Spay & Neuter

For an appointment, please call 951-674-SPAY

Low cost vaccinations and microchipping for $20 are also available from 
 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (no appointment necessary).

1. Resume your dog/cat’s normal feeding this evening around 6pm. Normal water intake is fine. Do not change your pet’s diet at this time or give any people food during the recovery period as this could cause symptoms that mimic post-anesthetic complications.
Rabbits can have access to their normal diet/water immediately. If your rabbit has not begun eating by the morning after surgery, please call us at 951-674-7729.

2. If your pet has go-home medication, please start this medication tonight around 6pm. If you have chosen “go-home” pain medication for your cat or rabbit, you do not need to administer anything as they have been given a 72-hour extended release injection today.

3. Check the incision site twice daily. Your pet’s incision was closed with absorbable sutures and surgical skin glue and therefore, there are no sutures to be removed. Redness, swelling, and bruising should be minimal. A small amount of bloody drainage from the incision can occur, especially in males, but should resolve within 24 hours. Do not put ointment on the incision or cover it with anything.

4. Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision. We strongly recommend that you purchase a buster collar for your pet to prevent this. If you choose not to purchase this collar, you may be held financially responsible for the damage your pet may cause to the incision including, but not limited to, infection and opening of the incision. The buster collar should be worn for 10 days. This does not apply to rabbits.

5. No running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity for 7 days. Keep your pet quiet. Dogs should be walked on a leash. Pets should be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry, and warm. No baths during the recovery period.

6. Cats may be abnormally excited or aggressive for the first few hours after anesthesia. We recommend that your cat be confined to a quiet room and minimize contact for the first evening after surgery. Make sure that your kitten is eating and drinking especially if they are hyperactive.

7. Appetite should return within 24 hours of surgery. Dogs may vomit a few times within a few hours after surgery. Dogs may have a slight cough for a few days after surgery from the breathing tube. Lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting lasting more than 24 hours post-op are not normal and your pet should be taken to your regular veterinarian.

8. If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call us 8am-4:30pm at 951-674-7729. Post-op recheck exams can be scheduled for issues related to the surgical site only including swelling, bleeding, discharge, or opening of the incision. Post-op recheck exams are between 9-10am and 1:30-2pm and are by appointment only. All other issues such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting, lack of eating, lethargy, etc will need to be addressed by your regular veterinarian. If you believe your pet is experiencing an emergency such as trouble breathing, pale/white gum color, or inability to stand up, please call California Veterinary Specialists Murrieta at 951-600-9803.

What is included with AFV Spay/Neuter surgeries?
Our low cost surgery includes everything you will find at any animal hospital or clinic in the country. The reason our costs are so low is we are a non-profit, our clinic is setup to perform high volumes of spay/neuter surgeries making it very efficient and lowering costs. Surgery includes:
- Preoperative exam
- Anesthesia/Sedation
- Oral pain medication
- Antibiotic Injection
- Nail Trim

When can I have this procedure done?
Both procedures can safely be performed at as early as 8 weeks of age. We are a strong proponent of juvenile or pediatric spay/neuter since it is both healthy for pets and effectively reduces pet overpopulation.

Why should I have my pet neutered?
Animal shelters, both public and private, are faced with an incredible burden: What to do with the overpopulation of dogs and cats that they cannot find homes for? Approximately 3.7 million animals are euthanized at shelters each year, due to the sheer fact that there are not enough willing adopters. Having your pet spayed or neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this tremendous burden.

What are some of the health and behavioral benefits?
Through neutering, you can help your dog or cat live a happier, healthier, longer life. Spaying eliminates the constant crying and nervous pacing of a female cat in heat. Spaying a female dog also eliminates the messiness associated with the heat cycle.

Neutering of male dogs and cats can prevent certain undesirable sexual behaviors, such as urine marking, humping, male aggression and the urge to roam. If you have more than one pet in your household, all the pets will generally get along better if they are neutered.

A long-term benefit of spaying and neutering is improved health for both cats and dogs. Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer. Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland, and greatly reduces their risk for perianal tumors.

Neutering just costs too much!
The cost of caring for a pet, including providing veterinary care, should be considered before acquiring an animal. Many animal shelters offer low-cost spay/neuter services, and there are also many low-cost spay/neuter clinics across the country. To find low-cost options in your area, call your local animal shelter. The reality is that the cost associated with providing adequate care for just one litter of puppies or kittens is often more than the cost of spaying or neutering. The cost of feeding, worming and first vaccinations for a litter can be upwards of $200 to $300. You must also consider that there could be complications with the birth that require hospitalization or surgery. You will also be faced with finding good homes for the offspring yourself or placing more animals into your local shelter. The cost of the well-being of not just your companion animal, but of future generations, should be considered.

Can't I allow my purebred dog to have just one litter?
Mixed breed or purebred -- there just aren’t enough homes. Purebred animals also often end up in shelters. In fact, 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebreds. Responsible purebred breeders have homes for their potential litters before they breed.

I don't even own a pet! Why is this my problem?
All of us are affected by animal overpopulation. Millions of tax dollars are spent annually to shelter and care for stray, abandoned and unwanted pets. Much of that money is spent to euthanize these animals when homes cannot be found. Human health is threatened by the danger of transmittable diseases (including rabies), animal bites and attacks. Property may be damaged and livestock killed when pets roam in search of food. Animal waste is proving to be a serious environment hazard, fouling yards and parks. It is only when all of us assume the responsibility for pet overpopulation that we will see any decrease in the problem.

Isn't it wrong to deprive an animal of the natural right to reproduce?
No, it’s wrong to allow these animals to reproduce millions of unwanted offspring that are eventually killed because there aren’t enough responsible homes.

If I find homes for my pet's litters, then I won't contribute to the problem, right?
Wrong. Only a finite number of people want pets. So every home you find for your pet’s offspring takes away a home from a loving animal already at a shelter.

Shouldn't every female pet have at least one litter before being spayed?
No. In fact, your pet will be healthier if she never sexually matures.

Shouldn't children experience the miracle of birth?
No. A more important lesson to teach your children would be responsible pet ownership and concern for life by explaining why their pet should not have babies.

Doesn't neutering alter an animal's personality?
No. Personality changes that may result from neutering are for the better. Not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps your pet stop roaming and decreases aggressive tendencies.

Won't animal shelters take care of the surplus animals?
No. Shelters do their best to place animals in loving homes, but the number of homeless animals far exceeds the number of willing adopters. This leaves many loving and healthy animals in our community that must be euthanized as the only humane solution to this tragic dilemma. Only spaying and neutering can end the overpopulation problem.