Banfield Pet Hospital

Reviews

• KT

  Kevin Tidwell

  Oct 15, 2025
  5.0
  By Paul Crewe Rethinking Spay and Neuter: Is It Really Necessary for Every Pet? For decades, pet owners have been told that spaying and neutering is the responsible — even mandatory — thing to do. It’s been sold as a fix-all solution to pet overpopulation, behavior issues, and health concerns. But is that narrative still valid in today’s world? I don’t think so — and here’s why. 🏠 The Overpopulation Argument Doesn’t Hold Up Anymore One of the biggest justifications for mass sterilization is population control. But how realistic is that argument today? The majority of responsible pet owners — especially dog owners — keep their pets indoors, leashed, fenced, or closely monitored. Dogs aren’t running the streets like they did 40 years ago, and surprise litters are becoming rare in households that practice even basic supervision. When it comes to cats — particularly those allowed both indoors and outdoors — the practice of sterilizing both males and females doesn’t always make sense. Instead of neutering male cats, who require testosterone to properly develop their bone density, muscle mass, and overall health, it may be wiser to only spay the females to prevent unwanted litters. This targeted approach helps preserve the health benefits that testosterone provides male cats during puberty and beyond. 🧠 The Health Risks of Early Sterilization The science is catching up with what many pet owners have observed firsthand: early spaying and neutering, especially before physical maturity, can cause long-term health problems. Studies have linked early sterilization to joint disorders like hip dysplasia, ligament tears, and arthritis — particularly in larger dog breeds. Why? Because removing sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen disrupts proper bone and muscle development, often leading to misaligned joints and weaker musculoskeletal systems. In male cats, the lack of testosterone can lead to lethargy, obesity, and behavioral changes that are more harmful than helpful. Testosterone isn’t just about aggression — it plays a crucial role in metabolism, energy regulation, and overall vitality. 📚 Science-Backed Concerns • A long-term study from Cornell University found a higher incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs neutered before 5.5 months of age¹. • Research from UC Davis linked early neutering in larger mixed-breed dogs to increased risks of joint disorders². • A study on Golden Retrievers published through the NIH reported early neutering doubled hip dysplasia rates and increased cranial cruciate ligament tears³. • Studies on mixed-breed dogs showed that neutering before six months increased joint disorder risk, while delaying sterilization until 12 months or older helped mitigate these effects⁴. 💰 The Industry Doesn’t Talk About the Profit Motive Let’s also be honest about the money. The U.S. spay and neuter market generated an estimated $3.5 to $4.5 billion over the past five years alone. That’s a staggering amount — and a strong financial incentive for veterinary clinics, nonprofits, and industry groups to keep pushing these procedures as standard care. While animal welfare is part of the conversation, the profit motive behind mass sterilization is rarely acknowledged. ⸻ ❗ Final Thought This isn’t an anti-vet or anti-responsibility argument. It’s about moving away from the one-size-fits-all mentality. Not every pet needs to be sterilized, and certainly not in puppyhood or kittenhood. Pet owners deserve balanced, personalized advice — not pressure campaigns built on outdated ideas and billion-dollar industries. So before you book that surgery, take a step back and ask: is this really the best thing for my pet?
• MM

  Marlene Matos

  Sep 28, 2025
  5.0
  Dr. Panno is amazing doctor and the crew on Spring Valley are awesome.
• TJ

  Tracy Johnson

  Sep 15, 2025
  5.0
  I love the care team for my 2 dogs. We love Dr. Bri! She does a phenomenal job taking care of my 2 girls, and so does Dr. Gonzales when they are in her care. They answer all of my questions without hesitation, no matter how many I ask. When I rescued 2nd dog, she was so malnourished and had many issues, but Dr. Bri was attentive and told me all I needed to do to get my girl healthy. She's just caring! My dogs are cared for at the Banfield near Ft. Jackson! I must give a special shout out to Mrs. Sonya! While all the of assistants and techs are great, I do have a higher level of peace when I see her smiling face because she has literally been there since I walked in with my first Pampered Pooch when she was about 10 weeks old and she is now 8! There's comfort in consistency of care! I appreciate her and this entire team! Baby & Callie appreciate them and so do I!
• HS

  Haley Smith

  Sep 12, 2025
  5.0
  Sergio is the BEST AND KINDEST! Thank you so much for all your help and being so kind❤️
• LB

  Lisa Brumell

  Sep 11, 2025
  5.0
  Bandfield off Garners Ferry Road is absolutely amazing! They take excellent care of my Zackery❤️. All the staff are patient, kind, and provide excellent service to my fur baby 😊

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