Spay and neuter surgeries are some of the most frequently performed procedures in veterinary medicine. Not only do they prevent unwanted pregnancies, but they also prevent a number of problematic health and behavioral issues.

The Benefits of Spay and Neuter Surgery

Male and female cats and dogs can all benefit in the long term from being spayed or neutered. Some of the health and behavioral issues eliminated by this procedure include:

• Eliminates the heat cycle and spotting in females
• Reduces the risk of mammary tumors in females
• Prevents uterine infections and cancers in females
• Reduces roaming tendencies in males and females
• Reduces aggressive behavior in males
• Eliminates or reduces mounting and marking/spray behaviors in males
• Prevents testicular tumors in males
• Reduces the risk of prostate problems in males

Spaying and Neutering Reduces Overpopulation

Some owners are initially uncomfortable with the idea of taking away their pet’s ability to breed. However, spaying and neutering is not only a healthier option, but it also helps other animals stand a chance at adoption. Most unplanned pet pregnancies result in puppies or kittens whose owners are unwilling or unable to care for them. These animals usually end up in shelters or on the street as strays. In fact, the ASPCA estimates that approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. pet shelters each year. Sadly, a large number of these pets will never find a forever home. By preventing your pets from unexpectedly breeding, you can reduce the number of pets going into shelters, thereby increasing the odds of adopting current shelter residents.

What to Expect

We recommend spaying and neutering pets when they are roughly six months old, though it can vary pet by pet. When you bring your new puppy or kitten in for their first wellness exam or consultation, we will examine them, discuss your options, and plan accordingly.

If your pet is ready to undergo their spay/neuter, we will need to perform a pre-surgical exam and run blood work to make sure they’re healthy enough for anesthesia. If we detect problems, we can delay the procedure until the issue can be remedied. We follow the same protocols during spay and neuter procedures as we do with any pet surgery.

While your pet is under anesthesia, they will receive IV fluids for hydration and blood pressure support. Additionally, they will be kept warm with Bair Huggers and have their vital signs monitored throughout the procedure. Once they are out of surgery and wake up safely from their anesthesia, they can be released into your care.

Remember, it’s important to keep your pet as calm and contained as possible following their procedure so they can heal properly. We also ask that you notify us immediately if your pet is having any problems.

A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure to remove an abnormal growth on or below the skin surface or attached to an organ wall. A physical examination, along with tests, and biopsy may be conducted before a lumpectomy to determine the nature of the lump, the cells involved, and whether the lump is benign or malignant. Samples of the lump are usually sent for analysis at the time of lumpectomy whether or not biopsy was conducted before the procedure to confirm the diagnosis and establish tissue margins. A benign tumor may be treated with lumpectomy alone; malignant tumors may require additional treatment to ensure abnormal growths do not spread to other tissues. A lumpectomy will involve removing the abnormal growth and some of the healthy tissue surrounding it to ensure that the abnormal cells do not spread to surrounding tissues. Small lumpectomies at the skin surface may be performed under local anesthetic by your veterinarian, but most lumpectomies are performed under general anesthesia.