Spaying & Neutering Surgery for Pets
At Beloit Veterinary Hospital, our spaying and neutering procedures help prevent the birth of unwanted kittens and puppies at a time when shelters across the country are already over capacity.
Along with the benefits to society, these reproductive surgeries can help reduce the risk of your cat or dog developing serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
Our veterinary team does everything we can to keep your furry friend comfortable during the appointment and provide you with everything you need for post-operative care once you are back at home.
What is Spaying?
Spaying is performed on female pets. Technically known as an ovariohysterectomy, it is a surgical procedure to remove the reproductive organs. Your pet's skin will then be closed with skin glue, sutures (stitches), or surgical staples. Your veterinarian will remove the stitches or staples 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
What is Neutering?
Neutering, or orchiectomy, is the surgical procedure used to remove the testicles from male pets. It is considered a simpler surgery than a spay. After the surgery has been completed, your pet will be sterile. The ideal age for this process is around six months or before sexual maturity, but this procedure can be done at any age as long as your pet is healthy.
Spaying & Neutering FAQs
Read through the answers to our most frequently asked questions about spaying and neutering:
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What should I know about the recovery process for my pet?
Spaying
Some clinics want to keep your cat or dog overnight after spay surgery, while others let her go home on the same day. You can expect your pet's activity to be restricted for up to 10 days after surgery.
Neutering
If there are no complications or other health issues, your dog or cat can usually go home on the same day of the procedure. Activity will be restricted for a few days while the incision heals.
We may send your pet home with a protective collar for both procedures to keep it from licking the incision.
We typically book a follow-up visit to check how well your pet has healed and remove the stitches.
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When should I have my pet spayed or neutered? What age?
Your veterinarian will be able to determine the best age to spay your furry friend. Some research indicates there may be long-term health benefits to spaying or neutering dogs after they have passed through puberty.
Many veterinary professionals recommend that female animals be spayed before their first heat, which can occur as early as five months old. However, there is increasing evidence that this is too young as your pet isn't fully grown at this age.
Male cats are often recommended to be neutered between five and six months of age, while male dogs are fixed at six months.
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Why should I get my cat spayed or neutered?
Population Control
The population of stray cats across the country is increasing at an unprecedented rate. The best way to help reduce the number of unwanted cats in Beloit area shelters is by spaying or neutering your feline friend.
Protect Wildlife
Cats are known to actively hunt wildlife, especially birds. By keeping the number of homeless cats to a minimum, you help to save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife.
Cat Neutering Benefits
By having your male cat neutered, you can help curb many undesirable cat behaviors, such as spraying indoors and around your house to mark territory, roaming, howling, and fighting. Reducing your cat's temptation to fight may also reduce their risk of injury as well as prevent them from contracting Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) from other cats.
Cat Spaying Benefits
When you have your female cat spayed before their first heat cycle, you can help reduce their risk of developing pyometra (infection of the womb) and mammary tumors. It's also important to note that female cats carrying infectious diseases can pass serious conditions on to their kittens, who may then go on to spread the disease even further. Pregnancy and the birth process can also be risky for young cats and costly to their owners.
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Why should I get my dog spayed or neutered?
Population Control
Having your male dog spayed or neutered is the best way for you to help reduce the overall number of unplanned puppies that end up in shelters across the country each year. It can also help improve your pet's behavior and reduce their risk of some serious health conditions.
Dog Spaying Benefits
Spaying your female dog can help prevent serious health problems such as pyometra (a potentially life-threatening uterine infection) and mammary cancer.
Dog Neutering Benefits
When you have your male dog neutered you help reduce the risk of them developing testicular cancer. You can also prevent unwanted behaviors such as dog aggression, straying and humping.
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Will my pet feel anything during the procedure?
Your dog or cat will not feel anything during their procedure. This is because they will be placed under general anesthesia to keep them safe and comfortable.
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Will my pet gain weight after the procedure?
If your pet is still young then you can expect them to continue to grow until they reach their adult size after spay or neuter surgery.
This is natural and not a result of the procedure.