, they cannot bring more puppies or kittens into the world, thus they are not contributing to the 19 million homeless pets in the United States. However, another important aspect of spaying your pets is for the health benefits. An unspayed cat or dog produces hormones and goes through heat cycles once a month. For each heat cycle a female goes through, her uterine lining thickens, until eventually, cysts begin to form. These cysts create an environment that is ideal for bacteria to grow. This bacteria growth causes an infection called pyometra, which, left unattended can be fatal. The only way to truly get rid of the infection is to perform a spay surgery and, when the infection has already set in what is normally a simple surgery can be much more complicated.
We see pyometra most often in older dogs who have been left unspayed. A particularly notable one that we’ve seen was in a dog weighing 54 pounds with her infected uterus weighing 10 pounds. It was nearly five times the size a healthy uterus would be! Imagine how painful it would be to carry 10 pounds of infection around in your belly. Nip this potential problem in the bud (literally) and make sure you make an appointment for your pet to come in to be spayed.
Today is World Spay Day! Launched in 1995, World Spay Day is an annual campaign that aims to encourage people to save animal lives by spaying and neutering companion animals and feral cats. Initiated by Doris Day and her Animal League as Spay Day USA in 1995 when the estimated euthanasia rate in overcrowded shelters was between 14 and 17 million dogs and cats each year, this annual event has grown to global proportions in 74 countries, resulting in the spay/neuter of millions of animals since its inception.
The Lipsey Veterinary Clinic is proud to offer affordable spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats, and while they are with us, they will receive high quality and compassionate care. You will do right by your pet, and your pet will be happier, healthier, and better for it.
Please contact the SPCA’s Lipsey Veterinary Clinic for an exam and a spay or neuter appointment by calling 716-531-4700 or visit us on LipseyClinic.com!
It’s Walk the Dog Day!
By: Melanie Rushforth, Vice President, Veterinary Services SPCA Serving Erie County
Today is National Walk the Dog Day! When the shutdown first began early last year, nearly every pup everywhere thought it was National Walk the Dog Day every day. Workers shifted to home offices, and families were starting to feel a little stir-crazy.
Here are some reasons to celebrate this day, rain or shine, from the SPCA’s Lipsey Veterinary Clinic staff:
Walking your dog is about so much more than just “potty breaks.” Walking your dog provides mental stimulation, physical exercise, chances for socialization, and opportunities for behavioral training. Moreover, it gets both of you out and about while helping to grow the bond you have with your dog. Walking can be as good for humans as it can for dogs. Dog owners enjoy numerous health and social benefits by walking their dog a few times a week. Benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones (built up by walking regularly), and decreased stress. A regular walk is vitally important for your pet’s health too for those same reasons.
Living in WNY and think it’s too cold or snowy to get in a good walk? Lucky for all of us, we live in a time when doggie boots and coats (and other clothes) are available for dogs of every size. Maybe you can get matching coats and hit the great outdoors together!
The SPCA’s Lipsey Veterinary Clinic offers veterinary services for cats and dogs! To see all available services, please visit LipseyClinic.com. To make an appointment, please call 716-531-4700.
The SPCA’s Lipsey Veterinary Clinic continues their quest to educate everyone about the importance of your pet’s dental health! In today’s video, they show what happens when you bring your dog in for a dental cleaning with the help of their new little friend Chewy.
The Clinic offers veterinary services for cats and dogs! To see all available services, please visit LipseyClinic.com. To make an appointment, please call 716-531-4700.
By Shauna Greene, Veterinary Services Coordinator and Lipsey Clinic Manager
In the veterinary world, February is Pet Dental Health Month. While it’s important to maintain your pet’s smile throughout the year, we take this month to showcase the importance of oral health.
All too often, we fail to notice issues with our pets’ teeth until dental disease is in advanced stages. Just like in humans, unattended dental disease can cause other problems in animals. We all think about the obvious bad breath, but rampant bacteria in an affected animal’s mouth can cause infection in the blood, leading to cardiac issues. Liver and kidney function can also be impaired by bacterial infections that begin in the mouth. But there are ways you can help! Regular oral care, like brushing teeth and surgical cleanings, can reduce the risk of dental disease and keep your furry friend’s smile bright.
Expect installments throughout the month featuring ways to contribute to your pet’s oral health, and photos and videos of what dental surgery looks like at a vet’s office.
The SPCA’s Lipsey Veterinary Clinic offers veterinary services for cats and dogs! To see all available services, please visit LipseyClinic.com. To make an appointment, please call 716-531-4700.
WILDLIFE WEDNESDAY: This poor little robin was covered in grease when she became trapped in a truck’s wheel! She was admitted to the SPCA’s Wildlife Department and Wildlife Hospital Supervisor Dawn explains how they cleaned her up (hint: it involved three staff members and multiple washes using Dawn Dishwashing Liquid) and how she’s doing now!
