Spay and Neuter FAQs

Spay (done on female cats and dogs) and neuter (done on male cats and dogs) is a surgical sterilization procedure. One or a few small incisions are made in your pet's groin area, and the internal reproductive organs are removed (uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes for females, testicles for males).

We strongly encourage spay and neuter for local pets, for several reasons: 

• Sterilizing your pet prevents unwanted pregnancies and reduces the sad burden pet overpopulation. It also reduces the number of animals which may otherwise end up being euthanized due to shelter crowding. 
• Spayed females will not menstruate and may have a reduced risk of certain health problems.
• Neutered males also have a reduced risk of certain health problems and may exhibit fewer behavioral problems associated with the urge to mate, including roaming, aggression, and territorial marking.

Our vet can help you figure out the best time to have your animal spayed or neutered. Traditionally, puppies and kittens between the ages of 6 to 9 months are brought in for their surgery, however healthy animals as young as 8 weeks old may be eligible.

Our staff can help you detail the exact cost of your animal's sterilization procedure. The national average is typically around $200, but this may vary on a case-by-case basis.

Any surgery carries some amount of risk, however, our experienced staff does hundreds of these procedures a year and the rate of complications is extremely low. We'll be sure to do a thorough physical examination of your pet before the surgery and we always pledge to use the most up-to-date technology and techniques. These really are simple procedures!

There is some evidence to say that removal of reproductive organs may increase an animal's risk of certain cancers and other health problems, although we strongly feel that the risks of spay/neuter far outweigh the potential drawbacks. Chat with us about your options so you can be sure to make the most informed and appropriate decision for your pet and family.

Since we'll be using general anesthesia on your pet for the surgery, we'll ask you to have your pet fasted (no food within 12 hours of the scheduled surgery). We'll give you detailed post-surgical instructions including how to keep the incisions clean and how to recognize rare anesthesia complications (mild grogginess in your animal for about a day or two is completely normal). 

To read about pre-surgical instructions and fill out your surgery release form, please visit our Patient Forms.