Welcoming new pets & pet parents to our practice!

You want the best for your pet's health, especially when you're considering spaying or neutering them. From our top quality veterinary care, to our compassionate and loving team, at West Denver Veterinary Hospital & Wellness, exceptional care is the standard we hold ourselves to for our neighbors in the Wheat Ridge community.

We need to meet you and make sure your pet has everything they need for a successful spay or neuter procedure. Give us a call or book online to schedule an exam today!

At what age should I consider spaying or neutering my dog or cat?

Cats

• Male (weighing at least 2 lbs/0.9kg)
  • Neutering male cats before they turn 5 months old can substantially reduce or eliminate male territorial marking, fighting, and roaming.
• Female (weighing at least 2 lbs/0.9kg)
  • Neutering female cats before they turn 5 months old can eliminate behaviors displayed when in heat and unwanted pregnancies.

Dogs

• Male
  • Smaller dogs (less than 45 lbs when fully grown): neuter at 6 months old
  • Larger dogs (more than 45 lbs/20 kg when fully grown): neuter after growth stops around 9-15 months old
• Female
  • Smaller dogs (less than 45 lbs when fully grown): spay before first heat cycle (around 5-6 months old)
  • Larger dogs (more than 45 lbs/20 kg when fully grown): spay between 5-15 months old

*There are a lot of factors to be considered when choosing the best age to spay or neuter your individual pet and these should be discussed with our veterinarians at your pets first exam.

What to Expect When Spaying/Neutering Your Pet

Pre-Surgery Exam

When you call or book your appointment online, you will schedule a wellness check for your pet. At that appointment, you will discuss spaying or neutering your pet. If you decide that it is the right time for them to have this procedure, our team will provide you with pre-surgery instructions (such as potentially advising you to withhold food and water from your pet the night before their surgery to minimize risks).

Surgery Day

Please bring your pet in at their scheduled time on the day of their spay or neuter surgery so we can get everything set up for their procedure. Our surgical team will gently prepare your pet by shaving a small area on their pelvic/abdominal region and/or their legs. After their surgery, we’ll closely monitor your dog or cat to ensure they are completely comfortable and ready to head home with you.

Post-Operative Care

When you pick up your pet, they may still be a bit sleepy from the anesthesia. Our team will sit down with you to carefully discuss aftercare and give you detailed post-operative instructions to help at home. To support your pet’s recovery, we may provide a protective collar or other method to keep them from bothering their surgery site. While at home, we suggest keeping your pet calm and restricting activities (like running or jumping) for the next few days. If an issue arises, please do not hesitate to contact our West Denver Veterinary Hospital & Wellness team - we are here to help make the process as smooth as possible!