Surgical Procedures

Our highly skilled veterinarian can perform a wide range of surgeries for your pet, from standard spay and neuter procedures to more complex soft tissue surgeries. Before surgery, we require pets to undergo a physical examination and recommended blood testing and ECG in order to detect any outstanding medical problems and to better develop an anesthesia protocol for your pet. During and after surgery, we offer state-of-the-art patient monitoring, pulse oximetry and individualized nursing care for your pet. Our hospital also provides pain management therapy for pets following surgery.

Laser Surgery

We are also pleased to offer CO2 laser surgical treatments to our patients. Laser surgery has been widely used in veterinary surgical procedures, from declaws and spays and neuters to tumor removals and amputations. Laser surgery offers many benefits to your pet. When your pet undergoes laser surgery, he or she will feel less pain, face less bleeding or swelling, and will enjoy a faster recovery time and a reduced hospital stay. Please ask Dr. Kresser about laser surgery.

Decision To Have Your Dog Neutered Or Spayed

Having your pet spayed (ovariohysterectomy) or neutered (castrated) is an inexpensive and realistic method of pet population control. The number of unwanted adult and young animals that are euthanized each year in the United States is astounding. Aside from the pet overpopulation problem, neutering a male dog and spaying a female helps prevent, and even eliminates, medical problems associated with hormonal imbalances.

Male and female dogs reach sexual maturity around nine months of age. Often, male dogs reach maturity slightly later than females. Sometimes confusion exists between sexual maturity and normal puppy behavior. Normal puppy behavior is often exhibited when he or she straddles the leg(s) of an individual. This behavior has nothing to do with sexual maturity and is performed by both male and female puppies.

It is usually noticeable when a female dog (bitch) reaches sexual maturity. A bloody discharge is seen around her external genital area. This bloody discharge is significant and can last up to 10-14 days. Along with the discharge, the external genitals become swollen. This is the first phase of her heat cycle and is called "estrus." During the last few days of the estrus phase, the bitch is receptive to the male and can get pregnant. Similar to cats, the gestation period lasts about two months. At the end of the two-month gestation period, puppies (puppies, not a puppy) are born. A typical litter size averages between five to 10 puppies.

Aside from having puppies, non-spayed females are more susceptible to mammary gland tumors and uterine infections. Pyometras (infections of the uterus) are extremely common in non-spayed bitches and almost always require emergency surgery. Mammary tumors get large and multiply quickly if left untreated. Having your dog spayed can eliminate both of these conditions.

Having your male dog neutered makes him a better pet. Instead of roaming, he will spend more time at home. Non-neutered male dogs often exhibit aggressive behavior, especially if a non-spayed female is in the vicinity. Dog fights between two non-neutered dogs are not uncommon. Usually one of the dogs ends up severely injured.
An aggressive dog will not hesitate to bite a human. Often, non-spayed and non-neutered dogs are significantly more aggressive than spayed and neutered animals. Many people receive serious injuries resulting from dog bites.

Dog neuters and spays are generally performed when animals are six to nine months of age.

Ovariohysterectomy is the medical term for spaying a female dog. Ovariohysterectomy is best performed on a puppy around 5-10 months of age. If necessary, the surgery can be performed at an earlier age without any noticeable side effects. Ovariohysterectomies can be performed at any age, however the surgery is much less complicated and there are fewer risks when the animal is young.

Even though a spay is considered routine surgery, there is nothing routine about any abdominal surgery performed under general anesthesia. Most Veterinarians consider a dog spay to be major surgery, especially when spaying older bitches that have had several heat cycles or have had puppies.

Having your female dog spayed is an obligation that comes with pet ownership. All humane organizations, animal shelters and veterinarians promote the concept of pet population control by having dogs and cats spayed and neutered. The cost of a dog spay is inexpensive, especially when you consider what is involved.

Pre-Surgical and Post-Surgical Considerations

• Your pet should be current with her vaccinations.
• No food should be given 12-18 hours before the surgery and no water should be given 2-4 hours before the surgery.
• Your dog's activities should be restricted for 5-7 days after the surgery.
• Sutures often need to be removed 10-14 days post-surgically. Ask a hospital technician about suture removal.
• Call the veterinary hospital if you notice any problems or have questions regarding your dog's health.
• The main reason for spaying a female dog is to prevent heat periods and unwanted pregnancies. Ovariohysterectomies also greatly reduce the risk of mammary cancer and certain skin disorders. After the spay, uterine infections and ovarian problems are nonexistent.