Your female dog or cat's heat cycle can be a source of frustration since they're more likely to be clingy, mark their territory, or hump objects during the process. With male dogs and cats, they can impregnate another pet year-round. Spaying and neutering not only stops your pet's ability to reproduce but also alleviates many of the problematic behaviours attached to reproduction.

What's the difference between procedures for male and female pets?

An ovariohysterectomy (females) or orchidectomy (males) is a procedure for removing the reproductive organs from your pet's body. These operations help in controlling the pet population and reducing unwanted sexual behaviours such as marking territory, roaming, and aggression. It also eliminates or decreases the risk of hormone-related diseases such as cancer and infections of the sexual organs.

At what age do you typically perform the procedure?

We perform spays on female cats and dogs aged 5-6 months and neuters on male cats and dogs at the minimum age of 6 months. Most cats and dogs enter their heat cycle or reach puberty at 6 months, which allows them to impregnate other pets or get pregnant. It can be challenging to navigate an unplanned pet pregnancy. With shelter populations having to deal with unwanted pets, spaying and neutering limit the number of unhoused dogs and cats euthanized every year. To learn more about the procedure, please contact us at 709-256-3891.

Do I need to prepare my dog or cat for their procedure?

Before your pet's procedure, our veterinary team will provide detailed instructions on what to expect for pre and post-operative care. General things you can do to prepare your pet include:

• Keeping them as calm and relaxed as possible
• Not feeding your pet the night before or the day of
• Bringing your pet in a crate they're familiar with
• Ensuring they remain hydrated