Spay and Neuter in Tequesta, FL

Welcome to our in house surgical center

Your pet’s spay or neuter will be performed here in our Tequesta, FL veterinary clinic, so you have the confidence of knowing your pet is under the care of our skilled veterinarians using our state-of-the-art equipment and surgical instruments. You can also be assured that our experienced and well-trained veterinary nurses will be monitoring your pet’s vital signs while under anesthesia and continuing to keep watch over them throughout the recovery period.

Spay and Neuter?

Getting your dog or cat spayed or neutered is an important part of owning a pet. Not only does it prevent animal overpopulation and help ensure a loving home for every pet, it’s also good for their overall health. Our veterinarians have years of experience performing safe and effective spay and neuter procedures for Jupiter area pets. With our clean facility and welcoming staff, you can feel comfortable knowing you’re making the right decision for your pet.

What is Spaying?

Spaying, known medically as ovariohysterectomy, is a surgical procedure performed on female animals. It involves the removal of the ovaries and typically the uterus under general anesthesia. This operation eliminates the possibility of the pet entering heat and subsequently getting pregnant. It’s a common procedure recommended for female dogs and cats.

What is Neutering?

Neutering, or castration, is the surgical removal of a male animal’s testicles. This process prevents the male from impregnating a female by removing the primary source of testosterone production. Neutering is recommended for male pets to help control their behavior and prevent unwanted litters.

When to Spay and Neuter

For cats, the general recommendation is to spay or neuter by the age of five months. This is to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the risk of certain health problems. Kittens can safely undergo the procedure as young as eight weeks old.

The best age to spay or neuter a dog is more variable and can depend heavily on breed size. Small breeds may be spayed or neutered as early as six months, while larger breeds might benefit from waiting until they are at least one year old. This delay allows for the full development of the dog’s bones and joints, which can be important for larger breeds.

The Pros of Spay and Neuter

Reduces risk of cancer – Spaying helps prevent uterine infections known as pyometra and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. Neutering male pets can prevent testicular cancer and reduce the risk of prostate problems.
Increases lifespan – Studies have shown that spayed and neutered pets have a longer lifespan compared to their intact counterparts. By reducing the risk of certain diseases, these procedures can contribute to a healthier life for your pet.
Prevents unwanted litters – Uncontrolled breeding can lead to an excess of animals that may not find homes, which contributes to the issue of overpopulation in shelters. Spaying and neutering are direct ways to reduce the number of animals on the streets and in shelters.
Saves lives – By preventing the birth of unwanted litters, spay and neuter procedures play a critical role in reducing the number of animals that are euthanized each year due to shelter overpopulation.
Reduces aggression and roaming – Neutering often results in a reduction of aggressive behavior in males. It can also decrease the tendency to roam, which in turn reduces the risk of injury from fights or accidents.
Lessens undesirable behaviors – Pets that have been spayed or neutered are less likely to exhibit behaviors such as marking territory or mounting. This can make for a more harmonious household and neighborhood.
Reduces stray animal issues – Spaying and neutering help reduce the number of stray animals, which can cause public health issues, including the spread of diseases such as rabies.
Lowers shelter costs – With fewer unwanted pets, shelters can allocate more resources per animal, improving the care for those that need it and potentially reducing taxpayer burden.
Protects wildlife – In areas with significant stray populations, spaying and neutering can help protect local wildlife by reducing the number of predators and competitors.
Reduces carbon pawprint – Each pet has a carbon footprint, primarily through food consumption and waste. By controlling the pet population, we can reduce the overall environmental impact.

Misconceptions About Spay and Neuter

Myth: It will change my pet’s personality

One common misconception is that spaying or neutering will alter a pet’s fundamental personality. While the procedures can reduce certain behaviors driven by hormones, they do not change the pet’s affectionate nature or playfulness.

Myth: It’s expensive and unnecessary

Some pet owners believe that these procedures are too costly and not essential if they manage their pets well. However, the surgery costs far less than the cost of caring for a litter.

Myth: Pets should have one litter before spaying

There is no evidence to suggest that female pets should have one litter before being spayed. In fact, spaying before the first heat offers the best protection against certain health issues.

Preparing for a Spay or Neuter Surgery

Preparation is key to ensuring that your pet’s spay or neuter surgery goes smoothly. Here’s what you need to do before the big day:

Pre-Operative Instructions

Fasting: We will ask you to withhold food by midnight, the night before surgery. This reduces the risk of complications during anesthesia.
Water intake: While food should be withheld, your pet can continue to drink water until the morning of the surgery.
Comfort: Make sure your pet is comfortable and calm before the procedure. A familiar blanket or toy can help ease anxiety.
Transportation: Plan how you will safely transport your pet to and from the veterinary clinic. A secure carrier for cats or a leash and harness for dogs are essential.
We are a Fear Free practicing veterinary clinic. This means we will provide pre-visit pharmaceuticals like Gabapentin or Trazadone to ease the stress and pain before surgery.

Discussing Health Concerns

Before surgery, we may recommend blood tests to ensure that your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and the surgical procedure. This is also the time to discuss any concerns or ask questions regarding the surgery.

