Spaying (the technical term is ovariohysterectomy or OHE) is performed on female cats and dogs as a means of population control as well as to protect dogs from breast cancer and uterine disease.

Unspayed female dogs and cats tend to attract male dogs and cats (respectively) from many miles around when they are in season. Dogs usually enter into heat sometime after 6 months of age, and will come into heat twice yearly for almost all of their lives. The heat period lasts three weeks.

Female cats exhibit a behavioral estrus in which they will make vocalizations such as howling, they will be hyperactive and roll over onto their backs and raise their tail high when you pet them over their pelvis. You may find a number of male cats in your neighborhood attracted to your house, and some of them may spray urine on your windows to claim your female kitty as their property.

It is recommended that if your female dog or cat is not intended for breeding purposes that you spay it shortly after it turns 6 months of age, just as it is reaching sexual maturity. Studies have shown that dogs who are not spayed have a very high risk of getting breast cancer later on in life. Spaying early (before 2 years of age) reduces thisrisk to nearly zero. Unspayed female dogs are at risk of unwanted pregnancies and also of getting a very serious medical condition called Pyometra which could be life threatening and require an emergency OHE (spay) to save your dog’s life.

Neutering is the removal of the male’s testicles. Boulder’s Natural Animal recommends that male dogs and cats not intended for breeding purposes be neutered by 6-12 months of age. This will help eliminate overpopulation as well as abate any potential injuries that may be incurred by male dogs (and cats) while out trying to breed with a female in heat. Un-neutered male dogs and cats are the most commonly admitted patient to animal ERs around the world, just simply because of their male-driven reproductive behavior.

Some male dogs and cats will have overly aggressive behavior as a result of the testosterone in their systems. Neutering can help reduce or eliminate that problem.

Male cats that have not been neutered oftentimes will spray urine in your house as a means of claiming their territory or turf. Neutering a male cat that sprays will eliminate that behavior in 70% of all kitties.

At Boulder’s Natural Animal, very safe anesthesia is used for this procedure, along with cardiac monitoring and blood pressure monitoring. Prior to every surgery a blood test is required. Every animal has an intravenous catheter and all patients are placed on a warm water circulation blanket to keep their core body temperature at a safe level during the procedure.

Usually spaying and neutering are considered an outpatient procedure which means that you would bring your dog in first thing in the morning after a 12 hour food fast (water is OK), and pick it up at the end of the day. Absorb-able buried sutures are used and reduces substantially the risk of post operative complications. Herbal supplements are also dispensed both before and after surgery to reduce inter-operative hemorrhage and to speed up the postoperative wound healing.

Post surgical patients are seen for a no charge follow-up anytime within the first 2 weeks following surgery. Supplies and tests run during these complementary office visits will be charged at their normal rate. This is true for all surgery and dental work at Boulder’s Natural Animal.

Please call Boulder’s Natural Animal to set an appointment or with any questions you may have regarding these procedures.