Spaying and Neutering Your Dog at The Animal Hospital of Roxbury
At The Animal Hospital of Roxbury, we provide safe, professional spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats of all ages. These routine procedures offer lifelong health benefits, help reduce overpopulation, and support a happier, healthier life for your pet.
Why Spaying and Neutering Matters
Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) are common surgical procedures that prevent your pet from reproducing. But the benefits go far beyond that:
Health Benefits:
- Reduces the risk of certain cancers (mammary, uterine, testicular)
- Prevents uterine infections (pyometra) in females
- Lowers risk of prostate issues in males
- May help with behavioral issues like roaming and marking
Community Impact:
- Helps reduce the number of unwanted litters
- Decreases the number of animals in shelters
- Supports better overall animal welfare in the community
What to Expect Before & After Surgery
We know surgery can be stressful, so we focus on making the experience smooth and safe for both you and your pet.
Before Surgery:
- We'll perform a physical exam and recommend pre-surgical bloodwork, chest x-ray, and ECG (age dependent)
- You will receive a pre-surgical pain pack which includes Gabapentin and Cerenia (dogs only)
- Your pet will need to fast the night before and morning of the procedure
- Our team will walk you through the prep and answer any questions
During Surgery:
- All procedures are performed under general anesthesia
- We use monitoring equipment to help ensure your pet’s safety
- Pain management is provided before, during, and after surgery
After Surgery:
- Pets typically go home the same day
- You’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions and medications
- Our team is always available for follow-up questions or concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between spaying and neutering a dog?
Spaying and neutering generally have to do with gender. We neuter male dogs and we spay female dogs.
At what age should I spay or neuter my dog?
That is a conversation that you should have with your veterinarian. They know you and your dog the best. That decision really depends on the type of dog and the type of work the dog is going to do. For some of our more athletic dogs that are going to be doing agility or high-intensity work, we may delay a little bit. My personal preference is that the average age is usually somewhere around 9 months.
Are there health benefits to spaying and neutering your dog?
There has been a lot of research on that. We find that dogs, especially male dogs, when neutered decreases the risk of them running away. They tend to have less testosterone-related behaviors like marking things, humping things, mounting, and even sometimes a little bit of aggression, particularly towards other intact male dogs.
Are there any reasons not to spay or neuter your dog?
Another discussion to have with your regular veterinarian, but there are some dogs where they have other underlying medical conditions that we don't think we can safely anesthetize. Obviously, breeding dogs should not be spayed or neutered, at least until they're done breeding. Some show dogs are staying intact until their show days are over as well.
Are there any risks associated with spaying or neutering a dog?
There's always risks involved with anesthesia. All of our animals are monitored by a technician, including ECG, blood pressure, and temperature during surgery to decrease the risk of complications.
How should I prepare my dog for a spaying or neutering procedure?
We ask that you don't feed or give them water after 9:00pm the night before surgery. Also, if you are using a surgical recovery suit or an e-collar, we ask that you get them used to that, so it's one less thing that they have to stress out about after surgery.
What should I expect on the day of my dog’s surgery?
On the day of surgery, we ask that you drop off in the morning at around 8:30am. No food or water since the night before. Most of our guys will be sent home with medication–a pain medication that you give the night before surgery and the morning of surgery as well as an anti-nausea medication to be given the night before.
How long does the spaying or neutering procedure take?
That really depends. Every dog is a little bit different. Some of our shorter breeds, like our pity breeds, are fairly quick to spay. Some of our longer, leaner breeds, think your German Shepherds, your big labs, can take a little bit longer. So, the bigger the dog, usually the longer the procedure as well.
What is the recovery process like for a dog?
We do ask that they stay as calm and quiet for two weeks as possible. That's more important in the females than the males, but it is important in the males too. We usually recommend using either a surgical recovery suit or an e-collar to prevent licking. And remember, don't let their housemates lick at their incisions either.
Will spaying or neutering affect my dog's behavior?
Generally, they're a little cranky, a little tired for the first few days after surgery, and that's totally normal. But they usually do well and go back to normal within a couple of days.
Can my dog still go into heat after being spayed?
Generally, no. The way we do our spays here is that we remove both the ovaries and the uterus itself, so you don't see any more bleeding after they're spayed.
Can a pregnant dog be spayed?
Yes, a pregnant dog can be spayed. It is a little bit higher risk, but it is possible.
Will spaying or neutering make my dog gain weight?
The jury is still out on that one, but yes, we do think that in some cases, spaying and neutering can lead them to be a little bit chunkier than they would have been intact.
Are there any long-term health issues I should monitor after spaying or neutering?
We always recommend keeping your dogs at a lean weight, regardless of being intact or altered. It decreases some of the issues like arthritis that we'll see in our older dogs that we aren't sure if they're linked to spaying and neutering.
How much does spaying or neutering a dog typically cost?
That really depends by dog. Bigger dogs generally tend to be a little bit more expensive. Smaller dogs tend to be a little bit less, but that also depends if they have other things going on. So it's a big discussion you have to have with your regular veterinarian, but they can give you an estimate.
What should I do if my dog has complications after the surgery?
Talk to your veterinarian. If you have any questions about dogs and neutering, give us a call at (973) 691-1771, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.