It is our mission to provide our clients with service excellence and superior patient care in order to maintain the highest quality of life for their pets.
Neutering (Castrating) your puppy or kitten is a routine procedure in which the testicles are removed. Unlike some think, castrating does not decrease hunting ability. We like to perform this procedure around 6-8 months of age.
Since the testes are a source of hormones, removing them lessens the incidents of testicular cancer, dominance aggression, and roaming.
The prostate gland, under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog's life. In old age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection, which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance, thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. Inappropriate mounting is also eliminated in 70% of neutered dogs.
Pre-Surgery Preparation:
1. Your pet must be up to date on his vaccinations.
2. Do not feed your pet after 10pm the night before surgery.
3. Usually in males stitches do not need to be removed. In dogs, sutures are put in under the skin that absorb. In cats, no external stitches are needed. 4. If you notice any abnormal swelling or discharge from the incision site or any other questions or problems with your pets health please call us right away.
Spaying Your Puppy or Kitten
Ovariohysterectomy is the medical term for spaying a female dog or cat. In this procedure the female's ovaries and uterus are removed so that she is sterile. This procedure is done in animals around 5-6 months of age. Although it may be done in older animals, there are less complications and fewer risks in younger pets. Also, it is recommended that your puppy or kitten is spayed before she goes into her first heat cycle. Spaying an animal in heat poses more complications and risks because the blood vessels to the uterus are enlarged and can bleed much more. It can also be done after she has been in heat, but with each heat cycle your pet goes through the incidence of mammary cancer increases later in life. It is healthier for your pet to be spayed since it eliminates the risk of having uterine cancer, pyometra (an infection of the uterus), or becoming pregnant.
Even though a spay is a routine surgery which veterinarians do each and every day, it is still considered a major abdominal surgery. During the procedure your pet will be under safe general anesthesia. Anesthesia consists of an intravenous injection of anesthetic drugs followed by intubation and Isoflurane and oxygen inhalant anesthetic agents. While your pet is comfortably sleeping, her heart rate, respiratory rate, color, and vitals are monitored. After the surgical site is shaved, it will be surgically scrubbed and covered with sterile drapes. After the procedure is finished your pet will receive an injection for pain management.
Pre-Surgery Preparation:
1. Your pet must be up to date on her vaccinations.
2. Do not feed your pet after 10pm the night before surgery.
3. Your dog or cat?s activities should be restricted for 5-7 days after the surgery. Please no running, jumping or wild play.
4. If you notice any abnormal swelling or discharge from the incision site or any other questions or problems with your pets health please call us right away.
Our Core Values We take pride in our core values and strive to provide outstanding veterinary care. Service Excellence • Compassion • Trustworthiness Kaizen (Continual Improvement) • Integrity • Teamwork
Dunlap Veterinary Clinic, P.C. 4620 W. Cedar Hills Drive Dunlap, IL. 61525 Phone: (309) 243-7784 Fax: (309) 243-5495