Dog Neutering and Spaying in Albuquerque

At Petroglyph Animal Hospital, we ensure your canine companions are ready for their dog neutering and spaying in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho. We realize these procedures are often your dog’s first surgery and a source of worry and concern for many pet parents.

Trust that our team of experienced and compassionate veterinarians performing these procedures take every precaution to ensure your dog is ready for surgery and remains as comfortable as possible.

What Do Dog Neutering And Spaying Surgeries Involve

These types of procedures involve removing a dog’s reproductive organs. While canine spay and neuter surgeries differ on how these organs are removed, our veterinarians ensure these procedures are completed safely and effectively.

Neuter Procedures

Neutering involves removing the testicles of male dogs. For most, a small incision is made in their scrotum to allow the veterinarian to remove both testicles.

A small percentage of dogs retain one or both testicles in their abdomen, causing cryptorchidism. For these dogs, the veterinarian will make a small incision in their abdomen to remove the testicle or testicles.

Neuter surgeries are typically shorter than spay surgeries. Once the surgery is over, our vet clinic monitors your dog to ensure they safely recover from anesthesia before going home.

Spay Procedures

Spaying involves removing the ovaries and uterus of female dogs. Our highly skilled veterinarians at Petroglyph Animal Hospital make the tiniest incisions into the abdomen, ensuring the abdominal muscles are bypassed. This causes the least amount of trauma for your dog and often leads to a faster recovery.

Spay surgeries are more invasive than neuters, with longer surgery times depending on your dog’s size and age.

Post Operation

Before taking your dog home, our veterinarians performing dog neutering and spaying will ensure you receive full instructions for post-operative care.

It’s normal for your dog to feel tired once you get them home. Let them rest, but if they aren’t easily woken or are overly sleepy 24 hours later, contact us immediately.

Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to help manage pain once you get home. If you’re unfamiliar with administering these medications safely, we can show you how. Never give dogs human medications.

Do your best to limit your dog’s exercise and activities, such as running and jumping, for 10-14 days. This keeps stitches in place while helping the surgical site to remain closed.

All our dog neutering and spaying procedures require that your dog wears an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) for at least 10-14 days. This keeps them from licking the surgical site and having it open or become infected.

Your veterinarian may have other instructions for you, but overall, ensure your dog eats, drinks, and goes to the bathroom normally. If your dog’s behavior changes or you see redness or oozing at the surgical site, contact our animal hospital immediately.

Why Should I Neuter or Spay My Dog?

Neutering and spaying your dog has numerous benefits, including helping them live longer and healthier lives. While many pet parents don’t want their canine companions to experience pain, knowing the benefits should help ease your mind.

Reducing Shelter and Homeless Populations

New Mexico’s animal shelters are usually overflowing with dogs and puppies. Worst yet, many more dogs are left to fend for themselves living on the streets.

Neutering and spaying your dog ensures fewer dogs end up in shelters and on the streets.

Lowering Disease Risks

For male dogs, removing their testicles eliminates their chances of getting testicular cancer. Neutering also reduces the risk of your dog developing inflammation and related diseases of the prostate and perianal region.

For females, removing the uterus eliminates their chances of developing pyometra. Pyometra is a uterine infection that is often fatal. Spaying also reduces the risk of your dog developing mammary cancer, where 50% of mammary tumors are malignant.

Minimizing Hormone-Related Behaviors

Hormones can cause dogs to display certain behaviors. They may run away or roam more to look for mates. They may also engage in urine marking and act aggressively toward same-sexed dogs.

While neutering may reduce these behaviors, it’s essential to know that your dog’s behaviors are a combination of various factors:

Genetics
Environment
Training
Socialization

If your dog still engages in roaming, urine marking, or acts aggressively after surgery, these behaviors won’t be hormone-related. Never hesitate to contact our animal hospital for guidance regarding your dog’s behaviors.

Are There Reasons Not to Neuter or Spay My Dog?

Yes, and knowing the risks of these procedures is vital.

Maturity

Our veterinarians performing dog neutering and spaying proactively ensure your dog has matured before recommending these surgeries. Spays and neuters of immature dogs can increase the risk of developing the following cancers:

Lymphoma
Osteosarcoma
Mast cell tumors
Cardiac tumors

Orthopedic issues like cruciate ligament ruptures and hip and elbow dysplasia can occur when bones and joints haven’t completely developed. Female dogs may also develop urinary infections and urinary incontinence.

Once your dog matures, the risks of developing these diseases and conditions significantly reduce, causing the benefits of spaying and neutering to outweigh these risks.

Genetics

Genetics is another factor to consider when deciding to spay or neuter your dog. Our veterinarians will provide you with all the considerations to account for to help you make the best choices for your dog. We’ll never recommend this surgery until you have all the information available to make an informed decision.

Providing Safe and Effective Dog Neutering and Spaying in Albuquerque

At Petroglyph Animal Hospital, we strive to provide high-quality care and medicine to every pet with every procedure. We treat and care for all your animals like they’re our own, and we’re always here to answer questions, offer advice, and, of course, care for your pets.