Pre-Op Care for Spay and Neuter

Pre-operative care involves more than just the immediate preparations for surgery. In the days leading up to the procedure, you should:

Monitor your pet’s health: Keep an eye out for any signs of illness. A cold, infection, or other health issues should be reported to our veterinarians as we may need to delay the surgery to address the illness.
Keep your pet indoors: To reduce the risk of injury or infection, keep your pet indoors and away from other animals.
Medications: If your pet is on any medications, tell our veterinary team so we may instruct you on how to manage them before the surgery

Post-Op Care for Spay and Neuter

After the surgery, your pet will need time to recover. Here’s how you can help them heal:

Immediately After Surgery

Rest: Your pet will be groggy after anesthesia, so it’s essential to provide a quiet, comfortable place for them to rest.
Pain management: We will provide pain relief medication. Follow the dosing instructions carefully.
Food and water: Offer a small amount of food and water once your pet is fully awake and can swallow normally. Don’t be alarmed if they’re not interested in eating right away.

The Days Following Surgery

Activity restriction: Limit your pet’s activity to prevent strain on the incision site. This means no running, jumping, or rough play.
Incision care: Check the incision site daily for signs of infection or unusual swelling. Keep the area clean and dry.
Elizabethan collar: Your pet may be required to wear an “e-collar” to prevent them from licking or biting the incision site.
Follow-up appointments: Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments so our veterinary team can monitor your pet’s recovery.

Recognizing Complications

If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact our team immediately:

Excessive redness, swelling, or discharge at the incision site
Open incision site
A significant change in your pet’s eating or drinking habits
Unusual lethargy or depression
Signs of pain that don’t improve with prescribed medication

Comprehensive Surgery Onsite

Our goal at Tequesta Veterinary Clinic is to partner with you in providing your precious animal companion with a long life of health and wellness. To that end, in addition to our extensive menu of other veterinary services, we offer pet surgery to combat common issues that may arise.

Your pet’s surgery will be performed here in our veterinary clinic, so you have the confidence of knowing your pet is under the care of our skilled veterinarians (Dr. Joi and Dr. Kate) using our state-of-the-art equipment and surgical instruments. You can also be assured that our experienced and well-trained veterinary nurses will be monitoring your pet’s vital signs while under anesthesia and continuing to keep watch over them throughout the recovery period.

Safe Procedures

Anesthesia is an art! We strive to incorporate Fear Free practices from beginning to end. We send home courtesy “pre op” meds and detailed instructions regarding what you should expect. Your pet will get melatonin and protonix the night before anesthesia and gabapentin the morning of anesthesia. When you drop your sweetie off for the procedure we ask that you stay for 10 to 20 minutes in the exam room while the injection of midazolam takes effect before your pet goes to the back for the iv catheter, anti-nausea medications, pre op blood pressure and pre op ECG. When your pet is awake, we do our best to send your sweetie home with you rather than fret in the kennel all day. We also incorporate local anesthesia into nearly all procedures at no charge.

Why Spay & Neutering Pricing Varies from Clinic to Clinic

A client had been calling around to get quotes to neuter her dog. She asked Dr. Joi why the prices varied between our clinic and the low-cost spay and neuter facilities. The answer is very likely the precautions such as IV fluids, anesthesia monitoring equipment, courtesy class 4 therapy laser with surgery, and multimodal analgesia. And then there are Dr. Joi’s 30+ years of surgical experience. At the low-cost spay and neuter hospitals, it is assembly line surgery with numerous pets under anesthesia or in recovery at one time. Dr. Joi has worked at such clinics. In fact, she founded a non-profit and ran international spay/neuter volunteer campaigns herself for years. (She has spayed and neutered thousands of animals and likes to joke that spaying a pet is comforting to her like knitting was to Gramma.) At Tequesta Veterinary Clinic, we wait until one anesthetic patient is extubated and upright before we anesthetize the next patient. At shelters and low-cost spay and neuter clinics, there are often numerous pets in recovery (with endotracheal tubes still in them post-op) at once. This assembly line surgery practice is how these hospitals can afford to provide such low-cost surgery. We limit our procedures to 2 or 3 per day rather than scheduling 15 to 25 procedures per day as most low-cost spay and neuter facilities perform. Some might call this “boutique” anesthesia. We proudly offer the anesthesia for your pets as we would use for our own pets. One of our principles is to treat every patient as if it were our own and treat every client as if she were our mother. Please check out the “Anesthesia and Safety Nets” below.

Our Anesthesia Safety Nets and Best Practices

Written by Dr. Joi Sutton

Keep reading to learn the many “safety nets” we have in place to minimize the risk of anesthesia. We do not allow clients to decline any of these safety nets. These are non-negotiable! These safety nets are included in the price of anesthesia. These safety nets are the things we do when we anesthetize our own pets.

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Spay and Neuter in Tequesta, FL

Spay and Neuter?

Comprehensive Surgery Onsite

Safe Procedures

Why Spay & Neutering Pricing Varies from Clinic to Clinic

Our Anesthesia Safety Nets and Best Practices

Need to book an appointment?

Tequesta Veterinary Clinic

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