The spay or neuter is the most common surgery performed by veterinarians. While common, all surgical procedures carry some risk. You can minimize that risk by partnering with a highly qualified veterinary team, like your friends at Bloomfield Animal Hospital.
Our Lakewood, California team adheres to rigorous guidelines set forth by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Rest assured, your pets are in exceptionally safe and capable hands by partnering with our AAHA-accredited hospital. It’s estimated that just 12% of animal hospitals in the U.S. and Canada have earned this distinction based on our unwavering adherence to stringent surgical protocols and an environment that promotes optimal outcomes and fast and predictable healing.
What does a spay involve?
The “standard” ovariohysterectomy, as known in medical circles, involves the removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. By removing these organs, your female dog or cat is not capable of reproducing.
What is done during a neuter?
The “standard” neutering procedure, or orchiectomy, involves removing the testicles. Here again, by removing your male dog’s or cat’s ability to reproduce, you do your part to control the population of unwanted pets and promote our communities’ safety and health. This process also promotes the health of your pet.
There are numerous behavioral and systemic health threats that can develop when you keep your pets’ reproductive organs intact. By removing the source of roaming, hyper-vocalizations, aggression, marking, and other harmful instincts, neutering and spaying help support a happy, healthy household. They encourage the best relationships between other animals in the home, neighborhood, and community, as well as with the human members of the family. Female pets are not at risk of developing potentially deadly uterine infections or mammary cancers. Male pets, likewise, are no longer at risk of testicular cancers or enlarged prostate glands.
What are the risks of surgery?
We will review everything to expect with you in advance of the procedure. Be sure to follow any pre-operative and post-operative instructions we provide. These steps help to minimize the rare risk of serious complications associated with this common procedure. These potential risks involve the anesthesia and the surgery itself. Additionally, by partnering with a highly qualified and experienced team like ours, you are also helping to minimize the risk of potentially adverse side effects and complications and help to encourage fast and uneventful healing.
For instance, Bloomfield Animal Hospital conducts a thorough pre-operative exam to assess your pet’s suitability for any surgical procedure and effectively address any barriers to treatment as needed and appropriate. Our in-house lab capabilities also allow us to accurately and responsively tailor anesthesia and pain management to each patient’s unique needs. At every step of the procedure, your pet’s vitals are monitored to ensure safety and comfort.
You probably have many more questions. We welcome them! Just give our team in Lakewood, CA, a call today at (562) 383-7788.
