Spay and Neuter for Dogs and Cats in Branson
Spay and neuter surgeries are some of the most common procedures performed on pets. Though the necessity of these surgeries is sometimes questioned, pet owners who aren’t breeders should have them spayed or neutered. At Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic, we work to provide reasonably priced spay and neuter surgery to increase pets’ quality of life and curb animal overpopulation.
Need to book an appointment for your pet? Call us at 417-337-7389 or use our online form!
Spay and Neuter Provides Medical and Behavioral Benefits
Having your pet spayed or neutered is widely considered a cornerstone of responsible pet ownership. This important procedure eliminates the risk of unwanted pet pregnancy but also eliminates and reduces many serious health and behavioral concerns in both cats and dogs.
Benefits for Males
- Reduced aggression
- Eliminated risk of testicular cancer
- Lowered risk of prostate problems
- Reduced spraying and territorial urination
- Less mounting of objects and other animals
- Reduced roaming tendencies
Benefits for Females
- No heat cycles and spotting
- Reduced risk of breast tumors
- Eliminated risk of uterine cancer and infections
- Less roaming tendencies
Societal Benefits
Thousands of companion animals end up being put in shelters each year in the United States. The sheer number of these homeless pets, sadly, means many of them will never find forever homes. Having your pets spayed or neutered is a responsible way to fight pet overpopulation. Fewer puppies and kittens crowding shelters means better odds of adoption for pets already in need of homes. When you ensure your pets will not be involved in unwanted pregnancies, you can help combat pet overpopulation!
When to Spay and Neuter Your Dog or Cat
At Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic, we recommend all pet owners bring their pets in for a consultation visit before having them spayed or neutered. This allows Dr. Amanda to evaluate their health and determine the ideal time for spay or neuter surgery.
We recommend having cats and dogs spayed or neutered by the age of six months, however, it is best to determine a timetable on a case-by-case basis. If you have a large or giant-breed dog, they may be a good candidate for gastropexy at the same time of spay or neuter surgery. Large dogs are more at-risk for developing bloat, a life-threatening condition caused by the shifting of the stomach. Gastropexy tacks the stomach to the abdominal wall so it cannot flip or twist, thereby preventing this dangerous affliction. We can discuss this option and how it could impact your dog’s spay or neuter timetable during your consultation visit.
Spay and Neuter Surgery and Recovery for Your Pet
Spay and neuter procedures are performed like any other surgery at Shepherd of the Hills Veterinary Clinic, adhering to our usual safety and presurgical protocols. Remember not to feed pets anything but water for 12 hours before their surgery.
After you bring your pet home, you should take the following precautions:
- Make sure to keep your pet’s atmosphere quiet and relaxed for the first 24 hours, as they could still be a bit disoriented.
- Try to limit your pet’s strenuous physical activity including running and jumping for 14 days.
- Refrain from bathing your pet for 14 days.
- Make sure to keep the surgical sight clean.
- Prevent your pet from scratching or chewing on their surgical sight as they heal.
Our Dog and Cat Spay and Neuter Packages
Spay and neuter surgery is an incredibly important part of pets’ early-life healthcare. In order to make this service more affordable for our clients, we offer special wellness packages for puppies and kittens which include their spay and neuter surgeries and all the related costs. Pets enrolled in these packages receive all the benefits of our regular first-year wellness package plus a nail trim and microchip placement at the time of their spay or neuter surgery.
We also offer special spay and neuter only packages which include their surgery, medication, microchip, nail trim, a physical exam, and an E. Collar to keep them from licking or chewing at stitches. These packages vary in price based on the pet’s gender, species, and size. All spay and neuter patients also receive a small tattoo near their incision site for identification purposes.
For more information about spay and neuter surgeries, our wellness packages, or to schedule a consultation for your pet, please call 417-337-7389 or use the online form.