"Spay and Neuter" Explained

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SPAY: The medical term for this procedure is ovariohysterectomy. The procedure involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus in a female animal. This is an abdominal surgery performed under anesthesia and done by a licensed veterinarian. The health benefits for this include prevention of breast cancer and life-threatening uterus infections. This surgery also prevents your pet from becoming pregnant so that less unwanted puppies and kittens are born, put in shelters and then killed if they don’t find homes.

NEUTER: The medical term for this procedure is orchiectomy. This applies to male pets and involves surgical removal of the testicles. A licensed veterinarian also performs this while the patient is placed under general anesthesia. The health benefits for this include prevention of life-threatening prostate infections and testicular cancer. As with female dogs, this surgery prevents your pet from causing pregnancy so that less unwanted puppies and kittens are born, put in shelters and then killed if they don’t find homes.

At the time of preparation for surgery, your pet will be given a short-acting intravenous injection to completely anesthetize him or her. A breathing (endotracheal) tube is then placed into your pet’s throat (trachea) so that anesthetic gas and oxygen can be administered to keep your pet completely asleep for the entire surgery. Your pet will then be shaved and the surgical site will be cleaned thoroughly with a special surgical scrub designed to ensure that the incision area is free of bacteria.

At this time, a pulse oximeter will be attached to your pet's tongue to monitor the blood oxygen levels and heartbeat to be sure your pet is having no complications while under anesthesia. If abnormalities are detected, we will stop the procedure and wake your pet up from anesthesia.

A sterilized surgery pack is used to perform this routine procedure. After completion of the procedure, the incision is then sutured (stitched) with a suture material that will dissolve on its own. The gas anesthesia is then discontinued and your pet is monitored by a nurse until he/she wakes up from the anesthesia. This usually takes 10-15 minutes. When your pet begins to awaken, the endotracheal tube is carefully removed to allow the patient to breath normally.