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1546 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and Neutering

Keep pets healthy with spaying and neutering service

There are many excellent reasons besides population control to have your pet spayed or neutered. Rest assured, your best friend is in good hands with compassionate spaying and neutering services at San Marco Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, FL.

The procedure

In a spay surgery (ovariohysterectomy), a female’s ovaries and uterus are removed through a small abdominal incision. This stops estrus cycles or “heats” that attract males, decrease the risk of mammary tumors, and decrease the risk of a uterus infection causing the need for an emergency surgery (pyometra).

A male is neutered by removing both testicles through a small incision on the scrotum. This helps reduce “spraying” or “marking territory” and reduces the chance of an enlarged prostate that can cause a urinary obstruction with the need for an emergency surgery. In either case of spaying or neutering, the altered animal can no longer produce offspring, which greatly helps population control and eliminates the risk of unwanted litters.

At San Marco Animal Hospital, dogs and female cats rest comfortably on a heated pad during surgery. Your pet is under general anesthesia and intubated while the procedure is performed so he or she will not feel a thing. Vital signs are continually monitored to ensure a safe anesthetic procedure. Surgery typically takes about an hour for females and half an hour for males.

Shortly after the anesthesia, your pet will be awake and able to move around. Complications are rare, so you can likely take your pet home the same day and will need to work hard to keep your pet quiet at home while they heal! We recommend your pet wear an e collar, avoid bathing, and limit their exercise for at least 2 weeks while the area heals. We often see our clients back in two weeks, or sooner if any concerns arise, to ensure the site has healed properly before allowing pets to return to normal activity.

Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

Spaying and neutering are safe for healthy dogs and cats as young as eight weeks or over two pounds in body weight to:

  • Avoid unwanted litter.
  • Improve overall health by reducing or eliminating the risk of some cancers.
  • Increase lifespan by up to 23%
  • Decrease tendency to roam and the associated risk of being struck by a vehicle or becoming lost.
  • Reduce aggressive behavior and marking.
  • Cut veterinary costs of acquiring unnecessary cancer or emergency. The expense of an emergency c-section, treating a pet with reproductive cancer, or injuries obtained if hit by a car all cost many times more than the fee for a spay or neuter.

Call 904-516-9767 to schedule spaying and neutering.

Dr. Venkat Gutta
Dr. Venkat Gutta

Dr. Venkat Gutta

San Marco Animal Hospital

Dr. Venkat Gutta moved to the US almost two decades ago to further his passion for veterinary science. Having earned a Master's Degree in Animal Science in Georgia and having completed the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam, he completed clinical rotations at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Gutta then received his license to practice in Florida. For over a decade, he served as an associate veterinarian at the Banfield Pet Hospital. He benefitted from a great amount of exposure and experience, especially in high-quality veterinary medicine and surgeries for soft tissue injuries. To date, Dr. Gutta strives to be approachable to his clients and ensure that they have complete awareness and understanding of the health issues that are faced by their furry friends. His special interests lie in skin issues, behavioral problems, senior pet wellness, nutritional counseling, preventive care, and wellness examinations, particularly relevant to canine and feline medicine. Today Dr. Gutta continues to keep himself updated about modern advances in veterinary science through his memberships in the Jacksonville Veterinary Medical Society and American Veterinary Medical Association.

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