If you are interested in neutering your male dog/cat or if you have recently scheduled the procedure with our hospital, please read the following information. We want you to be informed about the surgical procedure, post-operative recovery period and associated charges to facilitate a smooth and speedy drop-off.

There is NO reason NOT to neuter your dog or cat if their value to you is as a family pet. People who make the decision not to neuter their dog or cat are willing to accept the risks and behavioral characteristics of intact males. Fighting, urine spraying/marking, roaming and dominant behaviors are common in many male dogs and cats. These are typically behaviors people find undesirable for a family pet.

THE NEUTERING PROCESS
Neutering a dog or cat starts with a physical exam. We must feel comfortable that the pet is a candidate for a surgical procedure. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork confirms that the major organ systems involved in elimination of the anesthetic drugs are capable of doing so. Poor nutrition, intestinal or external parasites and chronic diseases affect a pet's ability to tolerate anesthesia. The exam and laboratory testing can be completed in advance or the day of the scheduled procedure.

After the pet is admitted, an injection is given for relaxation. This helps prepare your dog or cat for general anesthesia. Another injection is give for complete sedation so the airway can be maintained throughout the procedure. A small incision just in front of the scrotum facilitates the removal of both testicles. We use a surgical laser which cauterizes blood vessels and nerve endings. This translates to less bleeding (sometimes no bleeding!) and less pain for your pet. Cat neuters are very quick and done under a very short acting intravenous anesthetic. Recovery is very quick and no sutures are needed. Our hope is that pet owners will educate themselves before scheduling a neuter and understand how to make the procedure and recovery easier for their dog or cat.

Please note that when admitted you may need to discuss the cost of additional items such as vaccinations, ResQ microchip, fecal testing, heartworm testing, feline leukemia and FIV testing. These are not included in the price of the neuter and may not have been included in the price that you were quoted. All canine vaccinations or feline vaccinations must be up-to-date before being admitted for surgery.

If you would like an EXACT quote, please call our office at (816) 761-5071. We are here to answer any questions regarding your pet's upcoming surgery. Please ask! Also, please view the helpful surgery information section for additional questions/answers.

Please allow 5-15 minutes for the check-in process when your pet is dropped off. You may have a quicker check-in if you have filled out and brought with you the Hospital Authorization Form.