Spay and Neuter

Spay and Neuter in Crown Point, IN

When pets are spayed and neutered at the right time, this not only gives them a better chance at a healthier, longer life; it also benefits the community in which they live.

Cats can breed about 3 times a year, while dogs can breed twice a year. Uncontrolled breeding among dogs and cats leads to a large (and growing) stray population, which is unhealthy and unsafe for the animals involved. This leads to crowded shelters, which often have to euthanize otherwise healthy animals because they don’t have the space or resources to accommodate them.

With spay and neuter surgeries, we can keep the stray animal population down here in Crown Point and give shelters the help they need to find loving forever homes for dogs and cats.

Call (219) 267-1700 if you have questions about your pet’s spay/neuter or need advice regarding their post-op care.

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The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Pets

We recommend that all dogs and cats be spayed and neutered, preferably before reaching adulthood. Here are some of the most important ways spay and neuter surgeries benefit male and female dogs and cats:

Spaying (Females)

  • Eliminates the heat cycle for good
  • Prevents the development of ovarian and uterine cancer
  • Reduces the risk of mammary gland tumors
  • Prevents a serious infection of the uterus known as pyometra
  • Reduces or prevents entirely such behaviors as roaming and vocalizing

Neutering (Males)

  • Can prevent aggression stemming from high testosterone
  • Reduces or prevents roaming, urine marking/spraying, mounting
  • Prevents the development of testicular cancer
  • Reduces the risk of prostate issues

Additional Information

  • Appointments Required (Available Monday-Friday)
  • Pet should be at least 6 months of age and/or the appropriate weight (Spay/ Neuter)
  • Drop off time is between 6:30 am to 8:00 am with an appointment
  • Please allow at least a half-hour to discuss and sign all surgical authorizations with a trained technician.
  • Please do not allow the pet to eat or drink past 10 pm the evening before surgery
  • If your pet is in heat or pregnant the surgery can be done, but there is an additional charge
  • All pets must be current on the following vaccines and tests:
    • Rabies
    • Bordetella (within the last 6 months)
    • Negative fecal test (within the last year)
    • DHPP/DHLPP (dogs)
    • Influenza (dogs)
    • FVRCP (cats)
  • IV Catheter [included with surgery]
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) [Allows our veterinarians to catch any underlying issues that may cause complications for surgery]
    • Pre-Surgical Panel (For pets less than 5 years of age)
    • Comprehensive Plus Panel (For pets 5+ years of age)
  • Absorbable sutures [Fall out naturally and there is no need to come back for suture removal]
  • Elizabethan Collar (The Cone of Shame) [Prevents pet from licking the incision site and creating infections]
  • Microchip
  • Post-Operative Pain Management
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) [Evaluates cardiac function prior to surgery to determine if the patient is fit for anesthesia]
  • Chest X-Rays (strongly recommended for pets over 7 years) [Can identify underlying heart and lung disease]
  • Laser Therapy [Helps manage pain and inflammation to assist in the healing process]
  • Overnight Care Package [Includes additional pain injection, extended monitoring, complimentary overnight stay, and post-operative laser therapy]
  • Withhold all food and water until 8 am the day after surgery. This helps prevent any issues as they continue to recover from anesthesia. 
  • Limit any high activity such as running, climbing, or jumping for the next 14 days to allow your furry friend to fully recover. 
  • Leash walk only for the next 14 days, including in your own backyard. 
  • Our team will provide you with personalized care and medication instructions at check out! 
  • If you have chosen an e-collar, please make sure they are wearing it for the full two weeks. If they are having trouble eating or drinking out of their bowls, it is OK to remove it and supervise closely during meal time.

Common Myths About Spay and Neuter

There are several misconceptions about spaying and neutering still circulating today.

While there certainly are costs with every spay and neuter procedure, the overall cost is generally far less than that of raising a litter or paying for your pet’s cancer treatments. It’s a one-time payment, and will minimize all your pet’s reproductive risks.

There is no evidence supporting this claim. In fact, going through their heat cycle and having a litter is likely to increase your pet’s chances of getting cancer later. We recommend spaying dogs and cats before they have their first heat cycle, because this lowers their cancer risks considerably. Mammary gland tumors have a high rate of malignancy in cats, and a 50% malignancy rate in dogs.

Your pet’s metabolism will slow down when they reach adulthood, but spaying and neutering do not contribute to obesity in pets. Weight gain is usually the result of overfeeding/overindulging and not keeping your pet active. As long as they’re on a balanced diet and getting regular exercise, their weight should stay in a healthy range.