Spay and Neuter

At Pacific Animal Hospital, our experienced veterinary surgeon provides spay and neuter surgery to cats and dogs. If you don’t intend to breed your pet, we highly recommend sterilization.

What Is Spay and Neuter Surgery?

Spaying and neutering are two different surgical procedures for sterilizing cats and dogs. During a spay surgery, a female pet’s ovaries and uterus are removed. During a neuter procedure, a male pet’s testicles are removed.

Why We Recommend Spaying and Neutering

Sterilization safeguards pets’ health by preventing the development of reproductive cancers and by limiting the pet’s contact with other animals that could expose them to contagious diseases. Sterilization also prevents dangerous and unwanted behaviors (wandering, aggression, howling, and territory marking).
Sterilization prevents unwanted litters, relieving the burden on overly crowded animal shelters and giving stray pets a better chance of adoption.
Spaying and neutering are routine surgeries, but are not completely without risk, as is the case with all procedures requiring general anesthesia. The benefits of sterilization, however, far outweigh any potential risks. Our veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination and health screening prior to surgery to ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo the procedure.

When Should a Cat or Dog Be Spayed or Neutered?

Healthy puppies and kittens can usually be safely spayed or neutered at about eight weeks of age. We recommend sterilizing pets before they reach reproductive maturity to prevent the development of unwanted behaviors and disease.

What to Expect with Your Pet's Spay or Neuter Surgery

Before surgery, we’ll examine your pet and provide you with instructions for limiting food and water the night before. We use only the highest quality medications and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to ensure patient safety. We’ll notify you as soon as your pet is successfully out of surgery. Most pets are able to return home the same day. We’ll provide you with instructions for at-home recovery care.

Schedule a Spay and Neuter Consultation

If your puppy, kitten, or adult pet is still intact, we encourage you to schedule a spay or neuter consultation with a veterinarian at Pacific Animal Hospital.