Spaying and Neutering

Spay and neuter procedures are a very common and routine surgery that helps keep your pet safe while assisting with population control. Female cats and dogs get spayed, whereas male cats and dogs get neutered. While both procedures prevent the pet from having kittens/puppies respectively, there are a few key differences. 

What is a spay and what are the benefits?

At Ambleside Animal Hospital, we are proud to offer two types of spay procedures! Cats and small dogs (under 15kgs) are limited to getting a traditional spay, this procedure involves removing both ovaries and the uterus. For dogs over 15kg, we offer laparoscopic spays! This involves two small incisions that allow our doctors to visualize the internal organ structure using a small probe while performing the operation simultaneously. We strongly advise you spay your pet as soon as possible, this helps to reduce unwanted behaviours, prevent certain hormone related ailments, and above all helps reduce the number of stray animals in shelters.

We recommend your pet be spayed any time after 6 months, ideally before the first heat cycle. If your pet has already gone through her first heat cycle, the spay will be considered ‘mature’ as the organs are larger,
and the procedure will require more time and materials. If you are unsure if your pet has undergone heat, our doctors will be able to tell during the surgery. After a heat cycle, your pet will need to wait 4-6 weeks before we are able to perform her spay. Please let us know if you have any questions about this timeframe. 

What is a neuter and what are the benefits?

Neutering is the equivalent of a spay but for male dogs and cats. By removing the testes, your pet will be at a decreased chance for unwanted behaviors (humping in dogs, spraying and marking in cats), hormone related ailments, and will help to reduce the number of stray animals in shelters. Your pet can be neutered any time after the age of 6 months, but we recommend getting him neutered before the age of 12 months.