Spay & Neuter
Every year thousands of stray and unwanted animals are euthanized in shelters across the United States. Many of these deaths are the avoidable result of owners failing to spay and neuter their pets. Even if you keep a close watch on your pet, accidents happen, and unexpected offspring means more animals that won’t be given the chance at full, happy lives.
Spaying and neutering can help end this cycle, and both procedures can have health benefits for pets.
Spaying
Spaying is a common surgical procedure performed on female cats and dogs. The process is called an ovariohysterectomy and involves removing the patient’s uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, rendering the animal incapable of reproduction.
For our feline patients, our veterinarians recommend spaying and neutering between 4-6 months of age.
For our canine patients, there are many factors that are taken into consideration when deciding the appropriate age to spay or neuter. This age can range between 4-24 months of age! You and your pet’s veterinarian can come up with the best treatment plan based on the lifestyle, breed, and medical history of your pet
Benefits:
- Prevents unwanted pregnancies
- Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine tumors
- Remove the possibility of uterine infections
- Spaying reduces the risk of mammary cancer in many cases
What to expect after surgery
Spaying is a major surgery requiring 7-10 days of recovery time. Recovery may also include pain medication and lethargy is common for the first couple of days following the procedure. A small, green tattoo is applied post-surgery that signifies that the animal is spayed should she ever get lost or taken to a shelter.
Neutering
Neutering is performed on male cats and dogs. This process castrates the animal, removing their testicles and making them unable to impregnate females. Neutering is advised when your pet is 4-6 months old but can be performed on older animals as well.
Benefits
- Reduces roaming and spraying (territory marking)
- Eliminates the risk of testicular and prostate tumors
What to expect after surgery
Although less invasive than spaying, neutering is still a major medical procedure that requires some recovery time. Recovery may also include pain medication and lethargy is common for the first couple of days following the procedure. It’s extremely important that you monitor your pet to prevent the animal from licking or biting the incision to reduce the risk of infection.
To learn more about spaying and neutering in Midlothian, VA, or to make an appointment, contact us at (804) 794-3778.
