Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and neutering not only changes your pet’s ability to reproduce, but can curb some of the behaviour associated with it. Pets who have the procedure tend to live longer than those who don’t. It also limits overpopulation, with less unwanted furry friends in shelters. If you have questions about the procedure, please contact us at 403-938-4171.

Why should I have my pet spayed/neutered?

Removing your pet’s reproductive organs means they’ll no longer be able to father or mother a litter of puppies or kittens. Puppies and kittens can require a lot of extra time, effort and money, especially if they come unexpectedly. When your pet is in heat, you could notice changes in their behaviour like aggression, roaming, clinginess or humping. The procedure curbs these behaviours. Your pet will also be less likely to develop testicular or mammary cancers. In addition, pets reproduce at a much faster rate than humans, which creates overpopulation. This procedure means less furry friends end up in shelters or on the streets.

How does the procedure work?

We recommend pets be spayed/neutered after they are 5-months-old. When your female pet is spayed, their ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed. When they’re neutered, your male pet’s testes are removed. Incisions are made near the abdomen or scrotum to remove their reproductive organs. As with any major surgical procedure, there are some risks involved. However, our veterinary team has successfully performed countless spays and neuters on furry friends because it is one of the most popular surgeries.

Will my pet need anesthesia?

Yes. Performing the surgery while your pet is under anesthesia is one of the ways we ensure their safety. Since this is a major surgery, it would be more dangerous to perform it while your pet was awake on the operating table. Anesthesia also decreases your pet’s pain. Before they receive this medication, we do bloodwork in our in-house laboratory to ensure they’re body will respond well to it.