Many pet owners ponder why they should pay a higher price to have their pet spayed or neutered at their local veterinary clinic when they could get the “same” service for a low cost or even for free at a spay and neuter clinic in Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, while ideally these services provide the same outcome, the process is not the same. At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic in Colorado Springs, we believe in empowering our neighbors with transparent information so each pet owner may make informed decisions. Below are a few key differences between having your pet spayed or neutered at either a low cost spay and neuter clinic in Colorado Springs or with your local veterinarian.
Are Low Cost Spay Clinics Safe?
While clinics offering free spay and neuter services originated from the need for pet population control and are typically funded by grants and state funding. Low cost or free clinics focus on basic services such as spay and neuter or vaccinations. Unfortunately, the overwhelming amount of animals taken to these low cost clinics combined with low funding often equates to limited services and substandard care.
Cons Of Low Cost Spay
1.) Low Cost Clinics Often Do Not Take Blood Work
Low cost clinics are not required to take blood work or do a panel which detects potential surgical concerns for pets before they undergo spay or neuter surgery. While most young animals are typically in good health, there are still potential concerns involved with surgery that could be easily prevented with blood work. Low cost clinics typically do not undergo blood work due to the overwhelming amount of pet patients that need to be seen in addition to the associated added cost.
2.) Low Cost Clinics are Not Equipped to Provide Pain Medications or IV Fluids
Due to expense and time involved, many low cost clinics are not able to offer pain medications before or after your pet’s surgery. In order to keep costs down and increase the amount of surgeries that can be done per day, most low cost clinics are not able to utilize IV catheters or administer IV fluids during surgery. IV fluids are typically used in surgical procedures to prevent dehydration and stabilize blood pressure. Not only are pain medications and IV fluids utilized to enhance the comfort your pet may experience, but these tools allow for smoother recovery and decreased risk for complications.
3.) Low Cost Clinics May Not Be Able to Monitor Vitals During Surgery
Low cost clinics are often understaffed especially compared to the overwhelming number of patients they receive each day. These staff members are well trained and doing the best they can with the limited resources and time they have to work with. Due to these limitations, the majority of low cost clinics are not able to monitor CO2 levels, blood pressure, body temperature, and more throughout the surgery.
Neutering In Colorado Springs | Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic
Free spay and neuter clinics in Colorado Springs truly do the best they can with the resources given. These staffs care deeply for the animals they look after, but there are advantages to taking your pet to your local veterinary clinic to be spayed or neutered. At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic in Colorado Springs, we value your pet’s health while respecting your wallet. We are fortunate to have the resources to take extra precautions to make sure your pet is safe before, during, and after their spay or neuter surgery. Ponderosa has the ability to provide post-operative care and we will have your pet’s information on file to ensure there will not be any complications based on their medical history. Contact us today if you have any questions about how Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic may help keep your pet safe and healthy while respecting the community’s pet population control needs.
