Spay & Neuter

Overview

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 12,500 puppies are born in the United States each hour. Spaying females or neutering males eliminates unwanted litters that contribute to millions of stray animals and thousands of euthanasia procedures. Additionally, these procedures can minimize behavior problems and help your pet live a longer, healthier life by reducing the likelihood of certain cancers and tumors.

When should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

In general, it is recommended to spay or neuter small dogs and cats between 4-6 months of age. With large breed dogs, it is often recommend to delay the surgery until the pet is 8-12 months of age.

Why should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

There are many benefits that come with spaying your female companion animal. They include helping to control the stray dog and cat population and preventing diseases in your pet. Your veterinarian can discuss with you the many benefits that come with neutering your male pet.

How is a spay or neutering surgery performed?

Spaying, also called an "ovariohysterectomy", is a surgical procedure in which both ovaries and uterus are completely removed from your female pet while they are under general anesthesia. Neutering refers to the surgical procedure in which both testicles are removed while your male pet is under general anesthesia.

Your pet’s safety and comfort are our primary concerns when performing a spay or neuter. We routinely place an IV catheter and administer fluids on canine spays and neuters, as well as feline spays and neuters. This is important for maintaining blood pressure and perfusion to the kidneys and other organs as well as allowing immediate IV access in the event of an emergency. We use advanced pain management techniques in conjunction with anesthesia to make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible during the procedure and after they are discharged. Our spay and neuter patients receive injectable pain medications during the procedure and usually go home with oral pain medication. We also perform local anesthetic blocks at the surgical site. Proper pain management makes the procedure as comfortable as possible and allows for faster recovery.