At Babcock Hills Veterinary Hospital, we offer spay and neuter services to all breeds and sizes of cats and dogs. Spaying or neutering your pet can be performed as soon as your dog or cat reaches sexual maturity, which is typically about six months of age. New data suggests that there are certain breeds of dogs that benefit from being spayed or neutered at an older age than was previously recommended. The decision should ultimately be determined by your veterinarian and you, based on your pet’s overall health, breed, weight, and lifestyle.
The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Pet
We recommend spaying and neutering all cats and dogs at some point in their lifetime. It is estimated that up to 8 million cats and dogs are surrendered to shelters and rescues each year across the United States. Spaying and neutering your pets helps prevent pet homelessness.
Sterilizing your pet also helps maintain your pet’s health. Spayed or neutered pets experience less cancer and infections of their reproductive organs. It is estimated that altered pets live 23 percent longer than unaltered pets, according to the Humane Society.
Sterilizing your pets may also result in better behavior. Most male cats and dogs will no longer have the desire to roam or fight other cats and dogs over a potential mate. They may be less aggressive as a result of the absence of the hormone testosterone. Female cats and dogs will no longer have heat cycles and be attractive to intact male dogs.
The Procedure
Spaying your cat or dog involves removing the uterus and ovaries. This ensures that your pet will never become pregnant or have a litter.
Neutering your dog or cat involves removing the testicles. This prevents your male pet from impregnating female pets.
Pre and Post Surgery Care
When you schedule your pet’s spay or neuter surgery, our Client Advocates will give you pre-operation instructions. These instructions generally include when to stop feeding and watering your pet prior to the surgery. We can generally schedule routine surgeries within 24 hours.
After your pet’s surgery, one of our veterinary technicians will provide you with aftercare instructions. We advise that you prevent your pet from being overly active for a week after the surgery and keep your pet from licking or biting the surgery site. You will also want to keep an eye on the incision to make sure it is not seeping fluid or abnormally red. Should any problem develop, we would want to see your pet to address any concerns. There is no charge for a post-surgical recheck exam on a surgery our doctors have done.
To schedule your pet’s spay or neuter surgery, call us at 697-8581. We perform routine and emergency surgeries during normal business hours during the week.
Babcock Hills Veterinary Hospital, your San Antonio veterinary hospital at 6600 Prue Road.