Pet Spay and Neuter

Pet Spay and Neuter

Importance of Surgery
Unwanted pet pregnancies contribute to overpopulation. Many pets end up in shelters each year because there are not enough homes for all the pets. Spaying or neutering your pet allows you to prevent unwanted pregnancies and avoid contributing to the overpopulation problem. These procedures can also be considered part of preventative care. They reduce or remove the risk of some diseases, particularly cancer of the reproductive organs.

Spay and Neuter Procedures
Spay and neutering refer to removing reproductive organs, which prevents reproduction. These are surgical procedures that require anesthesia. They are considered low-risk procedures. You will typically bring your pet to your vet’s office or animal hospital for the surgery.

Spay
A spay surgery is performed on female dogs. It can involve removing the ovaries and the uterus. This procedure prevents the female from going into heat after the surgery. In some cases, only the ovaries or the uterus are removed. Both methods prevent the dog from becoming pregnant after the process.

Neuter
Male dogs are neutered. When a dog is fixed, the veterinarian will remove the testicles. This procedure prevents the male from reproducing because he cannot make sperm after neutering.

Neutering can eliminate sexual behaviors, like urine marking because it lowers testosterone. However, some pets retain sexual behaviors because they’ve become used to them.

Before and After Surgery
Spay and neuter surgery is a surgical procedure, which means you’ll be given instructions to follow before and after surgery.

Before Surgery
In most cases, avoiding giving your pet food after midnight on the day before the surgery is recommended. Also, be sure to follow any instructions carefully to prevent potential complications.

After Surgery
You can usually bring your pet home on the day of the surgery. However, they will need some time to recover.

You should have a quiet, comfortable area prepared for them. It’s best to place them in a low-traffic area where they are still near you. They will be tired after surgery. However, their energy levels will return to normal in the next few days. Because they are given anesthesia, they may feel and act a little strange after surgery. However, these effects should wear off within 24-48 hours.

Spay and Neuter at Petwell Veterinary Healthcare
If your pet needs spay or neuter surgery in Atlanta, GA, contact us at PetWell Veterinary Healthcare. We provide compassionate veterinary care to keep your pet healthy and happy. Call our office at (404) 856-7500 to schedule an appointment.