Whether you have recently adopted a dog or you are considering it, the most important health decision that you will make is to neuter or spay your new pet.

Top 3 Benefits of Spaying/Neutering Your Pet

Whether you have recently adopted a dog or you are considering it, the most important health decision that you will make is to neuter or spay your new pet. Neutering and spaying is the only 100% effective strategy that is used in birth control for dogs. You don’t want to have uncontrollable puppies in your home. On the other hand, the best way to keep your male dog close at home is to lower its natural drive.

What is the difference between neutering and spaying?

Spaying is the removal of uterus and ovaries of a female pet by a professional veterinary which will offer lifelong benefits and also require very minimal hospitalization. On the other hand, neutering removes testicles of a male dog which plays a significant role in enhancing its behavior and keeping him close to home.

Spay and neuter clinic perform professional surgical procedures that help the animals to recover within a short period and continue with their daily activities. Veterinary officers in conjunction with county governments have been creating and advocacy plan that would require people to spay and neuter their pets due to the benefits associated with these procedures.

If you are wondering why you should spay or neuter your dog, this article has discussed some of the reasons that will compel you to do it.

1. Reduction in Cancer Prevalence

One of the standout benefits of neutering and spaying is that it plays a significant role in minimizing multiple types of cancer. Spaying a dog helps in reducing mammary tumors, cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancer. This means that your dog will stay healthy and you do not have to worry about these killer diseases.

On the other hand, neutering a dog plays a significant role in eliminating testicular cancer. Over the last few years, a considerable number of male dogs have been diagnosed with testicular cancer. AZPAWS, your Anthem spay neuter clinic, AZ, is currently the leading clinic in spaying and neutering pets.

2. It Saves You Money

With hard economic conditions continuing to get even worse, anything that can save you some few dollars is of paramount importance. Spaying your dog is one of the surgical operations that will save you money in the long term. Although you will have to pay for surgery cost, you will eliminate the possibility of taking care of the puppies. Spay and neuter clinic guarantee that your dog won’t get pregnant, which will save you considerable amounts of money.

3. Reduce Homelessness

One of the major benefits of spaying your pet is that you will reduce the number of dogs considered homeless. There are 6 to 8 million animals that are taken to an animal care home after being considered homeless. AZPAWS, an Arizona clinic for dog neutering will help you in making sure that your animal is taken care of and loved!

A spay and neuter clinic plays a major role in ensuring that your dog spends much of its time at home. Female dogs on heat will not be looking for male counterparts across the valley, which puts them at the danger of forgetting their homes and becoming homeless.

Spaying and neutering pets is an important veterinary surgical procedure that pet owners should consider because it has health, cost, and behavioral benefits to the dog and owner.

Job application available through ZipRecruiter

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/job/3be90d1b

Experienced Veterinary Technician needed for a very busy, fast paced Spay/Neuter Clinic in Phoenix, AZ.

This position is full-time, or part-time. Compensation depends on experience. We are open Monday through Saturday. NO nights, NO emergencies, NO HOLIDAYS and NO on-call status so you can have a life outside your job. This position is also eligible for profit-sharing, and veterinary services at a reduced rate.

Qualities we are seeking…

Friendly demeanor
Exceptional communication skills and active listening skills
Warm rapport with the clientele
Good memory for people and their pets
Exceptional organizational skills
Time management skills
Effective but compassionate restraint of all types of small animals
Administer anesthetic agents, maintain a surgical plane, and recover patients
Practice aseptic technique, assist in surgical suite, and maintain instruments
Perform dental prophylaxis
Administer IV fluids, troubleshoot fluid administration, perform IV injections
Working knowledge of lab procedures such as fecal exams, heartworm tests, ear cytology, etc
Collect lab samples, including drawing blood
Keep flawless patient records
Make reminder and follow up calls to clients
Communicate with and educate clients daily

To protect your dog from toxic scraps, here are some human foods that are safe and some that are not-so-safe for your dog to eat.

Dogs are a big part of the American family. Unfortunately, this often means that dogs are being fed as if they were human. Dogs and humans don’t metabolize their food in the same way. In fact, food that may be safe for you to eat can be toxic to your pet.

