In every community, in every state, there are homeless animals. These are healthy, sweet pets who would make great companions. About half of these animals are adopted from shelters, but unfortunately the others are euthanized. Spaying your pet has many benefits. The procedure, which prevents female animals from becoming pregnant and reproducing, can help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life. Spaying will not change your pet's personality. 

By spaying your female pet, you're protecting her against potentially deadly diseases, including bacterial infections, reproductive tract diseases, and several types of cancer. You also won't have to worry about her going into heat. This means avoiding the mess that often accompanies the heat cycle in female dogs and the pacing and crying that happens with female cats. Spaying your pet will also help control the dog and cat overpopulation problem, keeping more animals out of shelters.

Spaying is a surgical procedure that involves removing the ovaries and uterus. This needs to be performed with the pet under anesthesia. At Cherry Ridge Veterinary clinic we follow strict protocols and continually monitor your pet's vital signs to help ensure your pet's safety. 

To set up an appointment to have your pet spayed or to learn more about this procedure, call or visit us! If you are struggling with the decision of whether to spay your pet, please call us so we can discuss your concerns. 

Spaying Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I have my dog spayed?

We recommend spaying all female pets. The benefits to your pet’s health and to help reduce the pet overpopulation crisis make this decision easier. It should be remembered that owners of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Dogs for the Disabled routinely have their dogs spayed.

What are the advantages of spaying in the female dog?

  • Prevention of “heat” or estrus
  • When in “heat”, the female experiences an urge to escape in order to find a mate. This unwanted and dangerous behavior is eliminated.
  • It eliminates the possibility of false pregnancy following the “heat cycle”
  • Prevention of uterine infection known as pyometra
  • The prevention of breast cancer. Dogs spayed before the first “heat” have less than 0.5% chance of developing breast cancer.
  • Elimination of the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer

Is spaying performed for any other reason?

The operation may be performed for several medical conditions. These include:

  • Treatment of intractable false or phantom pregnancy
  • Females with irregular or abnormal cycles due to ovarian cysts
  • Spaying is also carried out on occasions to correct certain behavioral abnormalities
  • Treatment of uterine infection (pyometra) or cancer
  • Dystocia (difficult birthing) or post caesarean-section surgery

What are the disadvantages?

Most of the perceived disadvantages are false. The most quoted of these are that the dog will become fat, lazy, and useless as a guard dog. Obesity is probably the most commonly quoted disadvantage of spaying. Obesity is the result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity. By regulating your dog’s diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in neutered or intact males.

Spaying doesn’t cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness or affection.

When should the operation be performed?

Research reveals that spaying a pet at an early age does not cause any increased risk. Most veterinarians recommend spaying between four and six months of age.

Is there any alternative to surgery?

Not at the present time, although there are several promising advances being made in this area.

Are there any dangers associated with the operation?

Spaying is considered a major operation and requires general anesthesia. With modern anesthetics and monitoring equipment, the risk of a complication is very low. It has been said that your pet has a greater chance of being injured in a car wreck than having an anesthetic or surgical complication.

What happens when I leave my dog for this procedure?

Your pet will be examined by your veterinarian and pre-anesthetic blood tests will usually be performed. If everything is acceptable, your pet will then be anesthetized. Most pets will have an intravenous catheter placed to administer the anesthetic and to provide fluid therapy during the surgery. After your pet is anesthetized, a breathing tube will be placed in her trachea or windpipe. This will allow the delivery of oxygen and the gas anesthetic directly into the lungs. The surgery consists of making a small incision just below the umbilicus and removing the ovaries and uterus. 

Are there any post-operative precautions I should take?

Rest and restriction of activity are the primary post-operative care you should provide. Most dogs can resume normal activity 10-14 days after surgery. Until then, leash walks, no running or climbing stairs and lots of rest are the rule.

I am told that letting my dog have one litter will quieten her down.

There is no scientific evidence that having puppies has any calming psychological effect. This is quite honestly more myth than fact.


Neuter

Neutering your pet has many benefits. The procedure, which prevents male animals from reproducing, can help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life. Neutering will not change your pet's personality. 

By neutering your pet, you're reducing or eliminating his risk for prostate and testicular cancer, as well as sexually transmitted diseases. Neutering will also reduce or eliminate undesirable and embarrassing behavior, including roaming, fighting, humping, and spraying. In addition, neutering your pet will help control the dog and cat overpopulation problem, keeping more animals out of shelters. 

A fairly common birth defect in dogs, but rare in cats, is a retained testicle in the abdomen. In this case neutering is essential, as the retained testicle frequently becomes cancerous.

Neutering is a surgical procedure which involves removing the testicles with your pet under general anesthesia. We follow strict standards of care and continually monitor your pet's vital signs to help ensure their safety. 

To set up an appointment to have your pet neutered or to learn more about this procedure, please call or visit us today. If you are struggling with the decision of whether to neuter your pet, please call or stop by so we can discuss your concerns. 

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Monday
7:30 am - 7:30 pm
Tuesday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday
7:30 am - 7:30 pm
Friday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday
Closed