“Spaying” refers to the surgical removal of the reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries) of a female animal . We typically recommend this procedure when your pet reaches approximately 6 months of age. We do recommend spaying older intact (unspayed) females who are in good health, given the multiple health benefits that spaying provides. Spaying cats and dogs contributes to the prevention of overpopultion, and eliminates the undesirable messy heat cycle. Most importantly, spaying prevents your pet from developing a life-threatening pyometra (uterine infection), and dramatically lowers her risk of mammary cancer later in life.
Your pet will be gently placed under general anesthesia, using the safest anesthetic protocols. A skilled surgical technician will closely monitor her vital signs throughout the procedure, via EKG, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure measurement. Although the risk of anesthetic emergencies in a healthy pet is very rare, our monitoring devices and procedures allow us to respond to an emergency quickly. Pain management begins intraoperatively and is continued at home while your pet is healing. Please call or visit our hospital to learn more about your pet’s spay.
