Spaying and Neutering for Pets

Spaying or neutering your pet can provide health benefits beyond preventing them from reproducing or increasing the number of unwanted pets in the shelter system. The decision to spay or neuter your pet is a personal one that our veterinary team can support you with. We'll determine the perfect time to perform the procedure ensuring your pet's safety.

What's the difference between spay and neuter?

Spaying your pet means removing a female pet's reproductive organs, while neutering refers to the procedure that's done for males. Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia in our surgical suite, stopping your pet's ability to reproduce. For female pets, we remove their ovaries and uterus, while for male pets, we remove both testicles and their associated structures. If you have questions about the procedure, please contact us at 604-522-3344.

When should I schedule the procedure?

Since timing can vary due to the pet's specific circumstances, owners should discuss the procedure with our veterinarians. Several factors can influence the timing of spaying and neutering. For example, larger dogs tend to mature a little later than their smaller ones, so we recommend the procedure a bit later. Our general practice is to spay female pets before their first heat. The timing varies, but will usually occur somewhere between 5-10 months of age. Spaying before the first heat greatly reduces the risk of your pet developing mammary tumours and cancers. In male dogs, adult size is an important factor. Small and medium male dogs are generally neutered earlier – around 6 months of age – while it may be recommended to wait until a giant breed puppy is around 10-12 months before neutering. In all cases, it is very important to bring your pets in for a pre-spay/neuter examination to ensure there are no underlying health issues that may cause problems in the operating room.

What are the pros of the procedure?

Animal shelters around the country are filled with abandoned pets. Spaying and neutering reduce the number of unwanted litters, which, in turn, helps reduce the number of unwanted pets or stay animals that enter shelters or rescues. These procedures also have specific health benefits that can help your pets live healthier, longer lives. Done at the correct time, they can also help reduce unwanted behavioural issues. Spaying your pets can help prevent serious health problems including mammary cancer and pyometra, a potentially life-threatening uterine infection. Neutering males helps prevent the development of testicular cancer, and neutered males are typically less aggressive and less likely to stray from home. At Central City Animal Clinic, we believe the pros of spaying and neutering greatly outweigh the cons.