What is spaying and neutering?
Neutering is the surgical removal of the testicles.
Benefits of neutering include decreased marking and territorial behavior; decreased wandering; decreased prostate problems, and eliminates the risk of testicular tumors.
In larger males there still may be the appearance of a scrotal sac after neutering. This is only skin and fatty tissue and a little bit of fluid. The scrotum will shrink over time but, unless done at an early age, will always be present. Removal of the scrotum is a much more invasive and painful procedure and is not routinely done by most veterinarians.
Spaying is the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries.
Benefits of spaying include decreased risk of mammary tumors; eliminates the risk of life threatening uterine infections and tumors, eliminates the risk of unwanted pregnancy and eliminates heat cycles.