Procedure
SPAYING: The medical term for this procedure is ovariohysterectomy. The procedure involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus from a female animal. This is an abdominal surgery performed under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian. The health benefits for this include prevention of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and life-threatening uterus infections. This surgery also prevents your pet from becoming pregnant so that fewer unwanted puppies and kittens are born, put in shelters and then killed if not adopted.
NEUTERING: The medical term for this procedure is orchiectomy. This applies to male pets and involves surgical removal of the testicles. A licensed veterinarian 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 fewer unwanted puppies and kittens are born, put in shelters and then killed if not adopted.
At the time of preparation for surgery, your pet will be given a short-acting intravenous injection to induce anesthesia. A breathing tube is then placed into your pet’s trachea (windpipe) 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 completing the procedure, the incision is 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 completely awakens. This usually takes 10-15 minutes. When your pet begins to awaken, the tracheal tube is carefully removed to allow the patient to breathe normally.