Visit Our Colorado Springs, CO, Spay and Neuter Clinic

Each year, 6.3 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters nationwide, with nearly 1 million euthanized due to overpopulation. At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic in Colorado Springs, we see many pets that never get a chance at a loving home.

We strongly advocate for spaying and neutering as the most humane way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and health risks while helping control the animal population. Our veterinary hospital offers affordable spay and neuter services, and our compassionate team is committed to explaining the benefits and ensuring the procedure is done humanely.

Understanding Our Colorado Spay and Neuter Services

You’ve probably heard the terms “spay” (for females) and “neuter” (for males) but only have a vague idea of what they mean. Thankfully, Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic is here to help you! Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures in which we remove your pet’s reproductive organs. Spaying or neutering provides these undeniable benefits:

AVOID PET OVERPOPULATION

Stopping pet reproduction means you don’t contribute to pet overpopulation. With millions (and thousands in Colorado Springs, CO, alone) of pets destroyed every year, this population control is essential to end needless suffering for all animals — male or female.

PROTECT YOUR PET’S HEALTH

Spaying or neutering can help your pet live a healthier, longer life. You can avoid unwanted issues that can arise in male and female pets commonly associated with their not being fixed while also reducing the risk of certain reproductive cancers or infections.

SEE BEHAVIORAL IMPROVEMENTS

Does your cat want to roam outside or mark everything with urine? Is your male pooch aggressive toward you or other dogs? Neutered male pets won’t be prone to territorial fights or conflicts. Your female dog or cat won’t be as stressed during their heat cycle.

Spaying Female Cats or Dogs in Colorado Springs

Spaying your female pet involves removing the ovaries and the uterus. Typically, a spay is completed around 4 to 6 months before your pet’s first heat cycle. However, you have options if your pet is beyond that age. After this life-saving pet service, fur babies need a week or two to recover and may need pain medication.

Benefits of Spaying Your Female Fur Baby

Spaying your female pets is a kindness that protects them from many health problems. For example, it can reduce their risk of cancer and even uterine infections. When you spay your pet, it ensures:

Elimination of Heat Cycles

Keep your female pet from feeling restless, excessive vocalization, and meeting up with males during their heat cycles, where they’re more likely to escape or run away.

Decreased Cancer or Tumors

Research from 2023 shows that non-spayed female dogs or cats are at four times the risk for developing mammary (breast) tumors or cancer if left intact.

Avoiding False Pregnancies

Having a false pregnancy can be a big issue for your female pet that can lead to more serious health risks that can be costly to treat or remedy effectively.

Neutering Your Male Dog or Cat in Colorado Springs

Neutering your dog or cat involves removing the testicles with a safe and quick surgical procedure. Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic uses effective pain medicine while neutering to keep your pet comfortable. Our veterinary hospital prides itself on providing humane and effective pet services, neutering between 6 to 9 months, because it’s the best time for your fur baby.

Advantages of Neutering Your Male Fur Baby

Neutering your male animals provides many benefits, most similar to spaying. There’s no question that your male cat or dog will be much happier and more comfortable because they’ll:

Avoid Spraying or Marking

Don’t let your pet (especially intact male cats) ruin your home or your belongings with spraying that occurs because they were not neutered, causing testosterone to spike.

Enjoy a Longer Life

Studies show neutered dogs live 18% longer, while neutered male cats live 62% longer for a much more fulfilled life expectancy as a valuable part of your family.

Be Happier and Social

Neutering your pet promotes regular social interaction with other pets and people, resulting in a stronger, longer bond and a more comfortable environment.

Here’s What You Can Expect from Spaying or Neutering Your Pet

Our team knows that taking your cat or dog in for surgery can lead to anxiety for all pet owners. As Colorado’s go-to vet clinic, we treat your fur babies with love and respect with minimal pain for every spay and neuter pet service with these three easy steps:

Step #1 - Safety First: Your fur baby’s safety is always our top priority, and we take many steps to protect your pet. We’ll do a short consultation with an exam and bloodwork to ensure no underlying health concerns before surgery.

Step #2 - Surgery Day: We assure you that your pet can undergo anesthesia without complications. Our experienced and caring staff use sterile operating techniques to protect your pet, monitoring vital signs closely to ensure they sleep peacefully and safely.

Step #3 - Recovery Time: Once we’re done with spaying or neutering and your pet is awake from their anesthesia, we’ll let you know they’re ready to come home and rest. During pickup, our staff will provide you with detailed aftercare and recovery instructions.

WHY SHOULD I SPAY OR NEUTER MY PET?

We’re always here to provide you with transparent veterinary care and information so you can feel informed about making the best decision for your pet. As a vet clinic in Colorado Springs, however, we think it’s crucial to mention that deciding to spay or neuter your pet is highly beneficial for your pet’s health and your community.

And while we can’t fix the pet overpopulation crisis, we can work together to start doing something about it as a community — one pet at a time. Instead, we can make educated choices about the health of our pets and intentional decisions about the number of fur babies in our families.

Is it Time for Your Dog to Be Neutered or Spayed?

The best time for spaying or neutering your pet is when it’s still young and has yet to reach its first heat cycle in females. We recommend waiting until your puppy is at least six months old. Our expert veterinarians and technicians will want to know more about your dog’s breed because the more it will grow to weigh, the longer we may wait.

