QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT SPAYING

1.  EXACTLY WHAT IS DONE WHEN MY PET IS SPAYED?

            Spaying is a surgical procedure in which the ovaries and uterus are removed.

2.  IS IT MAJOR SURGERY?

            Yes.  A general anesthetic is required and the abdominal cavity is opened.

3.  WHY ARE FEMALES SPAYED?

            The main reason for spaying is to prevent unwanted pregnancies, in other words, birth control.

4.  ARE THERE ANY OTHER BENEFITS?

            Yes.  A spayed female will not come into heat or be attractive to males.  Spaying prevents most "female problems" such as false pregnancies, uterine infections, and breast cancer.  Breast cancer is the most common malignancy of females; spaying your pet before her first heat will prevent any possibility of breast cancer for developing later.

5.  WILL SPAYING CHANGE MY PET'S TEMPERAMENT?

            No. Spaying has no effect on a pet's temperament one way or the other.

6.   WILL MY PET  BECOME FAT AFTER SPAYING?

            Your pet will become overweight only if she is over fed.  It is true that spayed pets more easily retain excess weight.  You can control this through proper diet.

7.  WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO HAVE MY PET SPAYED?

            The optimum age for spaying is approximately 6 months of age prior to the first heat cycle.  Of course we can also spay females at any age.

8.  WHAT IS THE USUAL PROCEDURE?

             Patients are admitted to the hospital between 7:30 and 8:00 am the day of surgery and released the same afternoon.

9.  WHAT KIND OF CARE WILL MY PET RECEIVE?

            At the Southwest Animal Care Center your pet will benefit from the very best quality of care that modern veterinary service can deliver.  Dr. Dahl has many years experience in veterinary surgery and is dedicated to providing compassionate, safe, quality surgical care to each patient.

            Each surgical patient is given a thorough physical exam before proceeding.  Our fees include preanesthetic blood panel to screen the patient for any abnormalities not apparent on physical exam alone. 

            The safest, most advanced anesthetic agents are used to insure maximum safety and comfort for your pet.  All patients also are given analgesic (pain-relief) injection for a smooth recovery.  Patients are monitored continuously while under anesthesia by a cardiac and respiratory monitor.  A trained surgical assistant also assists the doctor.  Full sterile technique is always used; we never take "shortcuts" or make any compromises that would jeopardize patient comfort and safety.

            Our philosophy is to provide the highest level of patient care possible.  Your pet will always receive the same high level of care we provide patients with complicated medical or surgical procedures.