Pet Medical Library

Routine Procedures -- Vaccines, Neuter, Spay, Declaw

Vaccinations
At Siena Animal Hospital, we offer a 3-year schedule for most vaccines.  Each pet receives a full exam, and a consultation is made with the owner for the best vaccine protocol to meet your pet's needs.  Conditions vary from history, illness, age, indoor/outdoor, allergies, etc.  All dogs need to be current with Rabies and the Distemper/Parvo combination vaccine and usually Bordetella. Optional vaccines may include Giardia, Lyme, Leptospirosis, Porphyramonas (Dental), and Rattlesnake vaccines for dogs.  Cats need to be current on Rabies and Distemper Combination as well.  Optional vaccines are Feline Leukemia and Ringworm.   The use of FIV and FIP vaccines is controversial and not offered at Siena.  Please remember that we will explain the pros and cons of each vaccine so you can make an informed decision about your pet's care.  A full physical exam is completed prior to the vaccines to check for any other problems that may interfere with the vaccinations. 

Castration (Neuter)
Castration (neutering) is the surgical removal of the testicles from the scrotum of a male animal. Neutering a sexually immature dog or cat inhibits the development of mating and roaming behavior. Because these instincts are diminished, a neutered pet usually is more compatible with people and easier to train than an animal that has not been neutered.

Once surgery has been completed, the pet's vital signs are monitored while it is waking from the anesthesia. The pet will stay at the hospital for one day post-operatively and receive pain medication and have its temperature and incision checked daily.

Cryptorchidism occurs when one or both testicles fail to descend and are retained in the abdomen or the inguinal canal, which leads from the abdomen to the scrotum. If the retained testicle is not removed during castration, the pet may still exhibit behaviors associated with mating, though, it probably will prove to be infertile. Since there is an increase in the incidence of cancer of these testicles and since this is a genetic problem, the removal of these testicles is recommended.

The type of procedure done is determined by the location of the testes (abdomen or under the skin). The cost is determined by the location and time involved, sometimes the testes can be very difficult to find in the abdomen and considerable time can be spent searching for them.

Note: An additional fee may be charged for pets older than seven years, weigh more than 80 pounds or have other medical problems. If cryptorchidism exists and the testes are in the abdomen, then additional anesthesia and surgical fees are required.


Ovariohysterectomy (Spay)
An ovariohysterectomy (spay) is the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries from the abdomen of a female animal. The spay is the only foolproof method of birth control for female dogs and cats. It is permanent and the spayed pet no longer goes through heat cycles. Spaying also ends several problems associated with heat, including spotting and the necessity of confining females to prevent the approaches of males. The risk of mammary cancer is also reduced if a dog or cat is spayed before its first heat. Spayed pets cannot develop pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection. Finally, spaying prevents difficult pregnancy and delivery in small-breed or older pets.

Once the surgery has been completed, the pet's vital signs are monitored while it is waking from the anesthesia. The pet will stay at the hospital for two days post-operatively and receive antibiotics and have its temperature and incision checked daily.

Although an ovariohysterectomy (spay) surgery is a relatively uncomplicated operation in a young animal, with increasing age the operation becomes more complicated and more time consuming. The repeated effects of heat cycles and hormones on the uterus increases the size, fragility and blood supply of the uterus. In addition, older animals are usually larger, have more abdominal fat, and are slower to recover from anesthesia.

Dewclaw Removal
The dewclaws (pet thumbs) are often removed shortly after birth (4 - 5 days of age). If they are not, sometimes it is recommended that they be removed later in life, often at the time of other surgery such as spaying or neutering.  Since this is an area where pets can easily chew at the sutures, bandaging is usually done. This is also an area that can easily become infected, so antibiotics are often needed as well.

Bandages should be changed approximately five to seven days after surgery. Suture removal or final recheck is usually at no cost ten to fourteen days after surgery.

Declawing/Tendonectomy
Declawing can be done after your kitty is 12 weeks old or weighs more than two pounds. This procedure involves placement of a temporary tourniquet above the elbow to decrease any hemorrhage during the procedure, and use of sterile scalpel blade to surgically remove the third bone of the toe, which includes the claw. Because this is essentially an amputation, the post-operative period is quite painful; we control this pain by aggressive pain medications both in-hospital and to go home.

Tendonectomy is a less painful alternative to declawing your cat. This procedure involves severing the extensor tendon, which allows your cat to extend its claws. Cats cannot damage you or your furniture, etc. without extending their claws. The procedure is less expensive, less painful, and has a lower risk of complications, however, there is a downside. You must be willing to trim your cat’s toenails at least twice monthly, since the inability to extend the claws also results in an inability to sharpen the claws.
Regardless of which procedure you choose, snug fitting bandages are applied to the paws to reduce bleeding once the surgery is completed.  After bandage removal and depending upon your pet’s age and the procedure you have chosen, your kitty will spend either one or two additional evenings with us to assure limited activity and adequate initial healing of the paws before being sent home.  Once home, you will also need to use paper litter (Yesterday's News, shredded paper) instead of regular litter which can cause excessive inflammation and infection to the incisions on the feet.

Both procedures include hospitalization, anesthesia, operating room use and supplies, surgeon’s fee, pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative pain relievers, and a recheck exam in ten days to two weeks. Cats over one year of age have more mature claws and larger vessels on their feet. This increases surgery time and increases the cost of the procedure.

Commonly Asked Questions:
Q: Is it safe for my cat to go outside after declawing?
A: No. But no kitty with or without claws is safe outside. The number one killer of outdoor cats is cars. Other outside dangers are diseases that can be transmitted to people as well as to other cats and dogs.
Q: Can my cat climb trees after being declawed?
A: Yes, if the tree is growing at an angle and your cat is sufficiently motivated.