To protect your dog from toxic scraps, here are some human foods that are safe and some that are not-so-safe for your dog to eat.

Feed Fido This, Not That: What’s Safe For Your Dog
Certain foods are perfectly safe for your dog to eat. In fact, many human foods like peanut butter can be used as a treat for your dog when given in moderation.

Here are some of the foods that are safe for your dog to consume:
Carrots (in bite-size pieces)
Peanut butter (in moderation)
Cooked eggs
Cooked, boneless salmon
Cheese (in moderation)
Blueberries
Seedless watermelon (without the rind)
Blackberries
Fresh or frozen peas (not canned)

 

Toxic Treats To Avoid: What Not To Feed Your Dog
Although some human foods are safe to give your dog when they’re unsalted, unseeded, and unseasoned, some foods are toxic. Foods like grapes can cause kidney failure and other unfortunate health problems that can be avoided.

To help keep your dog safe, here are some foods to avoid giving to your dog and to keep your dog away from:

Chocolate (all kinds)
Grapes/Raisins
Macadamia nuts
Onions
Avocado
Coffee
Tea (all kinds)
Garlic
Alcohol
Nutmeg
Lemons/Limes

Before you feed your dog anything, it’s important to first make sure that it’s safe for them to consume and in what way. Even if a dog is able to eat a certain food, they may not be able to eat it if it’s raw or seasoned.

Don’t Forget Dental Care For Your Dog
Many pet owners enjoy sharing their food with their dogs. But it’s important that your pet is receiving dog dental care no matter what kind of food they’re eating.

Up to 80% of dogs have periodontal disease by the age of three. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to major health problems for your dog.

Dental care for your dog is an important part of pet healthcare. To learn more about dental care for your dog or to schedule an appointment for your dog, contact the office of AZ Paws today.

Read about what to expect before and after you spay your cat on the AZPAWS blog.

Spaying Your Cat: What To Expect Before, During, And After The Procedure

It’s important to spay your pet before their first heat for a number of reasons. The first is that is can help prevent uterine infections. The second is that is can help prevent cancerous tumors, which affect up to 90% of cats. It’s essential that a cat is spayed before their first heat because they can become pregnant as soon as they’re five months old.

Therefore, to ensure you’re properly prepared for your feline’s spaying, here’s what you need to know about the process of spaying a cat.

Preparing your Cat
Similar to human surgery, it’s often recommended that a cat doesn’t consume food or water for up to 12 hours prior to their surgery. This is to help prevent vomiting during surgery, which could complicate the procedure.

It’s also a good idea to prepare for the morning of the surgery based on your cat’s known behavior. For instance, if your cat is likely to hide at the sight of their carrier, keep them in the guest bedroom over night so they’ll be easier to catch the next day. Additionally, keep your cat indoors the night before the surgery to ensure they’re not drinking or eating for 12 hours prior to the surgery.

During the Surgery
During the surgery, a veterinarian will be assisted by either one or two technicians. The veterinarian may choose to use an intravenous catheter on your pet to provide them with drugs or fluids. However, this isn’t always the case.

Should the catheter be used, one of the technicians will shave applied area either on the back foot of your cat or the front leg. Your cat will be anesthetized and sedated during the procedure. The procedure will take up to 30 minutes at most.

A small incision is made in the stomach area of your cat during the surgery. Be sure to pay close attention to this area after the procedure for signs of infection, swelling, or bleeding.

After the surgery
After the surgery, you’ll want to keep your cat indoors for at least a week. Keep him or her safe and comfortable.

Many cats are often back to their normal behavior within 24 hours. If your feline is still behaving oddly or groggy after more than two days be sure to check in with your veterinarian.

As a pet owner, it’s essential that you understand the importance of spaying or neutering your pet when it comes to pet healthcare. Spaying your pet means caring for your pet. For more information on the benefits of spaying your pet and caring for your cat after spaying or neutering, contact AZPaws today.

