What is it?

Spaying and neutering results in pets that are unable to reproduce. Under most circumstances, that is the best course for the pet and its human family.

What are the advantages?

Spaying removes the ovaries and the uterus of the female pet. The pet will not contribute to the pet overpopulation problem and can also receive some health benefits. The ovaries will not become cancerous. The surgery, if done around 6 months of age, greatly minimizes the chance of the pet developing mammary cancer. With the uterus removed, developing pyometria (an infection of the uterus) cannot happen.

Neutering removes the testicles of the male. This means the pet cannot contribute to the pet overpopulation problem. It also means the male cannot develop testicular cancer. The male hormone (testosterone, which is mainly produced in the testicles) can cause the prostate (not present in cats) to enlarge. This can lead to problems with urination and passing stools, which neutering almost certainly avoids. Many males will have aggressive tendencies and a strong drive to roam, looking for females in season. If neutered around 6 months of age, those problems are minimized.

What are the disadvantages?

Once spayed or neutered, there is no turning back. These operations cannot be reversed, so it is impossible to change your mind about having puppies or kittens in the future.
Female dogs sometimes develop a problem holding their urine as they become older. This is almost always manageable with medication.

When choosing where to have the surgery done, here are some important questions to ask:

1. Does the veterinarian who will perform the surgery give a physical exam in your presence to look for potential problems and to discuss the surgery and aftercare with you?

2. Is preanesthetic testing ( like clotting tests) and monitoring during anesthesia offered as safety options to you?

3. Is the gas anesthetic Isoflurane ( one of the safest anesthetic agents available, even in human hospitals) provided as the routine anesthetic agent?

4. Is a separate, sterilized pack used for each surgery, not shared among several surgical patients?

5. Does the surgeon use a separate set of sterile gloves for each patient and is he/she wearing a sterile gown during the surgery?

6. Are absorbable sutures used to close the skin incision to minimize the irritation and the chewing the pet might do, as well as to avoid an additional trip to the hospital to remove them? Are absorbable sutures used internally?

7. Is the pet kept overnight at the hospital to minimize activity that might result in problems right after the surgery?

8. Are there rechecks provided at no charge if you are concerned about any problems that might be developing shortly after the surgery?

9. Are the ears checked automatically to make sure no ear infections or foreign objects are present?

10. Is pain control available if needed?

All these services are provided at Ojai Pet Hospital for our spay and neuter patients.