Spay and neuter procedures are important to help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life. Studies show that states with the highest rates of spaying/neutering also have the highest rates for pet longevity. It’s been further demonstrated that spaying or neutering your pet helps to prevent them from contracting diseases and eliminates other health complications.

According to the Humane Society, there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering shelters every year in the United States. Sadly, more than half of these animals do not get adopted and worse, are euthanized before they are ever able to become someone’s beloved companion.

Spay, or ovariohysterectomy, is the common term used for female cats and dogs. It refers to the removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus (reproductive organs) in the female feline or canine.

Neuter, or castration, is the common term used for male cats and dogs. It refers to the surgical removal of the testicles.

Both surgeries sterilize a feline or canine animal and prevent them from reproducing. It is the most responsible way a dog or cat owner can care for their pet and reduce the number of unwanted, neglected pets.

Spaying

Aside from preventing unwanted pregnancies in your dog or cat, spaying your pet before the first heat cycle can also reduce or eliminate associated behavioral or health risks, including:

• Unwanted pregnancy

• Mammary, ovarian or uterine cancer

• Uterine infections

• Problems associated with giving birth

Neutering

In addition to removing the chance of unwanted reproduction and overpopulation, neutering your male dog or cat can also reduce or eliminate a number of associated behavioral or health risks, including:

• Testicular cancers

• Risk of perianal tumors

• Prostatic diseases such as inflammation, infection, cysts, or enlargement of the prostate gland

• Roaming habits that can cause fighting, injury from accidents, or lost pets

• Spraying and marking of territory

Spaying and neutering are two of the most common surgeries for dogs and cats, yet many pet owners know very little about the procedures. While both are commonly performed at veterinary hospitals and humane societies across the country, spaying and neutering are still major surgeries that require a high level of care.

Spay

When an animal is spayed, they require general anesthetic so they don’t feel any pain during surgery. To help with post operative pain, medications are given around the surgery time and afterward to ensure patient comfort.

For your pet’s safety, we require preoperative blood screening to check for good organ function and general health. We also monitor vitals throughout the procedure and closely monitor your pet to ensure they wake up safely.

If your pet is healthy, we begin the procedure by intubating and anesthetizing so they feel no pain. The pet is placed tummy side up, and the skin where the surgery will be performed is scrubbed and cleansed to ensure sterility. Gas anesthesia will continue throughout the procedure.

The pet is transferred to the sterile operating room and the surgery area is draped to ensure sterility. Once the area is draped, the veterinarian makes an incision just below the belly button into the abdomen. The reproductive tract, both ovaries, and the uterus are completely removed through this incision. Blood vessels are sealed with a ligature to ensure they will not bleed after surgery. The incision is then closed with two layers of stitches under the skin that will dissolve and be absorbed by the body over time. The pet is then transferred to the recovery area where a trained team member closely observes recovery.

Neuter

The neuter surgery is simpler than a spay. Still, when an animal is neutered, they require general anesthetic so they don’t feel any pain during surgery. To help with post operative pain, medications are given around the surgery time and afterward to ensure patient comfort.

For your pet’s safety, we require preoperative blood screening to check for good organ function and general health. We also monitor vitals throughout the procedure and closely monitor your pet to ensure they wake up safely.

If your pet is healthy, we begin the procedure by intubating and anesthetizing so they feel no pain. The pet is placed tummy side up, and the skin where the surgery will be performed is scrubbed and cleansed to ensure sterility. Gas anesthesia will continue throughout the procedure.

The pet is transferred to the sterile operating room and the surgery area is draped to ensure sterility. Once the area is draped, the veterinarian makes an incision in front of the scrotum, cuts the stalks of the testicles with the ligature (sealing the blood vessels) and then removes the testicles through the incision. The skin is sutured closed and the pet is moved to the recovery area where a trained team member closely monitors recovery.

Although rare, a reaction to pre-anesthetic medication or general anesthesia can occur. If your pet has ever experienced an allergic reaction before, please be sure to let us know before any anesthetic procedure. Our standard of care is to do routine blood screening before any surgery, including spay and neuter to help prevent this type of risk.
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Spaying and neutering dogs and cats may also result in alterations to their metabolism. Consequently, they may require fewer calories per day to maintain an ideal body weight. Please ask one of our team if you have any concerns about providing appropriate nutrition to your pet.

Insurance companies do not typically offer this type of coverage to pet owners who have major medical or accident-only plans. However, some more comprehensive plans may include wellness or routine services. Ask your pet insurance company for more information. Cost is always a popular question/topic to address even if you can’t give an exact answer.