Okanagan Veterinary Hospital
Spay & Neuter
Spaying or neutering your pet can help them live a longer, healthier life, minimize behavior problems, and help control the stray population.
Overview
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 12,500 puppies are born in the United States each hour. Spaying females or neutering males eliminates unwanted litters, which contribute to thousands of euthanasia procedures and millions of stray animals. Additionally, these procedures may help your pet live a longer, healthier life, minimize behavior problems, and help control the population of unwanted pets
When should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
While usually recommended at a young age, it is important to consult with our veterinarians to determine the best age for your pet. You can reduce the likelihood of certain cancers and tumors by spaying or neutering at the right age.
Why should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
There are many benefits that come with spaying your female companion animal. These benefits include helping to control the dog and cat population, eliminating undesirable 'messy' heat cycles that attract male dogs, preventing diseases in your pet such as pyometra (infection in the uterus) and mammary cancer. Generally, spayed pets live longer than pets that have not been spayed.
There are also many benefits that come with neutering your male companion animal. These benefits include helping to control the dog and cat population, eliminate undesirable and embarrassing behavior and prevent diseases in your pet such as prostate disease and testicular cancer.
How is a spay or neutering surgery performed?
Spaying is a surgical procedure in which both ovaries and sometimes the uterus are completely removed from your female pet while they are under general anesthesia. We pride ourselves in performing ovariectomies where we only remove the ovaries reducing surgical time.
Neutering refers to the surgical procedure in which both testicles are removed while your male pet is under general anesthesia.
Your pet’s safety and comfort are our primary concerns when performing a spay or neuter. We use advanced pain management techniques in conjunction with anesthesia to make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible during the procedure and after they are discharged. Proper pain management reduces some anesthetic complications during surgery and allows for a faster recovery following surgery.