Puppy Point #1

If your dog is a large breed like a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, or Boxer, we’ll need to know. Also, giant breeds like Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, and Irish Wolfhounds are primarily considered for spaying or neutering at 12 to 24 months old.

Puppy Point #2

Surgery for spaying or neutering could be necessary sooner for your dog, especially if they misbehave. By that, we mean getting into trouble with mounting problems, having the constant urge to wander off, running away, or acting aggressively.

Puppy Point #3

Ask your doggie daycare provider or boarding facility if they have any restrictions or rules about spaying or neutering your dog. Most places in Colorado Springs generally require intact animals to undergo spay or neuter treatments before going there.

Is Your Cat Ready for Spaying or Neutering?

Like dogs, cats benefit most when they get fixed at a younger age when still a kitten. Cats are generally known for their troublesome behavior when still intact. Male cats can fight one another in all-out brawls, while females will howl at your door, begging to be let outside when not neutered or spayed.

Cat Cue #1

Cats are more likely to live longer and be more friendly towards their humans if they’re spayed or neutered. Your kitten will thank you when they’re older for completing this common, humane procedure.

Cat Cue #2

You’ll want to make sure your kitten has easy access to their litter box, water, and food. Our veterinarians can let you know how much to feed him or her, but it’s usually about half of a normal serving during recovery.

Cat Cue #3

Your kitty will be sore following surgery, especially around their incision. Be sure everyone in your home is extra gentle and careful in providing loving and attention. Your cat might act a little differently for one or two days.

Spay And Neuter Statistics Colorado Residents Should Know

Here are some statistics about spaying and neutering pet services to provide clear educational information about the procedure.

Fixing your pet is quite common.

Dogcancer.com estimates that about 85% of digs in the United States have been spayed or neutered, which is news we love to hear! In addition, about the same number of cats are also no longer intact.

Protect your dog or cat from other pets.

According to a study by Banfield Pet Hospital, unneutered dogs are twice as likely to be bitten by another animal compared to neutered dogs. Unneutered cats are three times more likely to be bitten by another animal than neutered cats.

Save on your pet’s veterinary bills.

Spayed or neutered pets are less likely to develop certain medical conditions. Life-threatening conditions, such as testicular cancer and uterine infections, are eliminated, saving you thousands in vet bills and possible procedures.

Keep your puppy from having 67,000 puppies.

The North Shore Animal League of America estimates that a single unspayed female dog can have about 67,000 puppies in a matter of only six years, leading to overpopulation at animal shelters or homeless pets.

Don’t let your cat have 25 kittens in one year.

24Petwatch says that one cat can give birth to about 25 kittens in just a year. The offspring can be responsible for adding a staggering 370,000 kittens over another seven years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spaying And Neutering Your Pet

Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic is always here for you and your four-legged friend. If there’s something you’d like to talk to us about, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Read some of our most common questions:

Why should I spay or neuter my Colorado Springs pet?

Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic is always here to provide transparent veterinary care and information in Colorado so you can make the best decision for your pet. As a Colorado Springs, CO vet clinic, we believe that spaying or neutering your pet benefits your pet’s health and community. Our vet center team outlined the animal control benefits above.

While a spay or neuter won’t fix the pet overpopulation crisis, we can work together to address it as a community—one pet at a time. Making informed choices about the health of our pets and intentional decisions about the number of fur babies in our families can help with pregnancy prevention and population control and do something good for the world.

Will it hurt my car or dog if I get them spayed or neutered?

We promise your pet won’t feel a thing and will be relaxed throughout their procedure. During every spay or neuter surgery, there’s safe, complete anesthetization so your dog or cat can’t feel a thing. They get some sleep while we complete this important job. Females require a more in-depth surgery, with a little more pain. We can help you with proper pain management! We know it’s hard to have any pet undergo surgery, but the harm and risks of spaying and neutering are very rare.

Is spaying or neutering going to be expensive?

No! We do everything we can to keep costs affordable for every family. The Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic knows how important it is to have your cat or dog complete the spay and neuter process. Consider this: going through this process will be much less costly than any surgeries or treatments they need later in life if they get sick. Emergency care to treat a pet’s medical condition quickly will undoubtedly strain your budget more financially. Don’t let cost hold you back; please reach out to us.

Will sterilizing my cat or dog make them overweight?

This is more of an age-old myth than a reality these days. In some cases, cats and dogs do experience a slowing of their metabolism. It does happen! However, issues with weight can generally be controlled with the proper diet and exercise. We can work out a food schedule that will work for your pet’s breed and size.

Will my pet be less affectionate after it gets fixed?

Absolutely not! What’s great about spaying and neutering takes away the hormonal, primal urge for your pet to want to mate and make more kittens or puppies. There’s a good chance your cat or dog will be a calmer, content pet. You’ll see they’re affectionate, probably as their way of saying thank you for taking such good care of them and making their well-being a priority,

Give Your Fur Babies the Spay and Neuter Services They Need

You never want to put your fur baby in harm’s way. However, making the routine decision to spay or neuter your pet is a caring choice. At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we will answer all your questions about spaying and neutering to protect your pet. Our loving team will answer questions, walk you through the process, and provide compassionate care.