Spay and Neuter FAQs
What is a spay?
During a spay procedure, your pet’s uterus and ovaries are removed so that she can no longer have babies. This is called an ovariohysterectomy. Her belly will be shaved and there will be an incision at the midline below her belly button.
What is a neuter?
During a neuter procedure, your pet’s testicles are removed so that he can no longer impregnate a female. This is called an orchiectomy or castration. For a routine neuter, a small incision is made in scrotum or in the skin between the penis and the scrotum. If your pet is cryptorchid (meaning that one or more testicles has not dropped into the scrotum) another incision is made either in the groin area or into the belly, similar to a spay.
Is anesthesia safe?
Although no anesthetic procedure is completely without risk, our team takes several steps to minimize that risk starting with a thorough pre-anesthetic exam and testing. Once it’s determined to be safe to anesthetize your pet, an anesthetic plan will be devised specific for your pet’s age, breed, and procedure. Continuous monitoring (including heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and blood oxygenation levels) will take place during the procedure and your pet will be under the care of a surgical technician as they recover. We use warming blankets to maintain normal body temperature during surgery and your pet will recover in a cozy and comfortable bed.
Will my pet be in pain afterward?
Pain is treated in a variety of ways to ensure that your pet is comfortable. Being under general anesthesia prevents your pet from feeling pain during the procedure. Local nerve blocks are applied to numb the surgery sites. The incision is treated with cold laser therapy to reduce pain, inflammation, and scar tissue formation. Injectable pain medication and anti-inflammatories are given in the hospital and then followed up with oral or topical medications to provide pain relief at home.
Will my pet have sutures to remove?
In general, the incision is closed with absorbable sutures under the skin that do not need to be removed.
What should I do to prepare for my pet’s surgery?
- Feed your pet their normal dinner and then feed another small snack at bedtime. Your pet can have access to water over night.
- Do not feed your pet the morning of the procedure.
- Administer daily medications as usual unless otherwise instructed by the veterinarian. If your vet has prescribed anxiety-relieving medication to be given on the morning of the procedure, it can be given with a small treat.
- Be sure to walk your dog the morning of the procedure. We wish to avoid having your pet urinate or defecate on themselves during anesthesia or in recovery.
- Arrive at the scheduled drop-off time (between 8:00 – 8:30).
- Set up a quiet spot where your pet can continue to recover when they get home.
What can I expect during my pet’s recovery?
- You may notice the effects of anesthesia on the first night after surgery. Your pet may be groggy, uncoordinated, or whiney. Some pets may experience temporary urinary incontinence.
- Your pet can eat after surgery when they get home. Start with a small portion of food to avoid vomiting. If your pet is still hungry, you can feed another small portion.
- Most pets will be back to normal by the following morning. Be sure to restrict your pet’s activity to avoid complications with healing. Calming medications can be prescribed for your pet’s recovery period if you think activity restriction will be difficult.
- Your pet will need to wear something to prevent licking, chewing, and scratching at the incision for one week. We have plastic cone collars and cushioned neck donuts for this purpose. If you prefer, you can purchase a surgical suit or deterrent collar on your own. Please bring it with you on the morning of the procedure so we can ensure a proper fit.
Please contact our office with additional questions. We are here to help!