When can you get your dog fixed

These two sterilization procedures are done under general anesthesia, with your pet fully asleep and intubated (with a breathing tube in his or her throat).  The cat neuter is one exception; a face mask is used instead, because it is such a fast surgery.  Before receiving general anesthesia, your pet is given a shot of medication to make him sleepy and to help with pain. Your pet’s oxygen level and heart rate are monitored with a machine while he is under anesthesia. Dogs and female cats are kept on a heating blanket during surgery.  Surgery for male cats is so fast they are not put on a heating blanket for the surgery, but they are put on one immediately after their surgery.

Female animals (spay) have an incision made just below the belly button into the abdomen.  The reproductive tract, both ovaries, and the uterus are completely removed through this incision.  Then the incision is closed with two layers of stitches under the skin that will dissolve and be absorbed by body over time. The skin is closed with skin glue, skin staples, or stitches.

Male dogs (neuter) have an incision made in the skin at the base of the penis nearest to the scrotum (the skin that holds the testicles). Both testicles are removed through this incision.  The incision is closed with stitches under the skin that will dissolve and be absorbed by the body over time.  The skin is closed with skin glue, skin staples, or stitches.

Male cats have an incision made in the skin of the scrotum, and the testicles are removed.  The incision is not sealed, but will close on its own with time.

How old does an animal have to be before she/he can he spayed or neutered?

Healthy dogs and cats can be sterilized as young as eight weeks, if they are over two pounds in body weight.

How long does the surgery take?

A male cat neuter can be done in under 2 minutes!

A male dog neuter is generally five to twenty minutes, depending on his age and size at the time of neuter.  A female cat spay is generally fifteen to twenty minutes, depending on her age and where she is in her heat cycle.

A female dog spay is generally twenty to ninety minutes, or longer, depending on her age, size, and if she is in heat.

*Female animals in heat can take a longer time because their reproductive tracts are much more fragile and hold more blood when they are in heat.

What’s the recovery like?

For most cats, we use a reversible anesthetic shot so, they recover very quickly.  Usually within 10 to 20 minutes they are awake enough to walk around.  Dogs take a little longer, from 15 to 30 minutes.  The longer surgeries often have somewhat longer wake-up times.

Are there any risks or complications?

Healthy young animals have the lowest risks and are less likely to have any serious complications.  However, it can be much harder to keep young active animals quiet after surgery, so they are more likely to have simple post-surgical complications.

Older animals, or those in heat, especially those with additional health issues, have a higher risk and are more likely to have complications.  If you have any concerns about your pet’s health or if she is on medications for a medical condition, please let the veterinary staff know ahead of time so your animal can be treated appropriately.

Some of the most common post-operative complications include inflammation or infection of the incision, opening up of the incision, swelling under the skin at the incision site caused by fluid, and bleeding.  These complications can be caused or made worse by the pet licking or chewing the skin at the incision or by not keeping the pet quiet as directed after surgery.

Is the surgery painful?

Just as with people, animals feel pain and surgery is not pain-free.  We have the most modern pain management methods.  All animals are given pain medication before surgery starts and then as needed after surgery.  The goal is to keep pets as comfortable as possible.

Spaying or neutering your pet helps to reduce the number of unwanted pets in US shelters, protects against a number of serious diseases, and may help to curb some undesirable behaviors. But our Santa Clarita vets know how confusing it can be to decide when to have your dog spayed. Below we provide some advice on deciding the best age to have your dog spayed or neutered. 

Fixing, Spaying, or Neutering Your Dog

It is estimated that 6.5 million unwanted animals enter US shelters every year. One essential way to help reduce the number of unwanted pets is to get your dog spayed or neutered.

There are a number of terms used when discussing surgeries used to sterilize pets, so let's begin by clarifying what we are discussing in this article.

• Getting your dog 'fixed' means that your pet (male or female) is going to be operated on in order to prevent them from being able to produce puppies. Getting a pet fixed can involve either spaying or neutering.
• Spaying involves removing a female dog’s reproductive organs via either an ovariectomy (removing only the ovaries) or an ovariohysterectomy (removing both uterus and ovaries). After the vet has spayed your female dog, her heat cycle will be eliminated and she will not be able to have puppies.
• Neutering is also known as castration and involves a vet removing both testicles, along with their associated structures. Your neutered dog will not be able to reproduce. Though alternative options, such as vasectomies for male dogs (where the tubes which conduct sperm from the testes are severed) are available, they are not usually performed.

Wondering what the benefits of having your dog spayed or neutered are? Learn more about HERE.

Determining The Best Age to Spay or Neuter Your Dog

Up until recently, it has been common practice to advise pet-parents to have their pets spayed or neutered when the dog is between 6 - 9 months of age, however, more and more often that advice is being questioned.

Risks Associated with Spaying & Neutering

Some recent studies appear to show that spaying or neutering pets at that age may, in some breeds, lead to an increased risk of conditions such as joint disorders,  cranial cruciate injuries, and some cancers. These increased levels of health risks appear to be related to how sex hormones affect each animal's musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and immune systems develop, and the age at which different breeds reach sexual maturity. 

Dog Breeds & Age of Maturity

Toy, miniature and small dogs reach maturity at a much younger age than larger breeds. In fact toy breeds can reach full maturity as young as 6 - 9 months, whereas medium to large breed dogs typically reach maturity around 12 months of age, and giant breeds can take as long as 18 months to reach maturity. Which means that while it is generally considered safe for small dogs to be spayed or neutered between 6 -9 months of age, some vets recommend delaying spay and neuter surgeries until the pet reaches maturity.

Best for Your Unique Pet

Your veterinarian understands your pet's health better than anyone and is typically in the best position to recommend that ideal time to get your pet 'fixed' based on breed, overall health, and lifestyle. When attending your puppy's early appointments for vaccinations and checkups have frank and open conversations with your pet's veterinarian about the best time to have your dog spayed or neutered, and any concerns you may have.

Plan Well Ahead for Your Pet's Spay or Neuter Surgery

In recent years the number of pets across North America has greatly increased, resulting in the need to plan well ahead of time when it comes to treatments such as spay and neuter operations. As soon as your vet gives you an idea of the best age to get your dog fixed, book your dog's surgery, even if it's months in advance. Booking your dog's appointment last minute can result in long delays leading to female pet's going into heat cycles, the development of undesirable behaviors, or unplanned puppies.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

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