Spay and Neuter Surgery in Bedford: What to Expect on Surgery Day

Booking your pet's spay or neuter is a big step, and it is normal to feel a little nervous about surgery day. Knowing what will happen, from drop off to pickup, usually makes it a lot easier.

This guide walks through how spay and neuter surgery works at Vetcetera Animal Hospital in Bedford, why the procedures are good for your pet's long term health, and what to expect when they come home.

Why spay or neuter your pet?

Spaying a female pet prevents unwanted pregnancies and contributes to a longer, healthier life. It protects against serious health issues, including bacterial infections, reproductive tract diseases and certain cancers. You also will not have to manage heat cycles.

Neutering a male pet prevents unwanted litters and significantly reduces the risk of prostate and testicular cancer. It can also reduce behaviours such as roaming, aggression and marking territory.

One worry we hear often is whether surgery will change a pet's personality. It does not. Your pet will still be the same dog or cat you know and love.

Safety comes first: before surgery

Every surgical patient at Vetcetera has a thorough physical examination and pre-anesthetic testing before their procedure. These results help our veterinarians create the safest anesthetic plan for that specific pet. Our in-house diagnostic lab lets us evaluate organ health and blood cell counts quickly.

To help your visit go smoothly, you can fill out our surgery form ahead of time. You will find it with our other forms on the patient portal page.

What surgery day looks like

Here is how a typical spay or neuter day works at our hospital:

1. Morning drop off. Your pet arrives in the morning, and the procedure is scheduled for later that morning.
2. Surgery and monitoring. We monitor your pet closely throughout surgery and provide pain management for their recovery.
3. Recovery at the hospital. Your pet stays with us during the day so our team can keep an eye on them as they wake up and rest.
4. Pickup and home care review. We schedule a pickup time so we can go over home care instructions with you and answer any questions.

Helping your pet recover at home

Before you leave, we will explain exactly how to care for your pet over the next few days and what to watch for. Follow those instructions closely, keep your pet calm, and call us if anything seems off or you are unsure about something. We would much rather hear from you than have you worry.

If something urgent comes up after hours, our contact page lists the emergency hospitals in the Halifax area that are available when we are closed.

Other surgeries we offer

Spays and neuters are some of our most common procedures, but our surgical services cover a wide range of routine and more complex cases.

Lump and mass removal. Soft tissue surgery covers procedures unrelated to bone, and removing lumps is one of the most common. Most lumps we remove are benign, but some are more serious. Finding and removing cancerous growths early can greatly improve the outcome, which is one more reason regular checkups matter.

Eye surgery. We can surgically address some eye problems, such as chronic infections or entropion, a condition where the eyelashes rub against the cornea. Surgery can improve comfort, lower the risk of corneal scarring and help long term vision.

When a case calls for advanced training or equipment, we refer patients to board-certified veterinary surgeons so they get the best possible outcome. See our surgery services page for more.

Common questions about spay and neuter surgery

Will spaying or neutering change my pet's personality?

No. Spaying or neutering will not change who your pet is, although neutering can help reduce behaviours like roaming and marking.

How long will my pet stay at the hospital?

Your pet arrives in the morning and stays with us through the day for monitoring and recovery. We will arrange a pickup time with you.

Is my pet tested before anesthesia?

Yes. Every surgical patient has a physical exam and pre-anesthetic testing so we can plan the safest anesthetic for them.

Will I get an estimate before surgery?

Yes. We provide a detailed estimate and review your options with you before any procedure. Payment plans are available through Humm on our financing page.

More from our team

You may also want to read about why every dental procedure starts with x-rays and how we build a vaccine schedule for dogs and cats.

Book a surgical consultation in Bedford

If you have questions about spaying or neutering your dog or cat, our team is happy to talk it through. Request an appointment or call Vetcetera Animal Hospital at (902) 450-4973. We are at 1144 Bedford Highway, Bedford, Nova Scotia.