Spay & Neuter
Support the fight against animal overpopulation in Denver. Spay and neuter your pets.
Every year, thousands of stray and unwanted animals are euthanized in shelters across the United States. When pets are not spayed and neutered, their unexpected offspring fill shelters and are never given the chance at happy, loving lives. Bear Valley Veterinary Care Center supports the fight against animal overpopulation in Denver by encouraging all pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.
Spaying
Spaying is a common surgical procedure performed on female cats and dogs. The process is called an ovariohysterectomy, and it involves removing the pet patient’s uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes so the animal can no longer reproduce. Bear Valley’s veterinarians recommend spaying pets when they are 3 to 6 months old, depending on their breed. Ideally, a pet will be spayed before her first heat.
Benefits of Spaying
Spaying provides pets with many notable health benefits, including:
- Preventing unwanted pregnancies
- Eliminating the risk of ovarian and uterine tumors
- Removing the possibility of uterine infections
What to Expect After Surgery
Spaying is a major surgery that requires 7 to 10 days of recovery time. Pets may be given pain medication to make recovery more comfortable. Lethargy is common for the first couple days following the procedure. To prevent infection, keep your pet from licking or biting the incision.
Neutering
Neutering is a surgical procedure performed on male cats and dogs. During the surgery, the pet is castrated so they can no longer impregnate females. Bear Valley’s veterinarians generally recommend having pets neutered when they are 4 to 6 months old, but the procedure can be performed on older animals as well.
Benefits of Neutering
Neutering provides pets with many notable health benefits, including:
- Preventing unwanted reproduction
- Placating the animal, reducing aggressive behavior and decreasing dominant tendencies
- Reducing roaming and spraying (territory-marking)
- Eliminating the risk of testicular and prostate tumors
What to Expect After Surgery
Although it is less invasive than spaying, neutering is still a major medical procedure that requires some recovery time. Following the procedure, your pet will be sleepy from the anesthesia, and this lethargy may last a couple of days. Your Bear Valley veterinarian may administer medication to combat pain during recovery. To prevent infection, keep your pet from licking or biting the incision.
To learn more about spaying and neutering, schedule an appointment at Bear Valley Veterinary Care Center.