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Spay & Neuter

Spaying or neutering helps prevent health issues, unwanted litters, and certain behavioral challenges.

Spay & Neuter: Caring for Your Pet and Preventing Unplanned Litters
Spaying and neutering are among the most common—and most important—procedures we offer for dogs and cats. These safe, routine surgeries help prevent unwanted pregnancies while supporting your pet’s long-term health and behavior.

Whether you’ve just adopted a young puppy or kitten, or you're considering the procedure for an adult pet, spay and neuter services play a key role in responsible pet care.

What Is Spaying or Neutering?

  • Spaying refers to the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus in female pets.

  • Neutering (also called castration) refers to the removal of the testicles in male pets.

Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia and are typically completed in a single day. Pets usually recover quickly, with most returning to normal activity within a few days.

Why It Matters

Spay and neuter procedures offer a wide range of benefits for both pets and pet parents:

Health Benefits:

  • Reduces the risk of certain cancers (mammary, uterine, testicular)

  • Eliminates the risk of life-threatening uterine infections (pyometra)

  • Can lead to a longer, healthier life

Behavioral Benefits:

  • Decreases hormone-driven behaviors like marking, roaming, and vocalizing

  • May reduce aggression or dominance behaviors in some pets

Community Benefits:

  • Helps prevent overpopulation and the strain on shelters and rescues

  • Reduces the number of homeless animals in the community

When Should My Pet Be Spayed or Neutered?

Most pets are spayed or neutered between 4 to 6 months of age, but timing can vary based on breed, size, and individual health. Your veterinarian will guide you on the ideal timing based on your pet’s needs.

What to Expect

  1. Pre-surgical exam and bloodwork to ensure your pet is healthy for anesthesia

  2. Safe anesthesia protocol tailored to your pet's size, age, and breed

  3. Surgical sterilization performed by an experienced veterinary team in a sterile environment

  4. Monitoring and pain control throughout the procedure and during recovery

  5. Discharge instructions and home care plan to help your pet heal comfortably

We also provide optional post-operative checkups to ensure the incision is healing properly and that your pet is back to their usual self.

Spaying or neutering is a simple procedure that leads to lifelong health and behavioral benefits. Our team is here to answer any questions and support you every step of the way—from the first exam through full recovery.

🐾 Looking to keep your pet healthy and happy? Visit us—we’re here to support every step of the way.

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FAQs

Answers to Common Questions

These nasty pests are quite common in our area and can be harmful to your pet. Flea bites are very irritating to your pet's skin and cause them to scratch and gnaw at the affected areas, resulting in infection. If you notice your pet scratching more than usual, there is a good chance they have fleas.

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is extraordinarily poisonous to both humans and our pets. A very small amount can be very dangerous to any pet. Antifreeze is especially difficult because it both smells and tastes sweet. If you believe your pet has ingested any amount of antifreeze, please call immediately.

Of course! If you are able, please be prepared with any questions or concerns you may have. We will be happy to address them during your appointment.

Necessary vaccinations vary from pet to pet. We take into consideration the lifestyle, age, and health status of every animal before developing a vaccine protocol.

The annual examination includes a tip-to-tail review of your pet. We examine the entire body to assess the health of your pet. We check the mouth to see if periodontal disease is present (which is an infection that can affect the heart, liver, and kidneys), ensure that your pet is the appropriate weight, listen to the heart and lungs, look for signs of infection and also ensure that your pet is moving normally.

We recommend testing a fecal sample from each pet on a yearly basis to check for internal parasites. Most of the internal parasites that we find on animals are too small to be seen in the feces. Also, pets are not necessarily having diarrhea or losing weight as a result of these parasites.