Cost of Spaying a Dog at PetSmart
The cost of having your dog spayed at PetSmart will vary depending on your dog’s age and weight. If your dog is under 6 months old, it will cost about $410. For a dog that is over 6 months old and under 50 pounds, your cost will be around $472, and if your dog is over 6 months old and over 50 pounds, your cost will be around $541. It is important to note that PetSmart does not perform spaying walk-in services on site. If you would like to have your dog spayed, you will need to make an appointment and PetSmart will be able to find a hospital that is located near you that can perform the procedure. Their partner, Banfield Pet Hospitals, is the company that will actually provide spaying services. When you visit the PetSmart website, it redirects you to their page for more information on their spaying services and guides you on where to locate your nearest facility.
What Are Spaying and Neutering?
Spaying and neutering are both used to describe a surgery that is meant to prevent animals from being able to reproduce. Spaying refers to the procedure that is done on females, while neutering is used to describe the procedure on males. Pet owners opt to have their pets spayed or neutered in order to help prevent instances of pregnancies in their animals. This can help keep the dog healthy as well as prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce the number of stray dogs across the country.
Benefits of Having Your Dog Spayed
The benefits of having your dog spayed go far beyond preventing unwanted pregnancies. If you have your female puppy spayed before she enters her first heat cycle, which typically happens around 6 months old, it can help lower the risk of certain cancers such as uterine, mammary, or ovarian cancer. Having your dog spayed can also help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or any issues that your dog can run into during pregnancy. When it comes to male dogs, neutering can help reduce the risk of your dog developing testicular cancer. It can also lower the risk of prostate disease and other related health issues. It is normally recommended that male dogs are neutered between the ages of 4 and 6 months old. This will ensure that the dog has an easier time recovering. Having your dog spayed or neutered helps reduce the number of stray dogs that are without families throughout the country.
Risks of Having Your Dog Spayed
For most healthy female dogs, there is little risk involved with having them spayed. Although the best age for having your dog spayed is argued upon by some, many veterinarians will suggest waiting until your dog has gone through puberty—especially if it is a giant dog breed. There is a risk that some complications can occur in female dogs that have underlying health issues prior to being spayed. Also, the process of undergoing anesthesia presents a small risk but is typically considered to be safe with the advancements in modern technology. Generally speaking, the younger and healthier your dog is before undergoing surgery for spaying, the lower the risk involved.
How Does Spaying Work?
A spaying procedure is also known as an ovariohysterectomy. It involves the removal of a puppy’s Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus. Sometimes, a puppy’s pre-procedure test results may show that the puppy is not ready to have the surgery done and will require additional testing. In some cases, the test results may prevent the puppy from having the procedure done altogether. A veterinarian team will help you prepare for your dog’s procedure and will be able to answer any questions or concerns that you may have prior to the surgery. They will also be there to guide you through the proper care of your dog during its recovery.
Are There Any Low-Cost Spaying Programs?
If you are looking for a low-cost option when it comes to spaying surgery, there are a few options available. There are many organizations that can help out with the cost of having your dog spayed. They offer discounts or options that are low-cost to help reduce the price of the procedure. In some cases, there are even grants that are available that can help reduce the cost for dogs that are service animals and ones that are owned by families on a low income. In order to find these low-cost options, be sure to reach out to your local animal shelter or humane society before you start the process of getting your dog’s procedure. They can give you recommendations and point you to the programs that offer low-cost options near you.
What to Expect Before and After Your Dog’s Surgery
The recovery process for dogs that have been spayed can last up to two weeks. During this time there are a few things that should be expected. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you can expect before and after your dog has been spayed: There is a chance that you might be instructed by your veterinarian to not feed your dog on the day that it will be having the surgery. You can expect that your dog will be sore afterward and will likely not be as active or energetic as it usually is. This is completely normal as your dog recovers. There may also be some soreness at the site of the incision. If your dog attempts to remain active after the surgery, you may want to discourage the activity (no running or jumping). This is to allow your dog to have enough time to heal without aggravating the incision area and prolonging any soreness from the surgery. It is also advised that you regularly check the incision area to make sure that your dog is on track to healing and that the area has not become infected. If you notice that the incision site is not healing correctly or looks infected, you should get in touch with your veterinarian right away so that your dog can receive further care. You’ll also want to provide a safe, comfortable place for your dog to heal and get plenty of rest, like a dog cave bed or blanket. Limit any activity that would be too strenuous for your dog, like climbing stairs, jumping up on furniture, or going for long walks. If you have any concerns about your dog’s healing process, you should get in touch with your veterinarian so that they can assist your dog on its road to recovery.
Overall
Deciding to have your dog spayed is a big decision. There are a lot of things to consider and a lot of information available on the subject. All in all, having your dog spayed is a safe procedure in most cases, and if your veterinarian has any concerns about your dog’s readiness, the procedure will be delayed. The benefits of spaying a dog include the reduction of the chances of developing certain cancers, the reduction of the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, and the limitation of overpopulation of stray dogs without homes.
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