Neuter/spay Vet-clinic

Top reason to spay and neuter:

1.  Female dogs and cats will live a longer, healthier life.

Spaying; the removal of the ovaries and uterus, is a veterinary procedure performed under anesthesia that usually requires minimal hospitalization.  Spaying a female dog or cat helps prevent pyometra (pus filled uterus) and mammary cancer.

2.  There are major health benefits for male animals.

Along with preventing unwanted litters, neutering (surgical removal of the testicles) your male dog or cat, prevents testicular cancer.

3.  Spayed females won’t go into heat.

Female felines usually go into heat 4 to 5 days every 3 weeks during breeding season.  In an effort to attract males, they will yowl and urinate more frequently- sometimes all over the house.  Unspayed female dogs have a bloody discharge for about a week, and are able to conceive for a total of two weeks.

4.  Male dogs won’t need to roam away from home.

An intact male in search of a mate will dig under the fence and try to escape from the house or yard.  Once free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.

5.  Males will be better behaved.

Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on humans.  Unneutered dogs and cats mark their territory by spraying urine, often all over the house.  A neutered dog protects his home and family and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

6.  Spaying and neutering will NOT make your pet fat.

Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to become overweight.  Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.

7.  Spaying and neutering is highly cost effective.

The cost of a pet’s spay or neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of caring for a litter.  It also avoids the cost of treatment when an unneutered male escapes and gets into fights with strays… 
Allowing a pet to produce offspring teaches children irresponsibility.  This dangerous myth can be disproven by witnessing an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home.  There are numerous books and videos available to teach children about birth in a responsible manner.

8.  Spaying and neutering fights against pet overpopulation.

Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized yearly or suffer as strays.  These high numbers are the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying and neutering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is spay and neuter surgery painful?

During surgery dogs and cats are anesthetized so they feel no pain.  Afterwards, most  animals seem to experience mild discomfort, but signs of discomfort disappear within a couple of days.  
Should a female dog or cat have one litter or at least one heat cycle before being spayed?
To the contrary, a dog or cat has the best chance of good health if spayed before their first heat.  Early age spaying dramatically reduces the risk of mammary tumors and prevents other health problems such as life threatening uterine infections.

Can a pregnant dog or cat be safely spayed?

Many dogs and cats are spayed while pregnant to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies or kittens.  The veterinarian must determine the stage of her pregnancy before deciding whether she can be spayed.

Do spayed or neutered dogs and cats become overweight?

In some dogs and cats, metabolism does decrease following spaying or neutering.  However, if fed the appropriate amount and type of food and adequately exercised spayed and neutered dogs and cats are unlikely to become overweight.

Does spaying or neutering make dogs and cats less affectionate?

Dogs and cats tend to be calmer and more content after spaying and neutering.  Spayed and neutered pets are more likely to show affection towards their human companions.

At what age should my dog or cat be spayed or neutered?

Animals may be spayed or neutered as early as 5-6 months of age.  However, older dogs and cats still benefit from being spayed or neutered.

Instructions before surgery

Food and Water

Please withhold food after 10 PM the night before surgery.  Do not feed the morning of the surgery.  Allow your pet to drink water as normal.

Animals "In Heat"

Cats can be spayed when they are in heat.  There is no additional charge.  
Female dogs will not be accepted for surgery when they are in heat.  They must wait until their heat cycle is over to undergo spaying.

Pregnant Animals

Dogs and cats may be spayed while pregant to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens.  The veterinarian must consider the stage of the pregnancy before deciding whether she can be spayed.

Post-operative instructions:

Your dog or cat has undergone anesthesia and surgical sterilization.  Please follow these post-operative instructions carefully for the safety and well being of your pet.  He/she may still be groggy from the anesthesia at the time of pick-up.  Please keep dogs and cats indoors after surgery.  This will enable them to recover in a monitored environment and prevent complications and possible death from exposure to outdoor temperature extremes.

Food/Water

An upset-stomach can occur from the use of anesthesia.  We recommend restricting the amount of food your dog or cat has access to during the first 3 hours at home after surgery.  Offer small amounts of food and water after 3 hours and gradually increase the amounts over the next 24 hours.

Activity

It is important to restrict animal activity for the next 7 days.  Discourage any running or jumping.

Pain Management

Do not give Aspirin or Tylenol to dogs and cats for pain relief after their surgery.  Tylenol is toxic to animals and aspirin can be deadly after surgery.  Your animal was given pain medication at the time of surgery and additional pain medication is not necessary.

Incision Care

Check the incision at least twice daily until healed.  A small amount of blood seepage, redness and swelling is normal immediately after surgery.  Do not allow your animal to lick/chew at the incision site.  If licking or chewing becomes a problem an E-collar can be used to prevent the animal from being able to reach at the incision.   E- collars can be purchased at most pet stores.  If the incision becomes dirty, gently clean the area with a cotton ball and lukewarm water and/or hydrogen peroxide.  Do not allow your pet to get wet for at least 7 days after surgery.  This means no bathing, swimming or rainy weather exposure for at least a week after surgery. 

Animal Drop off: 9:00-11.00 a.m.

Animal Pick up:   5:00- 6:30 p.m.