Spay and Neuter

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Spaying and Neutering

Boerum Hill Veterinary Wellness Center’s veterinarians perform safe, minimally invasive procedures that decrease your pet’s risk of health problems and help control the pet population. Depending on your pet’s age, your veterinarian will tell you the best time to have them spayed or neutered. Dogs and cats can be spayed or neutered as early as four months old.

What are the Benefits of Spaying?

Along with preventing pregnancy, spaying your pet decreases her risk of mammary gland tumors or uterine/ovarian cancer later in life, especially if she is spayed before her first heat cycle.

Once they are spayed, your pet’s hormone levels will considerably drop, which is a health benefit that helps reduce the growth of malignant or benign neoplasms in her mammary glands. Between 25% and 35% of unspayed dogs over seven will eventually develop at least one mammary tumor because of hormones related to her estrous cycle.

Pyometra is another medical problem that affects unspayed pets. This is an abnormal accumulation of pus in the uterus caused by uterine cysts. Secondary infections that are caused by pyometra can be life-threatening and will require immediate veterinary care.

What are the Benefits of Neutering?

Neutering male cats and dogs will:

  • Reduce or even eliminate spraying and marking
  • Minimize aggressive, roaming behaviors
  • Eliminate the risk of testicular cancer
  • Decrease incidences of prostate disease

Reducing testosterone levels by neutering your dog makes it easier to train them. Neutering male cats will remove the urge for them to fight with other cats.

I Scheduled a Spay or Neuter. How Do I Prepare My Pet for This?

Prior to the surgery, our veterinarian will give your pet a thorough examination and discuss the spay or neuter procedure. The evening before surgery, do not give your pet food after midnight—this reduces nausea and vomiting after the surgery. Pets also must be up-to-date on their vaccinations before we can perform a spay or neuter.

After surgery, we will move your pet to a quiet area so they can peacefully awaken from the anesthesia. Our staff will continuously monitor your pet’s vitals and ensure that they are comfortable. Once your pet is completely awake and stable, you can take them home to recover.

To schedule a spay or neuter consultation appointment with our veterinarians, contact us at 347-463-9426 or schedule an appointment online.