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Veterinary Service

Pet Spay & Neuter

If you are considering spaying or neutering your pet, our veterinarian team is here to help answer your questions. Our team ensures your pets receive the highest standard of care before and after surgery.

Pet Spay & Neuter

When considering spaying or neutering your pet, it’s essential to talk to your veterinarian and our team is here for you. To learn more, scroll down to our below FAQs about spaying and neutering.

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Pet Spay & Neuter

There are plenty of advantages to having your pet spayed or neutered, including decreasing the chances of mammary cancer later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections (pyometra), decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, and also decreasing the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens.

A discussion with your veterinary team can help to determine the appropriate age for your pet’s spay or neuter. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. See more frequently asked questions below. 

 

Canine Spay FAQs

Is the procedure painful?

Yes – it is major abdominal surgery! At Byron Center Animal Hospital, we aim to minimize the discomfort your dog feels. We will provide pre-surgical pain relief so she awakens from surgery comfortably. We will also send home pain medication for your dog to have for up to 5 days after surgery. This will ensure she recovers with as little discomfort as possible.

What are the physical benefits of spaying my dog?

A female dog that is spayed prior to her first heat cycle has a nearly 0% chance of developing mammary cancer (common cancer seen in intact females). It also prevents her from suffering from pyometra (a common, life-threatening infection of the uterus that requires emergency surgery). Also, it prevents you from having to clean up the bloody (often smelly) vaginal discharge associated with your dog’s heat cycle.

What are the behavioral benefits of spaying my dog?

 An intact female has bred on the brain – spaying her stops those hormonal surges so that she is better able to socialize and concentrate on tasks and commands. Those same hormonal surges can cause an intact female to behave aggressively and in an unpredictable manner while in heat. Spaying your dog also ensures that she doesn’t have any unexpected litter and doesn’t contribute to the population of unwanted dogs.

How long will it take my dog to recover?

While your dog may feel like nothing happened 2 days after surgery, it is essential to keep her as quiet as possible for 5-7 days after surgery to allow the incision to fully heal.

Where can I go for more information about spaying my dog?
We know there are many questionable resources on the internet. A reputable website with many articles written by veterinary professionals is Veterinary Partner. Follow the link below to search their site. We would also be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Canine Neuter FAQs

Is the procedure painful?

Yes – At Byron Center Animal Hospital, we aim to minimize the discomfort your dog feels. We will provide pre-surgical pain relief so he awakens from surgery comfortably. We will also send home pain medication for your dog to have for up to 5 days after surgery. This will ensure he recovers with as little discomfort as possible.

What are the physical benefits of neutering my dog?
An intact male’s prostate continually grows throughout his life, which can cause discomfort and complications as he ages. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink to an insignificant size and prevents these complications. It also prevents certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus.
What are the behavioral benefits of neutering my dog?
An intact male has breeding on the brain – neutering him stops those hormonal surges so that he is better able to socialize and concentrate on tasks and commands. Those same hormonal surges can cause an intact male to behave aggressively and in an unpredictable manner. A neutered dog’s desire to roam is usually eliminated. He is much less likely to urine mark and easier to housetrain.
How long will it take my dog to recover?
While your dog may feel like nothing happened the day after surgery, it is essential to keep him quiet for 5-7 days after surgery to allow the incision to heal completely.
Where can I go for more information about neutering my dog?
We know there are many questionable resources on the internet. A reputable website with many articles written by veterinary professionals is Veterinary Partner. Follow the link below to search their site. We would also be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Feline Spay FAQs

Is the procedure painful?

Yes – it is major abdominal surgery! At Byron Center Animal Hospital, we aim to minimize the discomfort your cat feels. We will provide pre-surgical pain relief so she awakens from surgery comfortably. We will also provide long-lasting post-surgical pain relief. This will ensure she recovers with as little discomfort as possible.

What are the physical benefits of spaying my cat?

A female cat that is spayed prior to her first heat cycle has nearly 0% chance of developing mammary cancer (a common cancer seen in intact females). She is also protected from contracting sexually transmitted infectious diseases. Spaying your cat also ensures that she doesn’t have any unexpected litters and doesn’t contribute to the population of unwanted cats.

What are the behavioral benefits of spaying my cat?

An intact female has bred on the brain – spaying her allows her to be a more loving and attentive pet. When in the heat a cat can be extremely noisy, desperate to escape, and even urine mark in the house. Spaying her will put an end to all of these behaviors that are associated with hormonal surges.

How long will it take my cat to recover?

While your cat may feel like nothing happened 2 days after surgery, it is essential to keep her as quiet as possible for 5-7 days after surgery to allow the incision to fully heal. At this time it is also important that she be kept inside only.

Where can I go for more information about spaying my cat?

We know there are many questionable resources on the internet. A reputable website with many articles written by veterinary professionals is Veterinary Partner. Follow the link below to search their site. We would also be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Feline Neuter FAQs

Is the procedure painful?

Yes- At Byron Center Animal Hospital, we aim to minimize the discomfort your cat feels. We will provide pre-surgical pain relief so he awakens from surgery comfortably. We will also provide long-lasting post-surgical pain relief. This will ensure he recovers with as little discomfort as possible. Q: What are the physical benefits of neutering my cat? A: Because a neutered cat is less likely to roam and does not have surges of testosterone that trigger aggression, he is significantly less likely to get injured in a fight with another cat or hit by a car. 

What are the behavioral benefits of neutering my cat?

An intact male has breeding on the brain – neutering him allows him to be a more loving and attentive pet. A neutered cat is also much less likely to spray urine to mark his territory.   

How long will it take my cat to recover?

While your cat may feel like nothing happened the day after surgery, it is essential to keep him quiet for 5-7 days after surgery to allow the incision to heal completely. It is also very important that he be kept inside during this time.   

Where can I go for more information about neutering my cat?
We know there are many questionable resources on the internet. A reputable website with many articles written by veterinary professionals is  Veterinary Partner. Follow the link below to search their site. We would also be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Veterinary Services in Byron Center, MI

Pet Annual Wellness Exams

Pet Spay & Neuter

Pet Diagnostic Imaging

Pet Dietary Consultations

Pet Dental Care

Pet Microchipping

Pet Surgery

Pet Dermatology

Pet Vaccinations

Pet In-House Laboratory

Pet Behavioral Counseling