There are some common misconceptions that they need for female dogs to have a litter of puppies beforehand. This is not true. There's no studies that show that there's any benefit to that. There's also some of the misconception that they need to have a heat cycle before they're spayed. There's no studies that show that this is necessary either. As far as male dogs go, depending on their breed, there are some different ages that we may recommend neutering.

There can be complications. The number one complication is the dehiscence of the incision site or the sutures coming out of the incision site. This is usually caused by the dog being too active when they first go home. Other complications that can happen are infection at the incision site or infection in the abdomen, which is less likely to happen.

There is pain involved with having any sort of procedure where you're cutting through the skin and going into the abdomen or going into the scrotum. However, we do everything we can with our anesthetic protocols as well as our pain management protocols to make sure that your pet is pain free during the procedure and after the procedure. They will also go home with pain medications to make sure that they stay comfortable at home.

They will indeed lose the specific urge to seek a mate, so most of the time they will stop running away. However, there could be other reasons why they are escaping from the house, and we may need to consider some other behavioral modifications.

Generally, no, it does not alter their personality. They may have less urge to seek a mate, but it doesn't shift their overall behavior.

This is a common misconception. While we do remove the hormones that usually keep them active, it's crucial to remember that if your pet is less active than before, you may need to adjust their diet.

Absolutely. Veterinarians always ensure that pets are comfortable after the procedure. They will provide them with appropriate pain medications depending on the procedure they've undergone. If you have any concerns about your pet experiencing pain afterwards, it is strongly recommended to give your vet a call.

We generally recommend keeping them calm for the first 10 to 14 days. This is the most important healing time.

Certainly. Veterinarians make sure to send home instructions via email, and you will receive the same print-off when you come to pick up your pet. A registered technician will also be available to answer any questions or concerns you might have. They will also go over the discharge papers, explaining what to expect in terms of feeding and caring for your pet's incision site.

Yes, spaying or neutering can prevent future illnesses. Dogs that are not spayed or neutered are at a higher risk for developing different reproductive system cancers and infections in the uterus. So, there are definite health benefits to getting your dog spayed or neutered.