The common question is, “Why do I need to have this done?”.

There are many reasons why spaying/neutering your pet should be performed, but the main reason is to improve your pet’s health.

Here are some of the most important reasons:

• Female dogs have a high incidence of cancers of the reproductive system. Spaying removes the ovaries and the uterus, preventing the production of estrogen, which leads to most reproductive cancers. The vast majority of un-spayed older females contract a life-threatening infection of the uterus, call pyometra. This infection is caused by problems with progesterone, another female hormone that is eliminated through spaying. Female dogs should be spayed before their first heat, if possible, which occurs between six months and one year of age.

• Males that are not neutered often exhibit extremely aggressive behaviors, which can be dangerous to them, other animals, and people. A well-behaved and calm dog in its youth can suddenly show a pack mentality and become more aggressive, chase cars, try to break loose to roam freely, or bark and growl a lot as a result of high testosterone levels. Many of these habits become hard to break. A male dog neutered between six months and one year of age will retain its youthful calm.

Upon performing a surgery, the doctor and staff will make sure that your pet is in the best of care. A blood screen will be performed first, which ensures your pet is healthy and can handle anesthesia. We will then give your pet intravenous fluids which help to keep your pet’s blood pressure up and flowing at a normal rate and also help flush anesthesia out of the system. Your pet will be closely monitored by a pulse and oxygen monitor. After the surgery is complete your pet will be placed in our treatment area to recover and for further monitoring. At the end of the day, your pet will go home with pain medication and detailed instructions regarding further pet care at home.