If you have a puppy or kitten that needs to be neutered, you may be nervous about how it will go! Furbaby surgeries can be scary, but we want to help. To clear up any confusion, let’s explain your male pet’s surgical procedure.

Step 1: Your pet is placed under anesthesia

Neuter surgeries are extremely fast in cats, as long as both testicles have descended into the scrotum, but canine neuters take longer. Both species are anesthetized to ensure they remain pain-free and unconscious throughout the procedure. 

Step 2: Your pet’s surgical site is prepared

In dogs, an incision is made in front of the scrotum, and both testicles are pushed through this single incision and removed. One incision is made over each testicle in the scrotum in cats, so the cat and dog incision areas look different. Dogs are shaved to remove hair from the surgical site, while cat hair is generally plucked to avoid razor burn. Once the hair is removed, the site is scrubbed with a surgical antiseptic. 

Step 3: Our veterinarian removes the testicles

Next, our veterinarian will remove each testicle, ligating the spermatic cord to ensure no bleeding occurs. In large dogs, the scrotum may also be removed to prevent a postoperative scrotal hematoma, which can happen when the pet is too active after surgery, and the empty scrotum fills with blood. Generally, the scrotum is left in the pet.

Step 4: Our veterinarian closes the incision in dogs

In the final step, a neuter surgery again differs in dogs versus cats. The dog’s single incision is sutured closed, whereas the cat’s double incisions are typically left open or maybe closed with tissue glue, so suture removal is not required. 

Step 5: Your pet recovers from anesthesia

Male pets are often awake and ready to go home only hours after surgery because their procedure is less invasive than females. We closely monitor your pet for pain after their surgery and anesthesia until they are fully recovered and ready to go home with you.

Are you still unsure about your pet’s neuter? Give us a call!