By Leslie Kasper, DVM

Why should I spay or neuter my dog or cat?

Dogs and cats that have not been "fixed" are likely to bite, leave the yard, get hit by car, and encounter other hazards. Pets that are left intact have a natural drive to protect their territory. They are also more likely to leave their yard to find a mate.

There is no scientific evidence that dogs and cats need to be intact unless they're breeding. Spaying/neutering is a very safe procedure. Your pet will be feeling better and return to normal behavior in only a few days. The incision usually will heal within 10 - 14 days.

Spaying and neutering reduces the problem of overpopulation of dogs and cats. Unwanted cats and animals are a burden on taxpayers as governments work to provide humane treatment of animals.

My pet is always in the house or in the yard and never gets loose. Why should I license my dog or cat?

There are always situations where even house pets get out. It could be that one instance when they get scared, get excited, and slip out the door or slip off their leash. A license increases the likelihood you will be reunited with your pet if it is lost and that it will get medical treatment if injured when you're not around. A license is like an insurance policy for if and when your pet gets out.

Licensing your pet also is good for the community. Besides supporting the return of lost pets to their homes, license fees help pay for the adoption of homeless pets to new families. Revenue from license fees fund investigation of animal neglect or cruelty, protection from dangerous animals and community education.

I don't see fleas on my pet or evidence of worms. Why should I use flea-prevention or have my pet de-wormed regularly?

The environment in the Pacific Northwest is conducive to fleas. It is not hot enough in the summer or cold enough in the winter to destroy flea eggs and larvae so fleas can be a problem year-round. The saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is true when it comes to pets and fleas. While it is really hard to get control of a flea infestation, it is really easy to prevent it by using a monthly flea- treatment.

Since most people don't realize when dog or cats have worms, regular de-worming is also recommended. You won't always be able to detect if your pet has worms simply by monitoring their feces since you can't always see them and your pet doesn't always show signs, but the animal can still be affected.

Worms affect both dogs and cats. Outdoor cats who hunt mice, birds, and rodents are almost all affected by tapeworms. Worms take away nutrition and spread eggs in animal feces. People can be affected by coming in contact with infected feces and contaminated soil.

Dr. Leslie Kasper, director of Burien Animal Care and Control, is a resident of Burien and graduate of Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Her veterinary clinic, Companion Animal Medical Center, is located at 19655 1st Ave. S, the city's animal shelter. Call the shelter at 206-870-8471.