Spaying and Neutering Services - State of the Art Laser Surgery, Petworks in Overland Park, KS

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SPAYING & NEUTERING

To spay or neuter your pet means to surgically prevent them from reproducing. Spaying is the removal of a female dog or cats ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. A neuter is the removal of the male cat or dogs' testicles. While these are surgical procedures, they are the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians. The surgery carries risk with it, as does any surgery. The incidence of complications from these procedures is, however, very low. Dr. Callicott performs all procedures with a surgical laser. Laser surgery with spaying and neutering decreases your pet’s pain, swelling and recovery time.

There are many reasons that pet owners decide to have their pets spayed or neutered. One of those many reasons is to help control pet overpopulation. Millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including kittens and puppies have no homes and many are even euthanized each year. But, there is good news. As a pet owner you are making an informed decision. Choosing this path is choosing to prevent the births of so many unwanted kittens and puppies.

Another reason for early spaying or neutering pets is that it can protect them from health problems later in life. Some of the serious health conditions that can occur if a pet is not spayed may include uterine infections and breast cancer. Possible health issues that may occur if a cat or dog is not neutered include an enlarged prostate gland or testicular cancer.

A pet’s behavior is also something that may be affected after a spay or neuter. The tendency for a pet to “roam” is decreased. Male cats or dogs will go to great lengths and travel considerable distances to get to a female in heat. This strong need to find a female in heat may make it difficult for their owners to contain your male pet.

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These types of surgery to prevent reproduction are generally performed at or before 6 months of age. Also, the weight of a younger pet is taken in to account to assist in a successful surgery outcome with the least risk of complications.

The surgeries are common and do not take long to perform. Here at Petworks Veterinary Hospital every consideration for a successful surgery is taken. Our goal is to perform every surgery with zero complications. However, as with human surgeries some complications do occur. Some of these complications may be possible infection or a hemorrhage. We offer pre-anesthetic bloodwork to rule out any health concerns as well as constant surgical monitoring, proper sterilization techniques and post-operative pain management..

Here at Petworks Veterinary Hospital a receptionist will call the patient’s owner the night before to inform you with hold food the night before surgery. This prevents vomiting and choking during the surgery.

All patients receive a complete physical exam prior to having an anesthetic protocol work up including pain management. After anesthesia is administered all patients are monitored with the latest machines to assess blood pressure and EKG. The procedure takes place in our sterile surgical suite. After the surgery is completed the patients recover in our ICU where they are constantly monitored until they are fully awake. Dr. Callicott or one of the veterinary technicians will call the patient’s owner after the surgery with an update as to how the patient is doing and how the procedure went. A spay surgery requires the patient to stay the night for continued monitoring post-operatively, administer fluids and pain medication. A post-surgical visit will be schedule following the spay. The patient will be able to be picked up by mid to late afternoon the next day. Neutering a patient does not require an overnight stay. The patient will go home the same day. The patient’s owner will be given detailed discharge instructions and medications to take home for a spay or neuter. We will ask that you monitor your pet for concerning symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting or reduced appetite. We will also advise the patient’s owner to watch for such complications as inflammation, opening of the incision, infection, swelling or bleeding. A post-surgical visit will be scheduled for patients that undergo a spay.

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