Bringing home a new puppy or kitten fills your house with joy, and it also brings a long list of decisions. Somewhere between the first vaccines and the first chewed shoe, the question of spaying or neutering comes up. You want to do right by your pet, yet you may feel unsure about the best timing, what the surgery involves, and how your newest family member will feel afterward.
At Oakland Park Animal Hospital, we understand those worries because we have walked pet parents through them for decades. Our pet surgery services in Oakland Park have supported families across Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, and Fort Lauderdale since 1987, and we follow one simple philosophy: your pet is our pet. We are happy to explain how spay and neuter surgery works at our hospital so you can feel confident before you ever step into our exam room.
Spaying is the surgical sterilization of a female pet, and neutering is the surgical sterilization of a male pet. Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia, so your pet rests comfortably through the surgery. We perform these procedures for dogs and cats, and we treat each pet the way we would want our own treated.
Every surgery at our hospital begins with an appointment, a physical exam, and a written estimate before anything is scheduled. If you are still sorting out how sterilization fits into your pet’s first year, our puppy and kitten care team can help you map out each step.
Many families choose sterilization first to prevent unwanted litters, which is a major reason so many animals end up without homes. The American Veterinary Medical Association supports pediatric sterilization of dogs, cats, and rabbits to reduce the number of unwanted animals, and it notes that modern pediatric anesthesia and surgery have a strong record for safety, effectiveness, and low complication rates. Beyond population control, there are health and household benefits worth talking through with your veterinarian.
Spaying removes the heat cycle and the chance of pregnancy, and it greatly lowers the risk of pyometra, a serious uterine infection. Neutering removes the risk of testicular cancer and may reduce roaming and marking in some pets. Every pet is different, and the balance of benefits and risks can vary with breed, size, and age, so we talk through what makes sense for your companion instead of applying a one-size-fits-all rule.
Timing is one of the questions we hear most often. The AVMA encourages veterinarians to rely on their best professional judgment and the current scientific literature when recommending an age for each individual animal. We take the same approach, considering your pet’s species, breed, size, and overall health before we suggest a date.
Before any procedure, your pet receives a pre-surgical exam and bloodwork so we can build an anesthetic plan made for your pet, not a generic one. This step lets us confirm healthy organ function and catch concerns that could affect anesthesia. If we notice anything unusual, we may recommend additional testing or a short delay so we can address it first.
During the procedure, a trained team member monitors your pet’s heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, and temperature throughout, so we can respond quickly if anything changes. We also review your pet’s medical history and current medications to build a surgical plan around your pet’s specific needs.
Dr. Spencer Ratnoff has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 40 years, and that experience shapes how our entire team approaches surgery. Because we are owner-operated rather than corporate, the same doctors who get to know your pet at wellness visits often oversee surgical care and recovery.
Recovery looks different for every pet, but our goal is always the same: getting your pet back to feeling like themselves as quickly and comfortably as possible. Before you head home, we walk you through the following:
We make ourselves available for questions during recovery instead of sending you home with a printed sheet and nothing else. Watching a pet heal can feel stressful, especially the first time.
We believe cost should never keep a pet from getting needed care. Our financing options include Cherry, CareCredit, and Zoetis Petcare rewards, so you have flexible ways to pay for surgery.
Puppy and kitten parents may also like our Stay Well Pet Plan, which bundles core vaccines, discounted exam fees, half-off in-house bloodwork, and savings on extras like bathing and nail trims into one predictable annual cost.
Choosing a surgical provider for your pet deserves careful thought, and we want you to feel confident in your decision. Oakland Park Animal Hospital has been owner-operated since 1987, and our team focuses on thorough evaluation, clear communication, and four decades of hands-on veterinary experience, not rushed appointments or generic protocols.
If your puppy or kitten is ready for the next step, or if you simply want to talk through timing first, we encourage you to reach out to our team. We will walk you through what to expect and schedule a consultation so your pet gets the individualized care they deserve.
Schedule a visit with our compassionate team and let’s partner in your pet’s lifelong well-being.
