If your male cat is neutered before he starts spraying chances are he will not spray. If your male cat is already in the habit of spraying chances are unlikely that the neutering will cause his behavior to stop.

It is best to wait 14 weeks after the kittens/puppies are born, so that the mother can nurse until her litter is weaned and the uterus will have time to regain strength. We require that kittens or puppies be away from the mother for two weeks prior to surgery to minimize the chance that she has significant mammary development.  Female cats & dogs can get pregnant even while nursing a young litter so we strongly encourage owners to keep their animals inside after having a litter until they are able to be spayed.  Spaying them prior to the 14 week mark is significantly higher risk to your pet both at surgery and in their recovery period.  The sutures are absorbable, so their mammary secretions can cause them to absorb prematurely.  If they are with the kittens or puppies in the post-operative period, they may chew or lick at the incision and cause the sutures to absorb prematurely.

Female cats and dogs can get pregnant as early as 5 months old. Puppies and kittens can get pregnant even from their own litter mates.

Your pet should be at least 3 months old and weigh at least 2 pounds before undergoing surgery. We encourage early age surgery due to the quick recovery time a younger cat or dog experiences.

Each cat or dog is given an anesthetic injection to put them under for surgery and maintained on anesthetic gas and oxygen for the procedure. All cats are given an injection of a pain and anti-inflammatory lasting three days, and each dog is given an injection of Morphine for pain relief during and after surgery.  Dogs are sent home on additional pain medication to cover them for the next 3 days.

Animals still receive the same anesthetics, pain medications and sterile surgical procedure they would at a general practice, however The Sandhills Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic (SNVC) is a not for profit organization. What this means is that the price that we charge owners and rescue groups is LESS than what it actually costs us to do surgery.  We are able to operate below cost through funding received from the non-profit Companion Animal Clinic of the Sandhills, who is a 501(c) (3) organization. CAC depends on grants, donations and fundraising events to support the SNVC. CAC was able to purchase our building and equipment through donations and grants.  They also help to subsidize the additional cost per surgery as needed.  Our clinic specializes in spay neuter surgeries and has all the anesthetic equipment needed for surgeries.  Since our veterinarians and staff focus on spay and neuter surgeries, we are able to perform between 30-60 surgeries per day depending on the number of doctors.

Your pet will receive a small, green tattoo near the incision site. This tattoo is not another incision—it’s just a small score in the top layers of the skin filled with tattoo ink and covered with surgical glue. The tattoo will ensure that anyone examining your animal will know they have been sterilized.  We tattoo all dogs and female cats, this service is not optional.

In female animals, the uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in the abdominal wall, which makes them unable to get pregnant. In male dogs and cats, the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles. This prevents the production of sperm, meaning they will no longer be able to father puppies or kittens. Our patients are completely asleep during surgery, and are unable to feel or move.  They are given pain and anti-inflammatory medications to ensure that discomfort is to a minimum after surgery.

• Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
• Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
• Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
• Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs. Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife
• Biggest benefit is helping to fight pet overpopulation! Millions of cats and dogs of all breeds are euthanized in shelters annually. This is the result of repeated unwanted litters being born, all of which could have been prevented if the animals were spayed or neutered.  We need you to help us be the solution to pet overpopulation!

• Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions. They can focus on their human families and be less distracted.
• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs. In Cats it lasts an average of six to seven days, and can be as often as every 3 weeks during breeding season. Females in heat can have bloody vaginal discharge, cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
• Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
• Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
• Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
• The cost of spaying and neutering here at the clinic is much less than the cost of caring for repeated litter of puppies and kittens. It also is less expensive than paying for injuries from roaming or even the cost of cleaning the carpet after your female dog goes into heat!

• Stops the mating drive
• Reduces the urge to roam and therefore reduces injuries associated with roaming
• Reduces mounting
• Stops most causes of spraying to mark territory and makes it less likely if they are neutered while young
• Eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate cancer

• Eliminates the heat cycle
• Promotes longer, healthier lives
• Ends vocalization during estrus
• Stops the bloody discharge
• Stops unwelcome visitors
• Reduces the incidence of a number of health problems such as ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Breast cancer can be fatal in up to 50% of dogs and 90% of cats.
• Prevents your pet from having a pyometra, mucometra or becoming pregnant.

Spaying is the procedure used for female pets. Neutering generally refers to the procedure used for male pets. They are both ways of providing permanent birth control for dogs and cats by removing reproductive organs. Through spaying or neutering, you can help your pet have a happier, healthier and longer life. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Spaying or neutering your pet allows them to live without distractions of cycling or desiring to reproduce, discomfort of repeated pregnancies and reduces health risks associate with remaining intact. Spaying and neutering helps all pets by reducing the number of dogs and cats ending up in shelters and being euthanized.