FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

General questions:

What age should I spay or neuter my dog? What if they are a large breed?

This is a complex question without a simple answer. For the majority of dogs, spay and neuter is recommended prior to 6 months of age. If your dog will be less than 45 pounds (when fully grown), spay/neuter before 6 months is best. If your dog will be larger than 45 pounds, it depends…

avma pediatric link

What age is best to spay or neuter my cat?

Cats have a more simple answer to this question. Spay and neuter by 5 months of age. There is NO documented benefit to waiting.

How can you offer surgery at a lower cost than my regular vet?

We have streamlined our services, reduced overhead, and focus ONLY ony surgery. Due to our focus on surgery only, we are able to perform more surgeries per day and lower the costs for you. Your primary vet is still an invaluable resource for your pet’s future health!

Medical / Surgical Questions:

Is anesthesia safe for my pet?

Yes. Anesthetics have come a long way over the last few decades. We have safe and reversible medications. We are informed about MDR-1 dogs (and cats), and breed specific anesthesia concerns. We will ensure your pet is well cared for during their surgical procedure. We will ensure their pain is prevented and treated, and we do everything we would want for the safety of our own pets.

What is the recovery time after surgery? Does my pet really need to wear a cone?

The typical recovery time for spay/neuter surgery is 10-14 days. If your pet licks at their incision, they can cause infection, inflammation, and in the worse cases, open up the incision completely (which can be a life-threatening complication). It is important to use a cone or surgical suit to prevent licking during the healing process.

Does my pet need pre-anesthestic bloodwork?

Blood testing is not required for most pets. Blood testing commonly includes a CBC (complete blood count) to evaluate red and white cells, and platelets. This helps determine if your pet is anemic or may have any issues with healing after surgery. A chemistry panel can also be performed. This measure blood values that help us understand how well your pet’s kidneys and liver are function. It also tests blood sugar, electrolytes, and protein levels.

What if my dog/cat is in heat (or was in heat recently)?

We can still schedule surgery to prevent pregnancy. Cats will continue to have heat cycles fairly consistently. In dogs, there is a slight increase of a “false pregnancy” when spayed during or immediately after a heat cycle. However, there are also risks that she could develop an infected uterus (pyometra) in that time. We recommend scheduling as soon as possible to prevent pregnancy or pyometra.

My dog/cat might alerady be pregnant - What should I do?

We are able to safely perform your pet’s spay surgery, even if they are pregnant. If you have specific questions, please reach out to our team to discuss your pet’s situation.

Will my pet be in pain after surgery?

We pre-emptively use pain medication before surgery. We use local numbing medication to help prevent pain during surgery. Your pet will also go home with pain medication to give during their healing process. Restricting their activity/movement during healing is an important part of preventing pain and promote healing. Most animals act very normal and don’t show any signs of pain. However, some are more communicative or sensitive than others. If you are worried about your pet experiencing pain after surgery, please reach out to our team.

Scheduling and Logistics Questions:

Do I need to schedule an exam/consultation prior to spay or neuter surgery?

No. Unless your pet has unique or high-risk concerns, you can schedule through our online system.

What if my situation is unique or I have more specific questions or I want to meet the doctor prior to scheduling?

If your pet needs surgery other than spay or neuter, or you have concerns, or want to meet the doctor, you can schedule a consultation.

Do you offer other surgical procedures?

Yes, but we are limited in the type of surgery. We do not offer any orthopedic (TPLO) surgeries. Contact our team (preferably an email, with your pet’s medical records attached) for more information. If your pet needs urgent care or emergency surgery, please go to the nearest emergency hospital. We do not provide surgery on weekends.

Oops - I lef my pet’s food out overnight! Do I need to reschedule their surgery?

Please remove their food as soon as you realize. Let the medical team know the latest time your pet ate, and how much. We can generally still perform surgery that day while still following AAHA safety protocols (fasting is only required for 4-6 hours). Your pet may have surgery later in the day, or we may elect to reschedule if that is the safest option.

What payment options do you accept?

Payment is made via text/email link using any major credit card. We do not currently accept other payment types.

Why does my pet need a tattoo?

It is important to have permanant identification that your pet has been spayed or neutered. This prevents future unnecessary surgery if your pet were to ever go missing. This is not an optional service and must be performed with every surgery. The green line is very small (less than one inch) and heals very quickly).