There are many benefits of spaying or neutering your pet, read more about how this procedure can help your pets in the long run on the AZ PAWS blog

3 Benefits of Getting Your Pet Spayed or Neutered

As a pet owner, you may be familiar with the terms “neuter” and “spay.” However, you may be unfamiliar with the reasons as to why those things are important. Deciding whether or not to have your animal undergo the procedure is probably the biggest decision you will make as a pet owner.

There are a few things you need to consider when you are deciding what to do in terms of neutering and spaying. It’s important to know the benefits of the procedure before you decide to go through with it or not. Here’s what you need to know.

Your Pets May Live Longer
Deciding to spay or neuter your pet allows them to live longer than they would if you didn’t have the procedure done. This may be because deciding to neuter them or spay them may curb hormones that prompt aggression and impulsive sprints out into the street. Going through with the procedure also helps prevent cancer.

 

Spaying and Neutering Can Help Curb Bad Behavior
In young dogs and cats, bad behavior can be unacceptable. Dogs tend to be more aggressive before going to the vet clinic and having the procedure done. Cats tend to mark their territory, so getting them to the clinic at a young age will prevent that from happening. The longer you wait to have this done for any pet, the less chance there is that the procedure will work. If you wait too long, their bad instincts will be ingrained and it’ll be very hard to try and fix the problem. Puppies and kittens can have the procedure done when they are as little as two months old.

 

You’ll Save Money in the Long Run
Going along with spaying and neutering being used as a way to keep your pets healthy, having the procedure done may help save you money as a pet owner. As said in the section about keeping your pet healthy, they have a high risk of being diagnosed with cancer if they aren’t spayed or neutered. If your pet does end up diagnosed with cancer, there will be extreme costs that will come with caring for your animal during that time. You will also have a higher license fee if you don’t choose to spay or neuter your animal. Owners who have unaltered pets have to ultimately pay more than owners with pets who have been through the procedure.

Making the decision to have your pet take the plunge or not can be very difficult. However, choosing to have your pet spayed or neutered can do a lot of positive things for both you and your pet.

 

Read about some tips that can help get your dog to the clinic or vet remain calm and peaceful for their visit.

How to Keep Your Dog Calm When Visiting the Spay and Neuter Clinic

As a dog owner, it is up to you to advocate for their health and happiness. Since they can’t speak, you need to stay vigilant in order to ensure their physical and emotional needs are always being met. And while this typically includes a visit or two to the veterinarian office, your pup may not be a fan of this type of field trip. That’s especially true when visiting a spay and neuter clinic, as dogs can easily pick up on their owner’s anxiety and discomfort.

That’s why it is all too common for pets to feel anxious when the time comes to visit the clinic. They may not know what’s in store, but they know that something is happening. For the sake of your pet’s health and happiness, here are some tried and true strategies for keeping dogs calm while visiting a veterinarian office.

 

• Get them used to the car

Some pets only go in the car when they go to the vet, so they begin to associate car rides with stress and fear. Get rid of the anxiety by taking them on regular car rides around the block or to the dog park, and always end these trips with a treat. Soon, they won’t be so nervous to jump in the car and go exploring with you.

• Practice on your pet

Just like human beings, many animals are afraid of the unknown. Unfamiliar people, places, and especially smells can instantly raise a dog’s anxiety levels. This can easily be bypassed by practicing some treatments on your pet so they aren’t completely uncomfortable at the vet. Here’s one idea for making your pooch more comfortable with vet care: regularly brush their teeth at home. Dental care for pets is especially important, but 65% of pet owners don’t brush their pet’s teeth at all. Simply touching their mouth and getting them used to the sensation of a brush can calm them down before their next medical appointment.

• Stay calm

Dogs have an incredible ability to read emotions in body language and faces, and they will easily pick up on what you’re feeling if you’re nervous. While visiting dog spay and neuter clinics may be stressful for you as a pet owner, it’s important not to show it. The second you show tension in your voice or body language, your furry friend will immediately feel distressed. However, that doesn’t mean you should overcompensate with baby talk and big smiles. To make your dog feel calm, try and act as normal as possible.

Going to AZPAWS doesn’t have to be traumatic for you or your pet. Simply follow these tips and both of you will be all smiles throughout the entire appointment.

