Spaying/Neutering

Spaying or neutering your dog will make him/her a healthier and happier dog. All dogs not intended for breeding should be surgically spayed or neutered for many reasons:

FEMALES: Benefits Of Spaying (Ovariohysterectomy)

• Prevents signs of estrus (heat).
• Prevents blood stains on the cardog from the “heat” cycle.
• Decreases surplus of puppies.
• Decreases the chance of developing breast tumors or breast cancer later in life, especially if done at a young age.
• Prevents the occurrence of cystic ovaries and uterine infections (such as pyometra) later in life. These conditions can be serious, even fatal, if they occur.
• Prevents breast development if done before breeding age.

MALES: Benefits Of Neutering (Castration)

• Decreases the desire to roam the neighborhood.
• Decreases aggression, may become more loving dogs (more affectionate).
• Decreases incidence of prostate cancer and other prostate disease later in life.
• Helps prevents male territorial behaviors.

Your community will also benefit! Unwanted animals are becoming a very real concern. As a potential source of rabies and other diseases, they can become a public health hazard. The capture, impoundment, and eventual destruction of unwanted animals will cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

Facts about Spaying/Neutering:

Spaying will not cause your dog to get fat or lazy. This comes from overfeeding and poor exercise.

Personalities are not altered by spaying. Personalities do not fully develop until two years of age. Aggressiveness and viciousness are not the result of surgery. Personalities will only get better!

Surgical risk in young animals is very slight due to modern anesthesia and techniques, but there is always some small risk when an anesthetic is used. It is much easier on your dog to be spayed before going through a “heat” cycle, due to the  smaller size of the reproductive tract. Your dog's veterinarian can help you determine when your dog is old enough to be spayed.

Surgery is performed painlessly while your dog is under general anesthesia. When your dog is spayed or neutered, your veterinarian will place a tube into his/her throat to protect his/her airway. Your veterinarian and his/her staff will monitor your dog carefully during and after the surgery to ensure a successful and safe outcome. Parameters monitored usually include respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature, amount of carbon dioxide being breathed out (ETCO2), amount of oxygen in the blood (PO2), electrical activity in the heart via an ECG, and blood pressure. Your dog will receive pain medications before, during and after the surgical procedure. Your dog's veterinarian may dispense pain medication for you to give your dog at home for a few days after the surgery while your dog recovers.