Spay and Neuter

Spay and Neuter Your Pets With Our Local Veterinarian

Rush Animal Care Clinic wants you to know that spay or neutering your pet is a good choice to prolong their health. It is a surgical procedure that removes the reproductive organs of your male or female pet. Your pet will be under general anesthesia and this is a safe and effective procedure.

Kittens playing outside in Johnston, IA.

What is Spay and Neuter?

After the operation, female cats and dogs are unable to reproduce and it eliminates the breeding and heat cycle. Male dogs and cats are unable to reproduce and it removes the breeding cycle. Every year hundreds of cats and dogs are born and do not find homes. Having your cat or dog spayed and neutered stops the cycle of homelessness for pets. Homelessness results in many stray dogs and cats being euthanized.

These procedures do not have any effect on your dog or cat's ability to play, eat, work or hunt. It protects your pet from serious health issues later in life.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

Our veterinarian at our Johnston clinic wants you to know there are many benefits to spaying and neutering your pet. Your pet will live a healthier, longer life. It reduces the likelihood of cancer, and reproductive illness in dogs and cats. Your pet won't go into heat and this prevents some of the unpleasant behaviors that occur. These behaviors are urinating, fights, marking their territory, howling, and roaming. it is cost effective because you don't have to care for a litter of kittens or puppies. These procedures do not cause your pet to become overweight--you may need to adjust the calorie intake because of the change in the metabolism.

When Should You Spay or Neuter Your Pet

The best time for you to spay or neuter your dog is between six to seven months old.  Older dogs can have the procedure, but, there is a risk of complications due to their age or health concerns. Kittens can be spayed or neutered at 5-6 months of age. Your kitten should be healthy. Our vet recommends having the procedure done before your cat reaches 7 months. This is to avoid the heat cycle. The current guidelines for large and giant breed dogs (those that will be more than 50 pounds at adult weight) are to do the spay or neuter closer to 1 year of age.  This has to do with trying to protect the ligaments around the knee joints.  In the females, we hope to decrease the chance of too much skin folding around the vulva.  If you do not have a fenced-in yard, or if you have young children that may be less attentive to a dog in heat (they like to escape out the door!), we strongly advise doing the procedure at 6 months of age. 

Before surgery we will give you advice on how to prepare your pet for the surgery. After surgery we may provide your pet with medications for pain if we feel it is necessary. When your pet arrives home they should have a quiet comfortable place to recover. Don't bathe your pet for several days and keep it from licking or scratching the wound. Check the incision site daily and call us if complications arise.  Your dog or cat will have received pain medication  prior to the procedure, and local anesthetic around the incision site (this will keep the area more comfortable for several hours). 

Contact Our Veterinary Clinic to Schedule An Appointment Today!

It’s important to spay or neuter your pet to protect their health. We are located near Urbandale and want to service customers in the surrounding communities. Call Rush Animal Care Clinic today to make an appointment at (515) 270-2240.


Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday

7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Tuesday

7:30 am - 6:30 pm

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

7:30 am - 6:30 pm

Friday

7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Saturday

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Monday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday
7:30 am - 6:30 pm
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
7:30 am - 6:30 pm
Friday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

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