At Rainbow Veterinary Hospital, we’re proud to save local lives with spay and neuter surgery for Burbank pets. After you adopt a new puppy, kitten, or adult animal, spaying and neutering is an important way to start a lifetime of responsible veterinary care. It goes hand in hand with vaccinations, microchipping, good dental hygiene, and regular check-ups as important preventative measures.

Responsible Dog and Cat Care

Overpopulation isn’t the only tragedy that this routine surgery prevents. Cancer, urinary infections, behavioral problems such as aggression, and even escape attempts also decrease when pets are spayed or neutered. Because sterilization gives every pet a better chance at living a long, healthy, and happy life, spaying and neutering is part of responsible dog and cat care in Burbank.

The procedure is so important because it prevents reproductive urges, fluctuating hormones, and breast, prostate, testicular, uterine, and ovarian cancer. When we neuter male dogs and cats, they lose the desire to reproduce and are less likely to become territorial, aggressive, or destructive as a result. Spayed females avoid a lifetime of painful and stressful heat cycles, cancer and uterine infection risks, and the physical toll of unwanted litters.

Before and After Your Spay or Neuter Procedure

When you bring your intact dog or cat to Rainbow Veterinary Hospital for their spay or neuter procedure, we will start by performing a comprehensive diagnostic exam. This allows us to make sure surgery is a good idea. Some of our criteria include:

  • Age: Your puppy or kitten should be at least 8 weeks old, but the surgery has the most preventative health benefits when we perform it before their first heat cycle
  • Health: Your pet should be have a health immune system, and no conditions that would increase risks associated with anesthesia or surgery
  • Species and breed: Spaying and neutering is important for dogs and cats of all breeds, but sometimes we need to take genetics into consideration as we strategize a safe surgery and smooth recovery period

If your dog or cat is ready to get spayed or neutered, we will develop a personalized plan for anesthesia and pain management. Sterilization is a routine operation that can be relatively pain-free, as long as we take your specific pet’s weight, age, breed, and body type into account.

In order to minimize risks as much as possible, we monitor each patient throughout their surgery. We will keep track of your dog or cat’s vital signs, including his or her blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate, with advanced equipment that allows us to detect and respond to changes immediately.

After your pet’s surgery, we will recommend at least two weeks of recovery with limited activity and close monitoring. Watch the incision site for signs of infection, such as swelling or discharge, and follow our pain management instructions closely.

Call us today to schedule your dog or cat’s surgery!