SPAY AND NEUTER
Spaying or neutering your pet is an important decision that can have a major impact on their health and wellbeing. Before you decide to proceed with the surgery, it’s important to understand what to expect during the procedure, how to prepare your pet and home for the surgery, and what aftercare instructions you should follow for a successful recovery.
Benefits of Spay & Neuter
One of the most important reasons to spay or neuter your dog is to help control the pet population. Unwanted litters of puppies can quickly contribute to an already crowded animal shelter system. Spaying or neutering your pet can help prevent this problem and ensure that your pet is not contributing to the overpopulation crisis.
Spaying and neutering also provide long-term health benefits for your pet. Female dogs that are spayed can avoid the development of uterine and ovarian cancer. Male dogs that are neutered can avoid the development of testicular cancer. Both sexes can benefit from the reduced risk of prostate cancer and other reproductive diseases.
Available Methods
Spay and neuter surgeries are performed on animals to prevent them from reproducing. The most common type of spay surgery is an ovariohysterectomy, which removes the ovaries and uterus, while a neuter surgery removes the testicles. Both types of surgeries are generally safe and routine procedures.
When it comes to spay and neuter surgeries, there are two types of surgery, laser and traditional. Laser surgery is a newer method, and is less invasive and has a quicker recovery time than traditional surgery. The laser seals the blood vessels as it cuts, which reduces the chance of bleeding and infection, and the incisions are smaller which reduces the amount of recovery time needed. Traditional surgery is more invasive and takes longer to heal, but it is also more affordable than laser surgery.
Before the surgery
The initial step in the process is to make an appointment with your veterinarian. During this appointment, your vet will discuss the spay or neuter procedure, what it entails and what risks may be associated. They will also review your pet’s health history, answer any questions you may have, and provide you with pre-surgery instructions.
It’s important to follow any pre-surgery instructions that your vet provides. This may include changing your pet’s diet and avoiding certain activities. For example, your vet may recommend that your pet not eat or drink anything after a certain time the night before the surgery.
Spay or Neuter surgery is a major procedure for any pet, and it’s important to make sure your pet is healthy and ready for the surgery. Before undergoing the surgery, your pet will likely go through a few lab tests. These tests are designed to identify any underlying health problems that could affect the outcome of the surgery.
The most common lab tests used before a spay or neuter surgery include a complete blood count (CBC) and a biochemical profile. Both of these tests provide important information about the overall health of your pet. The CBC will look at red and white blood cells, which can give your vet clues about your pet’s overall health. The biochemical profile looks at specific enzymes and proteins in the blood, which can help detect any possible organ dysfunction.
The veterinarian may also request additional tests, such as a urinalysis, to check for the presence of infection. In some cases, an X-ray or an ultrasound may be recommended to get a closer look at the internal organs.
All of these tests are important in making sure that your pet is healthy enough to go through the surgery. By having these tests done beforehand, you can ensure that your pet is in the best possible condition before going through a major procedure.
Once the results of the lab tests are in, the veterinarian can then make a determination on whether or not the pet is healthy enough to go through the surgery. If the tests reveal any problems, the veterinarian can recommend a course of action to address the issue before the surgery is done.
Additional Procedures
When a dog is put under anesthesia to get spayed or neutered, there are other procedures that can be done at the same time. In some cases, it’s best to take care of multiple issues at once. This can save both time and money. . A hernia repair, stenotic nares repair, dental cleaning, and tooth removal are all procedures that can be done while your pet is under anesthesia for their spay or neuter procedure.
Hernia repair is a common procedure in which a weakened area of the abdominal wall is sutured together. This helps to strengthen the abdominal wall and can reduce the risk of hernias occurring in the future. Stenotic nares repair is a procedure that opens up the nasal passages, allowing your pet to breathe more easily. Dental cleaning and tooth removal are important in maintaining your pet’s oral health and can help to reduce the risk of dental disease.
All of these procedures are safe and can be completed while your pet is under anesthesia for their spay or neuter procedure. By performing these additional procedures at the same time, your pet can experience less stress and fewer trips to the vet. Additionally, you will save time and money by completing all of these procedures at once.
The Day of the Surgery
On the day of the surgery, make sure to keep your pet calm and comfortable. Consider bringing a blanket or toy to the vet that smells like home to provide comfort during the procedure. Additionally, it is recommended to use an Elizabethan collar or “cone” to prevent your pet from licking or biting the surgical site after the surgery. Your veterinarian will provide one, but there are more comfortable options available
On the day of a spay or neuter surgery, the dog will be brought to the veterinarian. The surgery typically takes around 1-2 hours and the dog will typically stay at the veterinarian for the rest of the day. After the surgery, the veterinarian will go over post-operative care instructions with the owner and provide the necessary medications and supplies.
After the Surgery
After the procedure, it is recommended to keep your pet in a quiet and comfortable place away from other animals and children. To make the recovery process more comfortable and enjoyable, consider providing your pet with an orthopedic bed, body suit, and mental stimulation games. This will help them relax and keep them busy while they are healing.
Important Instructions to remember:
- Restrict your pet’s activity for 7-10 days. Pets should be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry, and warm.
- Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision. Your pet may have received an Elizabethan collar to prevent this.
- Check the incision site daily for redness, swelling, or discharge. Contact your veterinarian if you see any of these signs.
- Do not allow your pet to swim or get wet for 7-10 days.
- Give your pet the pain medication as instructed by your veterinarian.