Spaying or neutering is one of the most important preventative health measures that you as a pet owner can provide for your pet. Spaying or neutering of cats and dogs help pets lead longer, healthier lives.

For females, the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer and mammary tumors is significantly reduced. Spaying also eliminates heat cycles and associated problems.

Neutered males are less aggressive and the likelihood of testicular and prostate cancer decreases; the urges to “mark” their territory may lessen, and a neutered male is less likely to want to roam in search of potential mates and get into fights.

In addition to the many health benefits, spaying or neutering your pet ensures that he or she won’t contribute to the overpopulation problem. Even a pet that lives indoors may escape and produce puppies or kittens if not sterilized. Each year, millions of homeless pets are euthanized or end up in shelters due to a lack of good homes.

At Mohnacky Animal Hospitals we recommend spaying or neutering your pet at six months of age. We have affordable spay and neuter packages designed specially for your pet.

What is a Spay? What is a Neuter?
A spay or ovariohysterectomy is a surgical procedure that renders a cat or dog incapable of breeding by removing their reproductive organs- the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed. Neutering results in the castration of males and the complete removal of their testicles.

After sterilization, your pet may be calmer and less likely to exhibit certain behaviors, but his or her personality will not change. Contrary to myth, neutering your pet does not make them become lazy or overweight. Neutered and spayed pets do require fewer calories to maintain their body weight, so we do welcome your questions in respect to adjusting your pet’s dietary needs.

Preparing Your Pet For Surgery / On the Day of Surgery
We recommend withholding food from your pet the night before surgery. At the day of surgery, our veterinarian will perform a physical examination on your pet. Our veterinarian will make recommendations for your pet that may be crucial to your pet’s recovery such as a pre-anesthetic blood screening to check for unseen problems like liver, kidney diseases, anemia, protein levels in the blood, etc.

An intravenous catheter for fluid administration during surgery is an important way to aid your pet and decrease the risks associated with general anesthesia. Supportive fluids are administered before, during and after surgery. Fluid therapy helps sustain adequate blood pressure throughout the anesthetic procedure – that means vital organs can maintain their function and helps flush the anesthetic from your pet’s body efficiently. The intravenous catheter also allows immediate access to the vascular system should an emergency arise while your pet is under anesthesia.

During the examination our veterinarian will also check females for heat, pregnancy and confirm that males have both testes present in the scrotal sac. It is possible to spay females while they are in heat or pregnant, but it is not always recommended since they would be susceptible to increased blood loss. Performing surgery on pets that are in heat, pregnant, or only have one testicle or no testes present in the scrotal sac (termed cryptorchid) is subject to additional fees. Although older pets may also be good surgical candidates, they will also need a thorough examination by our veterinarian prior to surgery. After surgery your pet will go home with pain medication and a buster collar to prevent him/her from licking at the incision site.

Other Recommended Services
Mohnacky Animal Hospitals has the following recommendations with the spay or neuter surgery:

•  Intravenous Fluid Support With Catheter:

An intravenous catheter for fluid administration during surgery is an important way to aid your pet and decrease the risks associated with general anesthesia. Supportive fluids are administered before, during and after surgery. Fluid therapy helps sustain adequate blood pressure throughout the anesthetic procedure – that means vital organs can maintain their function and helps flush the anesthetic from your pet’s body efficiently. The intravenous catheter also allows immediate access to the vascular system should an emergency arise while your pet is under anesthesia.

•  Laser or Radio Surgery Option:

A Laser beam or radiowaves can be utilized as a cutting and cautery tool during the surgery process. This results in minimal blood loss and decreased swelling post-operatively that aids in a smoother healing process (available at Carlsbad and Vista hospitals respectively).

• Absorbable Sutures:

Our surgeon may place sutures under the skin rather than in plain site when closing the surgery site. This will mean less scarring and that the pet does not have to return for suture removal. We still recommend a buster collar and a post-operative medical progress examination.

Our Spay and Neuter Package Pricing includes Examination, Surgery, Anesthetic Monitoring, Blood Work, Hospitalization, Pain Medication, plus Buster Collar and Suture Removal.

Please note that all pets must be vaccinated and have a current examination.
Prices are subject to change.