Spay and Neuter Services for Cats and Dogs

First – let’s get the complicated language straightened out. A spay procedure is for female pets and a neuter procedure is for male pets.

We recommend spay or neuter procedures for kittens and puppies after 6 months of age. For most pets, this is a wise choice that improves their overall health and wellness over the course of their lifetime. How does it improve their health?

For example, a spaying procedure benefits a cat or dog by:

  • Preventing pregnancy and the complications arising from pregnancy and delivery
  • Eliminating the heat cycle – you won’t have to try to manage your female pet when they are in heat, trying to get out to find a mate, the mess of the estrus cycle and the crying of your pet during their heat cycle.
  • Reducing your pet’s urge to roam. This makes it less likely that they will wander, get lost, less likely to contract a disease, get in a fight, get injured, or become a victim to cruelty, poison, or traffic.
  • Reducing the possibility of disease in the reproductive system.

BENEFITS OF NEUTERING

For male animals, a neuter procedure helps them because it:

  • Reduces the distracting and destructive behavior associated with a male’s efforts to get out and find a mate
  • Reduces the urge to roam. This makes your pet less likely to contract a disease, get in a fight, get injured, or become a victim to cruelty, poison, or traffic
  • Significantly decreases testicular tumors and reduces prostate gland problems
  • In cats, neutering reduces marking behavior (territorial spraying of urine)
  • Reduces the urge to fight.The other compelling reason to spay or neuter your pet is the very real fact that there are not enough loving homes available to adopt all the needy pets Humane societies, shelters, dog pounds, rescue foundations…..they are all forced to humanely euthanize animals simply because no homes were available

We put together the chart below, which explains benefits to the animal of undergoing a spay and neutering procedure from the perspective of the animal. While it feels like a very emotional decision, there are many reasons why it is also a logical decision. We also acknowledge that this is a personal decision and hope you will come talk to us with your questions at (604) 521-0781. Together we will find the decision that works for you and your pet.

Ovariectomy for Kittens or Puppies

Why is an ovariectomy a good choice ?

The difference between a spaying and an ovariectomy is the similar in humans to having a tubal ligation (tubes tied) versus a complete hysterectomy. In a spay procedure, the two ovaries and the uterus are removed, while in an ovariectomy only the ovaries are removed.

For your pet, an ovariectomy means less surgery time, less trauma and decreased potential for complications. These two methods of sterilization are equally successful for pets. However, ovariectomies must be performed before your pet’s first estrus cycle.

You will need to work with your veterinarian to determine when the best time for this surgery is for your pet. If you miss the time frame, they will need to be spayed instead.

Common Questions about Ovariectomies

Q. WILL MY PET ACT ANY DIFFERENTLY BETWEEN THE TWOSURGERIES?

A. No, with both surgeries the end result will be sterilization without alteration of their behavior

Q. IF THE UTERUS IS LEFT IN THE OVE, CAN MY PET BECOME PREGNANT?

A. No, as the ovaries are removed, no egg release will occur, no hormonal cycling will occur, and therefore no chance of pregnancy

Q. IS THERE ANY CHANCE OF DISEASE WITH LEAVING THE UTERUS IN THE PET?

A. Most complications involving the uterus post surgery involve poor surgical technique with removal of the ovaries and can occur with either technique. Leaving the uterus in the pet could result in a very low percentage of tumors developing [0.03%]. If tumors were to occur, the vast majorities are easily resected and tend not to spread. Finally, post-spay [OVH] vulvular bleeding which occurs in 15% of all spays is avoided as the uterus is not opened up.

Because an ovariectomy procedure causes less trauma, is less risky, and causes less pain, it is the wisest choice for most pets.

Reference: BART VAN GOETHEM, DVM, AUKE SCHAEFERS-OKKENS, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ECAR, and JOLLE KIRPENSTEIJN, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS & ECVS, Veterinary Surgery, 35:136–143, 2006