What You Need to Know About Spay and Neuter Surgery
Spaying and neutering are essential procedures for your furry companion's health and well-being. Clinton Hill Animal Clinic, your trusted veterinarian in Brooklyn, offers these procedures to help keep your pet healthy and prevent unwanted litters. Here's a breakdown of what pet owners need to know about spaying and neutering.
The Surgical Procedures
Both spaying (females) and neutering (males) are performed under general anesthesia to ensure your pet's comfort. Pain medication is also administered to minimize discomfort during recovery. Throughout the surgery, your pet's vital signs are closely monitored.
• Spaying: A surgical incision is made below the female pet's belly button to remove the ovaries, uterus, and reproductive tract.
• Neutering: For males, an incision is made at the base of the penis to remove the testicles.
Following surgery, the incisions are closed with stitches, skin glue, or staples.
Surgical Timeframes
The duration of each surgery varies:
• Male cat neutering: This is a quick procedure, typically completed in under 2 minutes.
• Dog neutering: This surgery takes between 5 and 20 minutes, depending on the dog's age and size.
• Female cat spaying: Spaying a female cat usually takes around 20 minutes.
• Dog spaying: Spaying a female dog can take up to 90 minutes due to the complexity of the reproductive tract.
Recovery
Cats typically recover quickly. Following surgery, they are administered a special injection that allows them to awaken and walk around within 20 minutes. Dogs generally take longer to regain mobility, typically waking up and regaining some movement within 20-30 minutes after surgery.
Potential Risks and Complications
Younger and healthier pets are less likely to experience complications. However, some simple issues can arise post-surgery, especially if young pets are not kept calm and quiet during recovery. Older pets, pets in heat, and those with underlying health conditions have a higher risk of complications. Common post-operative concerns include infection or incision reopening, inflammation under the skin, and swelling at the surgical site.
It's important to disclose any pre-existing health conditions or medications your pet is taking to the veterinary team beforehand. This information allows us to tailor the surgical approach and provide the best possible care for your pet.
Contact Clinton Hill Animal Clinic Today
If you live in Brooklyn and are considering spaying or neutering your pet, contact our experienced veterinarians near you at Clinton Hill Animal Clinic. Schedule an appointment online or call us at (718) 623-3999 to discuss your pet's needs and available appointment times.