Spay & Neuter

With so many unwanted pets nationwide, there simply isn’t sufficient room in shelters or forever homes. This results in many dogs and cats left to suffer without anyone to care for them. Spaying or neutering is the safest and most humane way to curb the animal population, giving more pets a chance to thrive in the caring, loving homes they deserve.

At Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital, we completely respect your decision on whether to spay or neuter your furry baby. However, since we are passionate about education, we will make sure to provide you all the tools and reasons associated to this decision making process. As a practice, we fully support and encourage spaying and neutering dogs and cats.

Spay and Neuter Overview

Spaying is surgically removing a female animal’s reproductive organs, while neutering is the removal of a male animal’s testicles. We perform these surgeries while animals are under general anesthesia so that they do not feel any pain during the procedure. They may feel some discomfort after the surgery, which you can help alleviate using the medication we provide.

Dogs and cats are typically spayed or neutered between five and six months of age. We recommend that you schedule the surgery no later than when your kitty is five months old to avoid the start of spraying and to eliminate the chance of unwanted pregnancies. In older animals, it’s always better to wait until the heat cycle is over for your pet's safety.

Benefits of Spay and Neuter

Spaying or neutering your furry companion will allow for a healthier life. The procedure lowers the risk of developing breast tumors and uterine infections in females, and testicular cancer and prostate problems in males.

Your fur-ever friend will be less distracted by the natural urge to mate and will be more content and easier to train. Your pet will be less likely to bite or to display aggressive behavior, along with spraying, wailing, or marking their territory.

Millions of healthy dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States each year because there aren’t enough homes willing to take them in. Spaying or neutering reduces the numbers of strays, which means fewer animals will be left to suffer or to fend for themselves.

Caring for Your Furry Friend Before and After Surgery

We will provide you with pre- and post-operative instructions to ensure the best and safest outcomes. We will likely advise you to refrain from feeding your kitten or puppy the night before surgery.

After surgery, provide your pet with a quiet place to recover, and make sure to prevent them from licking the incision site to avoid infection. Also, make sure to refrain from exercising your pet for about two weeks, and avoid bathing for at least ten days following the procedure.

If you notice any redness, swelling, or discharge, or if the incision opens up, please contact us immediately. Let us know if your pet is lethargic, refuses to eat, is vomiting, or has diarrhea, or if you have any other concerns.

Care You Can Count On

There are many social stigmas associated with spaying or neutering your furry companion. We would love to talk to you about the reasons behind these stigmas and to understand why they exist. Contact us at Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital to learn more about the benefits of spaying or neutering your pets. With our dedicated veterinarian and top-notch team, you can always count on paws-itively purr-fect care. Call us today!