ROUTINE SURGERIES

Maple Veterinary Hospital veterinarians perform routine surgeries such as spays, neuters, dental cleanings, and declaws, Monday through Friday.

SPAYS & NEUTERS                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Our veterinarians recommend spaying a female or neutering a male at 6 months of age for all cats and dogs that are not part of a breeding program.  We feel that is the most appropriate time based on physical development and it is in the best interests of our patients.  Older pets can be spayed or neutered at any age providing that they are medically healthy at the time of surgery.

 

BENEFITS OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING

Male Dogs

  • Reduces the instinct to roam.

  • Reduces dog aggression.

  • Greatly reduces urine marking in the house.

  • Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.

  • Reduces the risk of perianal tumors, perineal hernias, and prostatic disease.

  • Prevents accidental or careless breeding of unwanted litters.

Female Dogs

  • Correlations with mammary gland tumors when older.  Every heat cycle increases the risk of breast cancer.

  • Eliminates heat cycles and prevents accidental or careless breeding of unwanted litters.

  • Will not attract male dogs and will not encourage roaming to find male dogs.

  • Eliminates the risk of ovarian/uterine cancer.

  • Eliminates the risk of pyometra (uterine infection).

Male Cats

  • Greatly reduces the likelihood of urinating outside of the litter box (spraying).

  • Reduces odor of urine.

  • Reduces the instinct to roam.

  • Decreases aggression.

Female Cats

  • Eliminates heat cycles (yowling, etc.).

  • Eliminates ovarian/uterine cancer.

  • Eliminates pyometra (uterine infection).

  • Greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer when spayed young.

  • Reduces the instinct to roam.

 

RECOMMENDED TIME-FRAME FOR STERILIZATION IS 6 MONTHS OF AGE

The following are several reasons why veterinarians at Maple Veterinary Hospital recommend that spays and neuters be done at 6 months of age:

  • Completion of the vaccination schedule prior to major surgery.
  • Pet is allowed to mature both physically and emotionally.
  • Safer anesthetic and surgical procedure for small, sick or weak pets.
  • Minimal research and long-term studies available on post-surgical effects of early sterilization at ages less than 6 months.
  • Traditionally the accepted and appropriate age.

 

Maple Veterinary Hospital veterinarians may authorize individual exceptions to these recommendations.  It may be appropriate in large or giant breed dogs or in pets that exhibit early behavior problems (aggression or urinary marking) to spay or neuter earlier than 6 months of age.

 

HUMANE SOCIETY PROMOTION OF EARLY STERILIZATION

The Michigan Humane Society promotes early sterilization to control careless or accidental breeding resulting in overpopulation.  It is estimated that 15 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in shelters.  While we support the importance of responsible spaying and neutering to prevent overpopulation, we feel the benefits of surgical sterilization at 6 months of age outweigh the population control benefits of doing this procedure at a younger age.

 

The Michigan Human Society will extend the terms of the sterilization contract to 6 months in accordance with the recommendations of a veterinarian.  As your pet's primary care veterinarians, we will be happy to contact the Humane Society to obtain a surgical extension for any of our patients.

 

DENTISTRY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Good dental care is as important for cats and dogs as it is for people.  Our veterinarians perform a dental exam at the time of physical examination.  Build up of plaque and tartar is evaluated and a time period for a dental procedure is recommended.  Unlike human dental procedures, pet dental procedures are scheduled as an outpatient anesthetic procedure.  Patients are admitted into the hospital early in the morning and are discharged late in day.

 

CAT DECLAW                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Some cats behave well throughout their lives, while others want to scratch, climb up drapes, and destroy furniture and other objects with their claws.  Our veterinarians want your cat to be a integral member of your family.  If your cat will be handled routinely by young children, if you have leather furniture, or if you have other special needs, having your cat declawed may save it from being isolated to the basement or another controlled environment in your house. 

 

Also, it is the recommendation of our veterinarians that all cats be kept indoors for their safety.  When cats are protected indoors, they do not require their claws for defensive purposes.

 

Our veterinarians take care to use a surgical procedure to remove the claw without damaging the cat's paw pads.  Following surgery, your cat's foot will have the same shape and look as it did before surgery, just minus the sharp nails.   

 

Declaws are performed as early as 6 weeks of age.  Nails are less developed in younger cats which allows kittens to bounce back from surgery faster.  Declaws are equally successful in older cats, however, the recovery period for an older cat is a little longer.

 

GENERAL SURGERY

As your pet ages or in emergency situations, your pet may require surgical assistance.  Our veterinarians perform soft tissue surgical procedures Monday through Friday to remove masses, repair lacerations, and correct other soft tissue defects. 

Maple Veterinary Hospital is available to handle emergency medical situations during normal hospital hours.  If possible, please call us to let us know the nature of your pet's emergency so that we may be prepared to assist you as soon as you arrive at the hospital.

For specialized orthopedic cases, our veterinarians will recommend a board certified orthopedic surgeon at one of the specialty centers in the area.