FAQs
WHY ARE YOUR PRICES LESS THAN MY VET’S?
SpayToday is a non-profit organization with the goal of eliminating euthanasia as a means of controlling overpopulation of companion animals. We have a small staff, no specialized equipment (like x-rays and ultrasound) and very low overhead, we only need to make enough money to cover our expenses. However, we still provide high quality surgical care for all our patients.
WHO PERFORMS THE SURGERIES?
All surgical procedures are performed by graduate veterinarians, licensed by the state of Colorado.
Our primary veterinarian is a 1986 graduate of Colorado State University and has been doing high volume, high quality spay/neuter since 2004.
WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?
Cats receive an injection of a combination of anesthetic, tranquilizer and pain medication, females receive an endotracheal (breathing) tube and gas anesthetic until the surgery has been completed. Males receive only the injection but the surgery is completed while the anesthetic effect of this injection is in full force.
Dogs receive a preanesthetic injection of tranqulizer and pain medication then another injection to make them sleepy enough to place an endotracheal tube. They are maintained on gas anesthetic until the surgery has been completed.
Rabbits receive an injection of tranqulizer and pain medication then are given gas anesthesia by mask for the duration of the surgery.
DO THE ANIMALS RECEIVE PAIN MEDICATION?
All animals receive pain medication as part of their anesthetic protocol. They also receive oral pain medication to go home after surgery (included in the price).
WHAT IS THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE?
Male cats: Both testicles are removed through an incision made in the scrotum. There are no sutures; the scrotum will simply heal and decrease in size within 1-2 weeks. Larger/older cats may have more swelling making it appear that the testicles are still present….they are not!
Female cats: An incision is made on the abdomen. Both ovaries and the uterus are removed through this incision. The incision is closed using 2 layers of absorbable suture. The skin is tattooed then sealed with a layer of surgical tissue adhesive. No suture removal is necessary. The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been spayed.
Male dogs: Both testicles are removed through an incision made in the scrotum. In young/small dogs tattoo ink is applied and the incision is sealed with surgical tissue adhesive. In large dogs the incision may be sutured under the skin, then tattooed and sealed with surgical tissue adhesive. The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been neutered.
(Dr. Mackie of Animal Birth Control in Los Angeles)
Female dogs: An incision is made on the abdomen. Both ovaries and the uterus are removed through this incision. The incision is closed using 2 layers of absorbable suture. The skin is tattooed then sealed with a layer of surgical tissue adhesive. No suture removal is necessary. The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been spayed.
Male Rabbits: Each testicle is removed through a separate incision on the scrotum. The incisions are tattooed and sealed with surgical tissue adhesive. No suture removal is necessary. The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been neutered.
Female Rabbits: An incision is made on the abdomen. Both ovaries and the uterus are removed through this incision. The incision is closed using 2 layers of absorbable suture. The skin is tattooed then sealed with a layer of surgical tissue adhesive. No suture removal is necessary. The tattoo helps others identify that this animal has been spayed.
Canine Vasectomy: This procedure is intended primarily for those owners who are opposed to removal of the gonads (testicles) but who would like to prevent their dogs from reproducing. The skin incision is made in front of the scrotum, the testicular cord is located and brought through the skin. The tissue surrounding the cord is removed and the vas deferens is identified. The vas deferens is ligated (tied with suture) in two locations and the tissue between the ties is removed (approximately 1/2″ of vas deferens is removed to prevent transport of sperm from the testicle). The cord is replaced and the skin incision is closed with suture and tissue adhesive. No tattoo is applied as the dog has not been “neutered.” This surgery is not intended to be reversible.
***IMPORTANT*** Vasectomy does not remove the testicles therefore it does not remove testosterone, the male sex hormone which stimulates “male” behaviors in the dog. To all intents and purposes the dog will remain “fully male” but will be sterile and unable to father puppies on the females he mates with. He will continue to show male behaviors such as aggression and marking of territory, if he encounters a female in heat he will try to breed her. He will have his testicles so will be considered an intact male by city/county licensing entities (meaning higher fees for licensing). He will still be at risk for testicular cancer and hormone induced prostate disease. The vasectomy surgery is not intended to be reversible.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY ANIMAL TATTOOED?
Yes, if you don’t want the tattoo, you will have to go elsewhere for the spay/neuter surgery.(Unless your male dog is having a vasectomy.)
The purpose of the tattoo is to provide positive identification that the pet has been surgically altered. This will help prevent unnecessary surgery in the future if the pet should ever find its way into the shelter system.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF SURGERY?
Any anesthetic procedure carries some risk but SpayToday uses the same drugs as many other veterinarians and provides monitoring by trained personnel during and after the procedure to reduce the chance of anesthetic/surgical death.
Other issues include:
Females:
Incision site seroma–buildup of fluid around the incision, sometimes will leak bloody fluid from the incision, not serious but should be examined by a veterinarian; often due to too much activity after surgery
Herniation of abdominal fat through the incision site-rare and often due to too much activity after surgery
Males:
Scrotal hematoma–buildup of blood within the scrotal sac; bruising around the area; may or may not be painful; often due to licking and/or too much activity after surgery
ARE VACCINES REQUIRED?
SpayToday recommends regular veterinary visits and vaccinations but does not require vaccinations prior to surgery.
Vaccines are offered at the time of surgery if your animal needs them.
WHY SHOULD I SPAY/NEUTER MY PET?
There are several health benefits related to spaying and neutering but the main reason for spay/neuter is to prevent the birth of unwanted kittens and puppies. The Denver metro area euthanizes at least 40,000 healthy cats/dogs/ kittens/puppies each year because there are not enough homes for them.
Be part of the solution,
Have your pet spayed or neutered.