Spay/Neuter FAQs

You must schedule a spay/neuter appointment for the day you would like to drop off your pet for surgery. Surgeries are performed Monday—Friday. Pets must be dropped off between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM and picked up between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM.

9 AM is REQUIRED SURGERY DROP-OFF TIME: All surgical patients are briefly examined by a vet, weighed, and pre-medicated before surgery begins at 9 AM. We cannot accept late spay/neuter arrivals (after 9 AM) due to the fact that it takes staff away from monitoring patients that are already anesthetized. Late pets will be rescheduled for surgery as soon as possible according to openings on the Spay/Neuter Clinic surgery calendar.

Volume! We perform over 15,000 spay and neuter surgeries each year. Unlike a private practice vet office, who may perform a handful per day, we can spay/neuter 50–80 (or more!) every day, 5 days a week. We utilize the same quality materials, licensed veterinarians, and anesthetic protocols that you would expect from your family veterinarian.

Yes, they are all licensed. Many have also worked in private practice.

Yes, the price includes the following: anesthesia, surgery, pre- and post-operative care and pain relief injections. Extra pain medication to be given at home will be sent home with your pet after surgery.

Yes. It is critical to follow Post-Surgery Instructions given at the time of surgery or available on the website. If the animal is left outside, the risk of complications/infection is much greater.

The benefits! Our main goals are to prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce pet overpopulation.

In addition, studies have shown:

• Pediatric spay/neuter (8-16 weeks of age) is less physiologically stressful on patients and results in fewer complications than spay/neuter surgery performed at an older age.
• Spaying an animal before the first heat prevents the development of mammary gland tumors and other life-threatening conditions later in life.
• Pediatric neuter reduces the urge of male animals to spray urine to mark territory, and to roam and fight with other male animals.

A spay is the removal of both ovaries and uterus (a complete ovariohysterectomy). Spayed (female) dogs are at a lower risk for ovarian cancers and cysts, mammary gland tumors, and uterine infections.

Neutering is the removal of both testicles. Neutered males are less likely to get prostate disease and testicular cancer. They are also less likely to act aggressive or wander away from home.

A spay is the removal of both ovaries and uterus (a complete ovariohysterectomy). Spayed (female) cats are at a lower risk for ovarian cancers and cysts, mammary gland tumors, and uterine infections. They will also cease their crying and wailing during heat cycles!

Neutering is the removal of both testicles. Castrated males are less susceptible to prostate disease and testicular cancer. In addition, they are often more affectionate and less likely to spray, fight, or wander from home.

It depends upon the breed; however, female dogs usually go into heat every 6 months for a duration of approximately 2 weeks.  Female dogs will spot blood during this time. Cats typically stay in heat for 1–7 days, and can cycle into heat approximately every 3 months.

Yes, as long as the animal is otherwise healthy.

Studies show that neutering can make male dogs less aggressive and decrease “marking of their territory.”

Usually, if a male cat is neutered before he begins to spray, he will not spray. If he is already spraying and is then neutered, there is a chance that he will stop spraying.

The only surgery we will perform other than spay/neuter is repair of a reducible umbilical hernia (the fat from the abdomen can be pushed back through into the abdomen).  If it is a non-reducible hernia, then it is considered cosmetic and will not be revised.