Spay & Neuter

The Importance of Spay & Neuter Surgery

Your decision on whether to spay or neuter your pet will be one of the most vital choices for your pet’s future. Spaying and neutering bring multiple benefits and limited risks for most dogs and cats. Some of these benefits include preventing unwanted pregnancy and several significant health issues related to the reproductive organs. Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital in San Diego, CA, performs these routine procedures to protect your pet’s health and well-being. Continue reading to learn about the importance of spay and neuter surgery and how it can benefit you and your pet.

Spay and Neuter

Why Spay and Neuter?

The decision to spay your female pets or neuter your male pets helps the general animal population and offers medical, behavioral, and financial benefits to you and your pet. Some of these benefits include:

•           Population: Spaying and neutering prevent unwanted births. Many of these unwanted animals roam the streets without a home and get euthanized at shelters.

•           Medical: Spaying reduces your pet’s risk of uterine infections and breast cancer, while neutering prevents testicular cancer and prostate issues. Pets also face fewer dangers outside the home due to these procedures reducing their urge to roam. Spayed and neutered pets also live longer than pets that do not get these procedures.

•           Behavioral: Spayed and neutered animals do not go into heat, have a reduced urge to roam, and are less likely to spray. Pets also mount less often and are less aggressive after these surgeries.

•           Financial: The cost to spay or neuter an animal is less than treatments for the health issues more common to untreated pets and the cost of caring for a litter of kittens or puppies.

Procedures and Timing

Spaying removes your female pet’s ovaries, while neutering removes your male pet’s testicles. Some spaying procedures also remove the fallopian tubes and uterus. Some owners prefer to retain the hormone-producing gonads, so they opt for a hysterectomy for females or a vasectomy for males.

You should spay or neuter your pet as early as possible to avoid unwanted pregnancies and behaviors, some of which may linger if the procedures occur later. Spaying or neutering can begin at eight weeks for cats and dogs, though the recommended timing can differ based on your pet’s breed and health.

Pre- and Post-Operative Care

Your veterinarian will provide instructions to prepare your pet for the procedure. Some instructions may include not feeding your pet after midnight before surgery and bathing it before its procedure. Similarly, your veterinarian will give you post-operative instructions for your pet, such as providing a quiet resting place and methods to care for the incision site.

Visit Your Veterinarian in San Diego, CA, to Get Your Pet Spayed or Neutered Today

Spaying or neutering your pet is the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and several severe health issues involving the reproductive organs, so contact Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital in San Diego, CA, to spay or neuter your pet today. Call us and schedule an appointment at (858) 292-6116 to protect your pet’s health and happiness.

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital

Monday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Thursday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital

Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
Closed