Why Spay or Neuter?
Spaying and neutering do more than prevent unwanted litters. They can also remove significant health risks (such as ovarian or uterine tumors in female dogs or cats) and can alleviate many problematic behaviors associated with mating (such as aggression or territorialism in male dogs).
Spaying a female dog or cat will stop ovulation and “heat” cycles for your pet, whereas neutering male animals will make them less likely to roam in search of mates or to stake out territory against potential rivals.
Spaying female dogs can remove or reduce the risk for certain types of cancers, including uterine, ovarian, and mammary cancers. In male animals, neutering removes the risk for testicular cancer as well as prostatitis (enlarged prostate).
The procedure has no effect on an animal’s intelligence, nor on its ability to learn, play, or hunt. Some pets tend to respond to the surgery by being less restless and better behaved.
- Blood Tests — these tests help us track red and white blood cell counts and assess your pet’s organ function
- Imaging Studies — Radiographs (x-rays) help our team visualize the site before the procedure
- Heart Monitoring — ECG/EKG monitoring helps us evaluate for any structural or valvular heart defect
.
- IV Catheter — allows venous access and IV fluid infusions
- General Anesthesia — your pet is intubated and given an inhaled anesthetic
- Vital signs such as heart rate, body temperature, respiration, and blood pressure are all monitored by a skilled technician throughout the procedure
- Our staff will talk with you about how the procedure went
- While your pet recovers with us, we’ll keep you informed of their progress
- We will provide you with detailed instructions to help you care for your pet at home
- And finally, we’ll schedule a follow-up visit so we can see how your pet is recovering!
