How to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

Having your pet spayed (an ovariohysterectomy, for females) or neutered (castration, for males) is an important part of responsible pet ownership. Not only will it help stop pet overpopulation, it will contribute to the general well-being and health of your pet.

Things You'll Need

• Designer Dog Collars
• Dog Beds
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Treats
• Cat Beds
• Cat Collars
• Cat Leashes
• Cat Treats
• Pet Carriers

Instructions

1. Contact your veterinarian about recommendations concerning age, vaccination requirements and other health care issues as soon as you adopt your pet.

2. Understand that spaying or neutering information will vary depending on the age, sex and type of pet you have chosen. Surgery at an early age - 6 to 12 weeks - is now widely accepted in dogs and cats.

3. Ask the local animal shelter or your veterinarian about special programs available to have your pet spayed or neutered at a reduced cost. Programs exist everywhere for single or multiple animals and can save you money.

4. Ask the staff what is involved in the surgery and about pre- and post-operative care. This helps you make an educated choice about where to have it done and how much you should pay for this service.

5. Realize that post-operative pain management is a standard part of any acceptable surgical protocol, and the veterinarian of your choice should recommend pain medication.

6. Schedule an appointment for surgery and follow the instructions given by the staff at the veterinary hospital or clinic about pre-surgical care.

7. Take your pet to the veterinary hospital or spay/neuter clinic.

8. Pick up your pet as soon as allowed after the surgery and administer post-surgical care as directed. Some veterinarians will discharge your pet the day of surgery, while others prefer to keep pets hospitalized overnight for observation.

9. Call the clinic the day after surgery and let the staff know how your pet is doing. They should be interested in your pet's recovery.

10. Watch for signs of swelling, discharge or complications such as not eating or vomiting. You should have an after-hours contact number to call if you suspect anything is wrong.

11. Schedule an appointment for a follow-up exam and suture removal.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the humane society or animal control agency in your area to ask about reduced costs for licensing spayed or neutered animals.

• Learn about the Feral Cat Coalition, an organization of volunteers dedicated to providing services, free of charge, for feral or stray cats. (See Related Sites.)

• Spaying your dog or cat prior to her first heat will decrease the risk of breast cancer.

• Spaying or neutering your pet is a major surgical procedure that should be preformed by a qualified veterinary surgeon, under a general anesthetic, in a sterile surgical environment. Exercise care and good judgment when selecting someone to do this once-in-a-lifetime procedure on your pet.

• General anesthesia and surgery do involve risk, but the benefits to pet and pet owner greatly exceed the risk involved.