It is highly recommended that all patients undergoing surgery and anesthesia have pre-surgical blood work done.  This is to ensure that te organs (kidneys and liver) are functioning properly to allow your pet to go under and wake up safely from the anesthesia.  This blood work is required for animals over 3 years of age.

We will contact you by phone when your pet’s surgery is over.  Your pet will be somewhat groggy after the surgery, but will be awake by the time you pick your pet up.  Spay and neuter patients are able to go home the same day after 4:00pm.  All orthopedic patients will spend the night and will be released after 10:00am.  The morning after the surgery, all patients are checked and offered breakfast.  We will contact you first thing in the morning if a complication should occur.  You will receive a complete set of instructions on how to care for your pet when you take them home.

Ovariohysterectomy is the medical term for spaying an animal.  This procedure consists of surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus.  If the ovaries are not removed, the bothersome heat periods still occur even though pregnancy is impossible.  Surgery is usually performed after 4 months of age, preferably when your pet is not in her heat cycle.  For larger dogs, we recommend to wait to spay until 10 months of age due to prevention of incontinence in their future.

Though it is routinely performed, spaying is a major abdominal surgery, requiring a general anesthesia and sterile operating techniques.

Prevention of pregnancy and heat periods is the main reason for the surgery, but the procedure is often necessary in treating severe uterine infections (pyometra), ovarian and/or uterine tumors, and some skin disorders.

There will be no heat periods

There will be no unwanted puppies or kittens

No uterine infections

50% reduction in breast cancer incidence

Castration is the medical term for neutering an animal.  This procedure consists of surgical removal of the testicles.  Such surgery is performed to eliminate sexual activities and render the pet sterile.  Neutering usually (but not always) reduces a pet’s tendency to roam and fight.  The general level of aggression may also be reduced.  However, neutering is not a replacement for obedience training by the owner.  In older pets, neutering may be necessary due to diseases of the testicle or prostate gland.

Exibit less aggression

Less urine marking

Decreased wandering to seek females in heat

Decreased prostate issues when they get older

No unwanted puppies or kittens