Spay and Neuter Surgery Overview

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

When Should I Have My Cat or Dog Spayed or Neutered?

In general, we recommend spaying or neutering small dogs and cats around 6 months of age. With large breed dogs, our veterinarians often recommend delaying the surgery until they are older because of their bone growth.

Why Should I Have My Pet Spayed or Neutered?

Many benefits come with spaying or neutering your pets. They include helping to control the stray dog and cat population, reducing behavioral concerns, and decreasing the risk of disease. Local shelters report a large percentage of cats are rehomed due to negative sexual behaviors contributed to remaining intact.

In females, spaying will eliminate the sometimes 'messy' heat cycles that attract male dogs, and prevent diseases in your pet such as Pyometra (infection in the uterus) and mammary cancer. Additionally, research has shown that spayed pets live longer than pets that have not been spayed.

For your male pet, benefits include helping to control the stray dog and cat population, eliminating undesirable and embarrassing behavior, and preventing diseases in your pet such as prostate disease and testicular cancer. In male cats, neutering greatly reduces male territory marking, roaming, and fighting.

How Is a Spay or Neuter Surgery Performed For My Cat or Dog?

Spaying, also called an "ovariohysterectomy," is a surgical procedure in which both ovaries and uterus are completely removed from your female cat or dog while they are under general anesthesia. Castrating ("neuter") refers to the surgical procedure in which both testicles are removed while your male dog or cat is under general anesthesia.

Before the operation, the veterinarians at Creature Comforts Veterinary Hospital will assess your pet to minimize risk. While your cat or dog is under anesthesia we take individual care for the safety of each pet. Our technicians and doctors are trained in anesthesia monitoring to ensure your pet's comfort.

Your pet’s safety and comfort are our primary concerns when performing a spay or neuter surgery. We routinely use an IV catheter and fluids on canine spays and castrations, as well as feline spays. 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.

At Creature Comforts Veterinary Hospital, 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 2 or 3 different 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.

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