Spay & Neuter – Creekside Veterinary Hospital & Referral Center

Live Longer. Live Happier.

Spay and neuter care for dogs and cats.

Prior to all anesthetic procedures, a doctor performs a thorough physical examination. Lab work is then run looking for any abnormalities that could not be detected on physical examination. Pre-anesthetic sedation is given to relax the patient and help lessen the amount of anesthesia needed. An IV catheter is placed to have immediate access intravenously in case additional medications are needed. They are then given an injection of an anesthetic agent and an endotracheal tube is placed to help them breathe oxygen during surgery. During all anesthetic procedures a registered veterinary technician monitors blood pressure, pulse oxygenation, temperature, ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate, and end tidal CO2 level. IV fluids are run to maintain your pet’s hydration & blood pressure.

Spay & Neuter

Live long. Live well. The kind choice.

After all of the pre-surgical tasks are completed, the surgery is performed in our sterile surgery suite. After surgery your pet is moved to recovery and monitored closely. Your pet can either then spend the night at our hospital or go home depending on how they recover after anesthesia. Spay procedures have an abdominal incision, but absorbable sutures are usually placed. A neuter procedure is a little less invasive. Your dog will have one incision in the area between his penis and testicles. Absorbable sutures are placed and recovery is very similar to a spay.

Exercise restriction is very important post-operatively as it can reduce swelling, pain, and infection rates. It is very important to keep a close eye on your pet’s incisions and prevent them from licking. Some pets require the use of an Elizabethan collar (the dreaded cone of shame!) if they are licking their incision to prevent infection rates. After 10-14 days, they are usually in the clear and can resume normal activity.