A Few Compelling Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

  • Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer.
  • Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
  • Neutering males makes them less likely to spray and mark their territory; also reduces the occurrence of inappropriate urination and other undesirable behavior issues.  Spaying females eliminates the inconvenience of them going into heat.
  • Leads to a calmer, more focused animal by reducing hormone-driven activities.  For example, neutered males are less likely to roam, making them less likely to get lost or hit by a car.
  • Helps stop pet over-population. By making sure your pet cannot have puppies or kittens, you can have peace of mind knowing that fewer pets will need to be euthanized in shelters. About 3.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters nationwide every year simply because there are far more homeless animals than willing adopters.

          

What to Expect When Your Pet is Spayed or Neutered at Sand Creek Animal Hospital: 

 

 

 

Pre-anesthetic Examination

On the morning of your pet?s surgical procedure, the doctor will conduct a pre-anesthetic exam to ensure that he or she is healthy for surgery.  Once he or she has been examined, he or she will be placed in a clean, private kennel.

 

Preparing for Surgery

At this time, pre-surgical pain medications are given to your pet to help relax and keep him or her comfortable during and after surgery.  Also, a catheter is inserted into the pet's arm to administer intravenous fluids throughout the procedure.

The Surgical Technician will then begin preparing for surgery by drawing up injectable anesthetic along with any post-surgery pain medications.  The Technician will also prepare the sterile surgical instruments, sutures, gown, and gloves for the doctor?s use.

 

Laser Surgery

The laser equipment is set up and calibrated for your pet?s surgical procedure.  Laser surgery has many benefits such as decreasing pain, bleeding and swelling which helps patients recover faster.  The laser sterilizes the surgical site as it cuts and the beam direction and power can be controlled precisely to remove thin layers of tissue and produce minimal side effects on surrounding healthy tissue.

Anesthesia

Before the procedure, surgical monitors are set up to monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen levels.  Your pet is then anesthetized.  Once anesthetized, a breathing tube will be placed in his or her trachea.  This will allow the delivery of oxygen and gas anesthetic directly into the lungs.  The eyes are lubricated in order to protect them while under anesthesia and the nails are trimmed at this time.  Technicians prepare for surgery by shaving the surgical site, cleaning it and sterilizing it.

 

Post Operative Care

While the doctors are finishing the procedure, the kennel is prepared for your pet?s recovery.  Blankets and heating disks are placed inside a clean, private kennel for comfort.  Following surgery, your pet will be monitored and kept comfortable throughout the recovery period.  One of the team members will call after surgery to report that surgery is over and to let you know how he or she is doing.  Pain medications will be administered as needed to maintain an appropriate comfort level and pain medications will also be sent home.  When your pet is ready to go home, the Surgical Technician will bring you in to a discharge room and review the surgery and go over any discharge instructions.  The next day our office will call and check in to be sure he or she is comfortable and to answer any questions.