Spay/Neuter FAQs

Pet owners make several decisions concerning the care and welfare of their pets. One of the most important choices you can make is whether or not to spay or neuter your pet. Pet sterilization prevents unwanted pregnancies while providing several health and behavioral benefits. The veterinary team at Wintermere Pointe Animal Hospital in Winter Garden, FL, is here to answer frequently asked questions about spaying and neutering to help you make an informed decision regarding your pet’s future.

What is the difference between spaying and neutering?

Spaying involves the removal of your female pet’s ovaries and uterus, while neutering removes your male pet’s testicles. These surgeries prevent your pet from becoming pregnant or getting another pet pregnant. Spaying surgery also tends to take longer than neutering. However, both operations are relatively quick and easy to perform.

What happens during a spay/neuter surgery?

We perform spay and neuter surgery while your pet is under anesthesia to allow our veterinarian to conduct the surgery safely while ensuring your pet feels no pain. Our veterinarian will create an incision in the abdomen of female pets and the scrotum in male pets to remove the reproductive organs. Neutering should take around 15 minutes, while spaying usually takes 30 minutes. Our veterinarian will monitor your pet as it wakes up from anesthesia, and you can take your pet home the same day as the operation. Most pets completely recover from the procedure within 10-14 days.

When should I spay or neuter my pet?

The timeline for spaying or neutering your pet will depend on its species and overall health. Smaller dog breeds can get spayed or neutered at six to nine months old, while larger dogs should wait until 12-18 months. Cats can undergo these operations at around four months old. You can also spay or neuter adult pets with minimal risk of complications. Your veterinarian near you can discuss when to spay or neuter your pet during its wellness exam.

Are there health benefits to spaying or neutering my pet?

While the most obvious benefit of spaying or neutering your pet is preventing unwanted pregnancies, these procedures also provide several health and behavioral benefits. Spaying and neutering reduces or eliminates the risk of your pet developing cancers, infections, and other issues involving the reproductive organs. Spaying your female pet before its first heat cycle prevents behavioral issues like howling and spraying. Neutering also reduces aggressive tendencies and the desire to roam in male pets.

Schedule Spay/Neuter Surgery Today at Our Animal Hospital in Winter Garden, FL

If you want to spay or neuter your pet and need a trusted “veterinarian near you” to perform this procedure, look no further than Wintermere Pointe Animal Hospital in Winter Garden, FL. Our veterinary team can protect your pet’s health and well-being in the future with these routine procedures, so call us and schedule an appointment today at (407) 554-3422.