Spay & Neuter

Spay and Neuter Services in St. John, Indiana

One of the most important steps in your pet’s development is their spay or neuter surgery. Cat and dog spay and neuter surgery is something our veterinarians at Coyne Veterinary Center in St. John  recommend for all pets with the following goals in mind:

  • To prevent unexpected pregnancies and unwanted litters
  • To ensure there are fewer stray animals on the streets, and fewer shelter animals being needlessly euthanized
  • Minimizing certain health risks and preventing others
  • Reducing or preventing destructive behaviors

In short, spaying and neutering dogs and cats saves lives and makes them better. Also, you can expect to have a more peaceful, harmonious relationship with your pet.

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How Spaying/Neutering is Better for Your Pet’s Health

Dogs and cats can experience a variety of benefits for the short term and long term following their spay/neuter surgery, including:

Females

  • Less risk for mammary gland tumors, which have a 50% chance of malignancy in dogs and a staggering 85% chance of malignancy in cats
  • No risk for ovarian or uterine cancer
  • No risk of pyometra, a major infection of the uterus
  • Less tendency to go roaming and looking for a mate
  • No heat cycle

Males

  • No risk for testicular tumors
  • Less risk for diseases of the prostate
  • Improved behavior overall–less chance for aggression, mounting, and urine marking or spraying; calmer around females
  • Less tendency to want to go roaming and looking for a mate

Cat and Dog Spay and Neuter Services in St. John, Indiana

  • 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
    • Distemper
    • Bordetella (within the last 6 months)
    • Fecal (negative within the last year)
    • Influenza
  • 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.

Why Dogs and Cats Need to be Spayed and Neutered at the Right Time

Spay and neuter surgeries for St. John, IN, dogs and cats are most beneficial when they are done at the right time. So what is the right time?

First, every pet is different–depending on their breed and health/medical history, the timing can vary. However, in most cases, we recommend spaying/neutering cats around 6 months if they are the appropriate weight, and dogs between 6-12 months. Small and medium-sized dogs can usually be safely spayed/neutered at 6 months, but large and extra-large breeds typically have to wait longer. This is because larger breeds have a slower growth rate, which is affected by their hormones. Spaying/neutering too soon can impact their joint development.

Our Animal Hospital in St. John, IN, is Here to Help

All in all, you and your veterinarian will need to decide on the time that is best for your pet. Call our animal hospital in St. John, IN, at (219) 627-3264 to find out more.