Spaying or neutering your pet offers several important benefits, including preventing unwanted litters and helping reduce pet overpopulation. These procedures may also reduce certain hormone-related behaviours, such as mounting and urine marking. However, behavioural changes vary, and surgery does not guarantee that these behaviours will disappear.
Our veterinary team can help you determine the most appropriate timing for your pet based on their breed, size, age, health, and individual needs.
What is spaying and neutering?
Spaying is a surgical procedure performed on female pets to remove the ovaries and uterus. Neutering involves removing the testicles in male pets. Both procedures prevent reproduction and may offer additional health benefits.
What can I expect during my pet’s spay or neuter surgery?
Spaying and neutering require general anesthesia. Before surgery, our veterinary team will assess your pet’s health, discuss any questions or concerns, and determine whether they are a suitable candidate for anesthesia. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork may be recommended to help assess organ function and identify potential health concerns.
To help reduce stress and anxiety, we send home pre-visit medications for all patients before their surgery. These supportive medications help promote a more comfortable experience and can contribute to a smoother recovery from anesthesia, following a Fear Free approach to your pet’s care.
During the procedure, your pet will receive anesthesia and oxygen, and our team will monitor their vital signs to support their safety and comfort. We will also provide instructions to help you care for your pet during recovery.
When should my pet be spayed or neutered?
The ideal timing for spaying or neutering depends on several factors, including your pet’s breed, expected adult size, health, and lifestyle.
We generally do not recommend spaying or neutering before six months of age. For many pets, surgery may be appropriate around this age or later. For larger-breed dogs, we may recommend waiting until they are approximately 12 to 18 months old to allow for further growth and development.
Because every pet is different, we encourage you to discuss the best timing with our veterinary team.
To learn more or schedule your pet’s spay or neuter surgery, please contact us at 604-856-7707. Our team will be happy to answer your questions and help you determine the next steps for your pet’s care.