Spaying and Neutering

Spaying/Ovariohysterectomy (females) or Neutering/Castrating (males) can be performed by 6 months of age, in puppies and kittens.  It is recommended to have all vaccinations up to date before this is done, to ensure your pet is fully protected against all diseases before being hospitalized at a veterinary clinic.

Spaying/Ovariohysterectomy

Spaying your pet helps control the pet population.  It prevents your pet from going into “heat”, which in turns ensures your female pet does not run away to seek a male, leading to an unwanted pregnancy.  It can help prevent false pregnancies, and pyometras (infection of the uterus), which can cause your pet to become very ill.  It helps eliminate the chance of your pet developing breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer.

Spaying is a major abdominal surgery, which requires a general anesthetic.  Some veterinary clinics may require pre-anesthetic blood work performed prior to surgery, to ensure there are no underlying problems occurring with your pet before the anesthetic is administered.  The veterinary staff will usually place an intravenous catheter to administer the anesthetic, to deliver fluid therapy, and in the event of complications, to have access to a vein to administer life saving medications.  An endotracheal tube (breathing tube) is placed into your pets’ trachea to deliver oxygen and gas anesthetic into the lungs, in order to maintain anesthesia.  A small incision is made on the abdomen of your pet and the uterus and ovaries are removed.  Recovery is usually quick, with your pet able to go back to her normal routine after 10-14 days.

Neutering/Castration

Neutering helps control the pet population.  It helps prevent prostate cancer, hormonal related diseases, testicular cancer, aggression, and roaming males looking for females.  In cats it helps prevent the spraying or marking of territory around your house.

Neutering does require a general anesthetic.  It is recommended to have pre-anesthetic blood work before the surgery to ensure there are no underlying problems with you pet before the anesthetic is administered.  The veterinary staff will usually place an intravenous catheter to administer the anesthetic, to deliver fluid therapy, and in the event of complications, to have access to a vein to administer life saving medications.  An endotracheal tube (breathing tube) is placed into your pets’ trachea to deliver oxygen and gas anesthetic into your pets’ lungs, to maintain anesthesia.  A small incision is made above the scrotum and the testicles are removed.  Recovery is usually quick, with your cat returning to his normal routine after a few days, and your dog after 7-10 days.