Spaying and Neutering: A Vital Choice for Your Pet’s Health

At Emerald Veterinary Service, we believe that spaying and neutering your pets is one of the best ways to ensure their long-term health. Not only do these procedures help reduce the population of unwanted cats and dogs, but they also decrease the risk of certain health issues, including:

  • Uterine infections
  • Breast cancer
  • Enlarged prostate glands
  • Testicular cancer

Unspayed or unneutered pets are more likely to roam in search of mates, increasing their chances of getting lost, injured, or involved in fights. Studies show that Neutered male dogs live an average of 18% longer, and Spayed female dogs live an average of 23% longer than their unspayed and unneutered counterparts.

What to Expect

We understand that some pet owners may feel apprehensive about surgical procedures, but spaying and neutering are among the most common surgeries we perform. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Comfortable Sedation: Your pet will be comfortably sedated throughout the surgery, ensuring their safety and the safety of our staff.
  • Anesthesia Monitoring: During the entire procedure, your pet will be fully monitored to ensure their safety while under anesthesia.
  • For Female Pets:
    • Ovariectomy: We make a small incision in the abdomen to remove the ovaries. Depending on the case, your pet may go home the same day or stay overnight.
    • Post-Surgery Care: To prevent licking at the incision, we will provide a protective cone-shaped collar. Activity should be limited for 10-14 days, and we always prescribe pain medication for comfort.
  • For Male Pets:
    • Castration: We remove both testes through a small incision in the scrotum. Since this procedure is less invasive, most male pets can return home the same day.
    • Post-Surgery Care: Activity should be restricted for 7-10 days, and a protective cone-shaped collar may be provided to prevent irritation at the surgical site, and we always prescribe pain medication for comfort.

If you have questions about spaying and neutering your pets or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (512) 904-0045.