Spaying or Neutering Your Pet

Spaying (female) and neutering (male) is important to your pet’s health. While your pet will no longer be able to reproduce, their overall health is a key reason to consider the procedure. Other benefits include improved behavior, elimination of unwanted pregnancies and neglected pets, and decreased risk for certain cancers and infections. Your pet will live a longer, healthier, more socialized lifestyle.


Animal Doctor recommends that female and male cats should be spayed or neutered prior to 6 months of age (puberty). Female and male dogs that are small to medium sized should be spayed or neutered between 4-6 months of age. Large and giant breeds should be fixed a little later; at 1-2 years of age to allow for stronger ligaments, tendons, and joints, as well as more muscle development.


Spaying and neutering your pet does not deprive him or her of any element of their life that he/she is aware of or needs. Do NOT make the mistake of placing human values and concerns onto your pet. Dogs and cats do not “want” a litter of young. Reproduction in animals is a biological function, like drinking water when thirsty. They do not have an emotional need to reproduce.

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Spaying Your Pet:

Spaying your pet will decrease the incidence of breast cancer and eliminates the chance of developing a serious and potentially fatal infection of the uterus experience by many mature unspayed animals (pyometra). It will also prevent unwanted pregnancy in your pet. Spaying will result in a cleaner pet and home because when a female is in heat, they pass bloody fluid for approximately 3 days to 3 weeks. Spaying also eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer.

Neutering Your Pet:

Most intact male dogs have a higher level of aggression towards other males and dominance problems may start between you and your intact male dog as he challenges your position in the home. Unaltered male dogs and cats have a strong tendency to want to mark their territory and this behavior begins to mature sexually. Cats will also spray and their urine has a very potent odor that is very hard to remove from the environment. Males that are not neutered will also attempt to mount at times of excitement.

Neutering will allow your pet to become a better family member and he will be content to stay home and become devoted and well-behaved. It will also greatly reduce the incidence of prostatic cancer, the likelihood to roam, and eliminates the chance of developing testicular cancer.

Why choose Animal Doctor?

The DVM and surgery technician are required to sterilize prior to entering the room. While in surgery each staff member must wear scrubs, a mask, and gloves. Our surgical procedures and anesthesia protocol are catered to your pets individualized needs. We also take extra measures to ensure your pet has a comfortable and safe visit with us. We use blankets and beds to keep them warm and comfortable post-surgery until they are ready to go home. You can rely on us to keep your pet as our focal point!

How do I schedule an appointment?

To schedule an appointment, you will call one of the Animal Doctor locations. If you are a new client , a member of our team will create you an account and request your pets records. All clients will be asked about pre-anesthetic testing, IV fluid administration, and microchipping (all of which are additional charges). At this point the client may request an estimate for the procedure if desired. A deposit is not required to schedule a spay/neuter

What will happen on the day of surgery?

We ask that you withhold food after 9pm the night before surgery. Please drop off your pet at the Animal Doctor location between 7:30am and 8:00am the morning of surgery. Your pet will be able to go home between 3:30pm and 5:30pm that day. Your pet may be more tired that evening, or have a decreased appetite. Please keep your pet quiet for a week to allow them to heal properly. All closures will be made internally with absorbable suture material, so no follow up is required!