 

Neutering a cat can be a scary process but knowing what to do after can help. Visit our website and blog to learn about what to do for your pet after surgery.

As a pet owner, you have put yourself in a position of responsibility towards your pet. For instance, at minimum, your pet should have their mouth thoroughly examined by a vet at least once a year. After your pet reaches 7 years old, they should be examined twice a year.

Indeed, by 3 years of age, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal (dental) disease. There are other important aspects of pet care, like keeping them clean, feed, exercised — and spayed.

Neutering a cat is often in the best interest of both you, the owner, and your beloved feline friend. Indeed, the surgery itself is routine and very easy — but it does require a couple of days of special attention and care for your pet. It is up to you to make sure that your cat is safe, healthy and after after the procedure — check out how to do that here:

 Expect your cat to have lower energy levels than usual — he or she needs to reserve their energy for recovery!

 It’s normal if some pinkness around the incision remains for a couple of days after, and it is only a problem if it lingers for longer than that. It should go without saying that it is inadvisable to touch your pets tender areas.

 Make sure not to feed your pet too soon! Likely it will not be allowed to eat until later in the evening the day of the surgery.

 Your vet will most likely recommend only giving your cat a small amount of water the a day of the surgery — any more could cause nausea in your feline companion.

 Try to keep your cat from being too active. Your cat needs to recover and moving like he or she usually does might cause the stitches to rip. Making your cat, or dog, can get it’s spay and neuter procedure will save you both a lot of headache — and possibly some kittens or puppies.

Caring for your pet is a big responsibility — remember that good nutrition should be at the center of every pet owners concerns — treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories.   Pet healthcare, including dental care for pets, and facilities for spaying a cat, will keep your pet health and happy for a long time — neutering a cat will keep you both very happy.

If you are thinking about rescue dog adoption, please read about some tips that can help.

Adopting a Rescue Dog: 7 Tips To Help You Through the First Few Weeks

If you’ve made the big decision to adopt a rescue dog, it’s normal to feel both excited and scared for what’s to come. Here are a few basic tips to help you out during the first few weeks after you’ve adopted a dog:

1. Many rescue groups will have already given dogs and cats the vaccinations they need before adopters can take them home; if this is the case, you may be asked to pay higher adoption fees to cover the cost of the shots. These are usually just the basic vaccines, such as rabies, Distemper-Parvo Combo, and bordetella (i.e., “kennel cough”), so you may want to bring your pet into our clinic for additional vaccines (depending on where you live).

2. Most rescue groups will also take their rescue animals to a spay and neuter clinic before adoption. If a dog or cat has been spayed or neutered, some spay and neuter clinics make a small tattoo, which is a short green line, near the incision. Spaying or neutering your dog is very important: it typically extends their lifespan by one to three years, it decreases (or eliminates) the risk of uterine/testicular cancer, it decreases aggression (especially in male dogs), and it ensures that you don’t become the owner of a litter of puppies!

3. When you first bring your dog home, it’s normal for both of you to be nervous. If you find that your new pup is especially anxious around people (especially if he/she was abused before), try to give him/her some space to explore. Simply talking to your dog in a calm voice will help him/her feel comfortable around you.

4. Many rescue dogs actually feel more comfortable in a crate because it’s their own safe space. (If you don’t have a crate on hand, a large cardboard box tipped on its side can be a decent stand-in.)

5. Instead of buying new blankets and towels, fill the crate with some old shirts or blankets that you’ve used for a while; these will help your dog associate your “person smell” with safety and comfort.

6. Try to make your home as consistent as possible in the first few weeks. Dogs respond very well to rules and your pet needs you to be the “pack leader.” Everything from bedtime to mealtimes should be kept consistent until you both adjust to a new schedule.

7. Registering your pet in your town or city, or county, is very important, and you’ll need to have proof of vaccinations in order to get a dog license. This license is usually pretty inexpensive (around $10-$15) and many town offices provide a discount if your dog has been spayed or neutered. This proof can be obtained from your dog vet clinic or from a dog spay and neuter clinic.

Most importantly, remember that you are making a difference by opening up your home to an animal in need. You both have plenty of fun adventures ahead of you!

Thank you.