Spay & Neuter
We offer high-quality spay and neuter services to our community.
By simply decreasing the number of unintended litters of puppies and kittens, most of which would have lived without a loving family and home, we will make a difference in the lives of thousands of our animal companions.
We have partnered with the City of Lake Forest to offer discounts on spaying and neutering pets in our community. Please click the link below for more information and to apply.
Responsible Pet Ownership | Lake Forest, CA – Official Website
Book Spay & Neutering Services
Please call us at 949-837-7660 to book a neuter/spay appointment. Do not book this type of appointment online.
Before You Arrive For Pet Spaying & Neutering
We will email surgery registration forms before your visit; please complete them and bring them to your surgery appointment. This will significantly decrease the time spent on the necessary paperwork at the clinic in the morning. Please allow 20-30 minutes for check-in on the day of surgery.
Please withhold your pet’s food after 10 pm the night before surgery to help ensure an empty stomach. Having water available until morning is acceptable, but please restrict access to water as soon as you awaken in the morning.
We will be discussing the option to do pre-anesthetic blood testing for your pet at check-in. Our staff will share with you the importance of doing these blood tests to evaluate the overall health and function of the internal organs responsible for processing the anesthesia and medications. Although there are always inherent risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, these tests can help detect problems that may alter anesthetic protocols or even re-evaluate your pet as a candidate for surgery and reduce the risk factors involved. These tests are one way to look at your pet’s internal health. Please see the pricing and services page for more detailed information on the tests available and pet recommendations.
We would like to help identify specific conditions prior to surgery that may need attention during your pet’s procedure if indicated. For example:
- Retained deciduous teeth – this is when the baby teeth remain, and the adult teeth are already coming in, usually around 4-7 months. You will see both teeth present adjacent to each other. The canine teeth (fang teeth) are most commonly affected. This condition is more common in toy and small breeds.
- Cryptorchid (in males) – this is when one or both of the testicles are not present in the scrotum. You will find only one or no testicles present in the scrotum when you look (or feel) for them. Males that are cryptorchid will need an exam with the doctor prior to surgery, and surgery would be scheduled on a different day. (Surgery will not be part of Simply Spay and Neuter of OC)
- Umbilical (belly button) hernias – this will present as a “lump or bump” at the belly button. The size can vary; small as a pea or as large as a golf ball (or even bigger). Some, if small enough, can be insignificant and require no treatment, and others will be large enough to recommend surgical repair. Doing so at the time of the spay/neuter procedure is very common since your pet is already undergoing anesthesia.
- This list is not complete but identifies a few of the conditions more commonly found on physical exams. We may be able to help remedy the above, as well as other situations that may be present, so please mention to the staff in the morning if you have questions regarding your pet’s conditions. There will never be procedures performed or added fees without your knowledge and authorization.
FAQs
Are the Veterinarians & Staff licensed and experienced?
Our doctors are fully-licensed veterinarians in California. The clinic staff has licensed Registered Veterinary Technicians as well as trained Animal Health Technicians.
At what age and how frequently will my dog or cat go into heat?
Dogs start their heat cycles between the ages of 8-12 months average, however, some may start as early as 6 months or as late as 18-24 months. Smaller breeds tend to start heat cycles earlier than larger breeds. Dogs will go into heat about every 6 months and will last about 2 weeks (vary from 1-3 weeks).
Cats generally start heat cycles as young as 6 months of age. They are ‘seasonally polyestrous’ meaning they will go into heat a multitude of times during the spring/summer and very little during late fall and winter (but still possible). Cats just seem to be in heat all the time!
Can litter mates get pregnant?
Yes, litter mates can get pregnant, which is why it is important to spay/neuter your pets.
Does my pet have to be current on its vaccines in order to have surgery?
Yes, we ask that your pet’s vaccines be current or are going to be updated on the day of surgery.
Will my pet be required to wear one of those big round E-collars?
It is highly recommended to place an E-collar on your pet during the recovery and healing time post-surgery. These collars serve as protection to prevent self-trauma from pet’s licking and chewing at their own incisions. This may cause redness, swelling, infection and most importantly, dehiscence (breaking open) of the incision, the latter of which can be a very serious, life-threatening complication and warrant emergency medical care. This is a more serious situation in females, as they have had abdominal incisions for their surgeries. We will strongly urge all owners, but especially those with females, to purchase an E-collar ($12) to help prevent this situation. Oftentimes, the wait and see approach does not work in this case, as a significant amount of damage can occur in a very short time.
Is it better to let my dog have one litter of puppies before getting her spayed?
No. There is no study or evidence to support the notion that having a litter of puppies or kittens will benefit the physical health or emotional well being of your pet. In fact, evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat cycles have significantly reduced the risk of mammary cancers.
How long after my dog/cat has puppies/kittens can she be spayed?
We recommend waiting 2 weeks after weaning the puppies or kittens (so 8-10 weeks after puppies/kittens are born) for dog or cat spaying. The uterus and mammary glands will have the time to shrink back toward normal.
Will there be stitches that will need to be removed?
The surgeon may place external skin stitches. However, sometimes, only internal absorbable sutures are used. This will depend on a case by case basis and the surgeon will determine what is best for each case. If skin stitches are placed, the pet will need to come back in 10-14 days for removal. A receptionist will inform you on release whether external stitches were placed.
If my pet becomes “ill” in the days just before his/her surgery, should I call and cancel?
Yes, please give us a call at (949) 837-7660 and ask to speak to a technician and a recommendation will be made based on your individual condition. It is always better to ask ahead of time, as being sick or ill could increase the potential for anesthetic/surgical complications and may warrant rescheduling surgery until your pet is feeling well again.
